• PLINY THE ELDER, HISTORIA NATURALIS. Venice: Johannes de Spira, [before 18 September] 1469

Collections:
  • Incunabula at Princeton
  • In Principio: Europe's First Printers, 1450-1470
  • Italy Grouping
  • Treasures of Rare Book Division
Curatorial Note:
  • In 1469 printing was established for the first time not merely in a city on a river, but in a major mercantile center with a seacoast harbor. On 18 September of that year, the Venetian government granted Johannes de Spira, a German émigré from Speyer, the exclusive privilege to print books within their city for the next five years. He had already published two editions of Cicero’s Epistolae ad familiares as well as Pliny’s Historia naturalis, using a good roman typeface. The exhibited copy of Pliny’s compendium of natural history was illuminated in the Italian “white-vine” style and bears an unidentified armorial. It was bound in the 18th century for Göttweig Abbey in Austria.
Bookseller:
  • Leo S. Olschki (Firm)
Author:
  • Pliny, the Elder
Source acquisition:
  • Princeton copy 1 presented by Junius S. Morgan.
Uniform title:
  • Naturalis historia
Provenance:
  • Princeton copy 1 has bookplates of Brayton Ives and Sir John Hayford Thorold and armorial bookplate of Syston Park (1884, sale lot 1556, to Quaritch for £57).
  • Princeton copy 2 has arms on front and back covers with inscription: Godefridus Dei gratia abbas Gottwicensis.
  • Princeton copy 2 has bookplate of Grenville Kane.
  • Princeton copy 3 acquired 5/13/29 from Olschki.
Former owner:
  • Bessel, Gottfried, 1672-1749
  • Kane, Grenville, 1854-1943
  • Thorold, John Hayford, Sir, 1773-1831
  • Ives, Brayton, 1840-1914
  • Morgan, Junius Spencer
  • Stift Göttweig (Steinaweg, Austria)
  • Syston Park Library (Lincolnshire, England)
Creator:
  • Pliny, the Elder
Language:
  • Latin
Call number:
  • EXKA Incunabula 1469
  • South wall 13, 2904.1469e
  • 60.3
Extent:
  • [356] leaves (the last blank) 41 cm. (fol.)
Format:
  • Book
Description:
  • All gatherings unsigned.
  • Colophon: Restituit Venetis me nuper Spira Ioannes ... .M.CCCC.LXVIIII.
  • Princeton copy 1 has initial capitals rubricated, and border on l.1a. Pages numbered in ink, but incorrectly, 232-3, 244-5 and 442-3 being repeated.
  • "First edition, extremely rare."
  • Princeton copy 1 and 2 imperfect: last blank leaf wanting.
  • Princeton copy 3 imperfect: leaves 10, 11, 354, 355 are supplied in facsimile; 2 blank leaves wanting.
Publisher:
  • [Venice, Johannes de Spira before 18 Sept.] 1469.
Subject:
  • Natural history—Pre-Linnean works
  • Armorial bindings
Binding note:
  • Princeton copy 2 in old calf with arms in gold as above; all edges speckled; clasps and catches intact.
  • Princeton copy 3 bound by Gozzi.
References:
  • Goff P-786
  • Hain-Copinger-Reichling 13087 (variation)
  • BM 15th cent., V, p. 153 (IC.19506) (variations)
Printer:
  • Johann, of Speier, -1470
  • Wendelin, of Speier, -1477?
Created:
  • 1469-01-01T00:00:00Z
Date:
  • 1469
Identifier:
  • ark:/88435/q237hx283
Location:
  • Special Collections EXKA Incunabula 1469
  • Special Collections South wall 13, 2904.1469e
  • Special Collections 60.3
Edm rights:
  • No Known Copyright
Range label:
  • Logical
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