Caii Plinii Secundi Historiae Naturalis Libri XXXVII. Quos recensuit et Notis illustravit Gabriel Brotier. Paris: J. Barbou, 1779.
The Natural History of Pliny the Elder edited by Gabriel Brotier. Paris; J. Barbou, 1779.
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A fantastic Barbou printing of Pliny’s Natural History with beautiful typography. A very attractive set in fine contemporary bindings in the Louis XVI manner with aristocratic provenance, having been kept in the same library since their original purchase in 1779; this is the first time these have come to the market. Notably, this edition contains all 37 extant books of Pliny’s Natural History, covering a huge range of topics, including geography, astronomy, art, medicine, biology, etc.
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Size: 93 x 159 mm (approx., each)
Condition:
[(2), h.t., frontis, t.p., v-xxxvi, 496pp, (2)]; [(2), h.t., t.p., 512pp, (2)]: [(2), h.t., t.p., 552pp, (2)]; [(3), h.t., t.p., 532pp, (3)]; [(2), h.t., t.p., 480pp, (2)]; [(2), h.t., t.p., 502pp, 2pp, (2)]
Contemporary fine bindings, full calf finely tooled in gilt to spines with boards ruled in gilt. A very attractive set in lovely aristocratic bindings. The tooled labels are lacking to the final volume and the labels of the third volume are dulled, but the set remains attractive. Some rubbing to bindings with partial gilt loss to spines as typical. All edges gilt, contemporaneously. All boards attached, joints rubbed, starting/cracked, but the boards remain secure. The bindings are secure and the set stands without shelf lean. Each set retains its original page marker. Bookplate of Lord Sandys to front pastedown of each volume else without ownership inscriptions or other bookplates, though with a pencil shelf reference mark to ffep versos. The two final blanks in the second volume are partially stuck together. Very clean text blocks throughout, exceptionally well preserved internally. A remarkable set, very attractive on the shelf.
