Description
PLINY THE ELDER.
Historiæ Naturalis Libri XXXVII.
Leiden: [Bonaventure and Abraham] Elzevier, 1635–1640. — 2 sets in 4 volumes, 12mo, 122 x 69: (12 ff.), 654 pp., (9 ff.); 631 pp., (8 ff.); 582 pp., (9 ff.). Dark green long-grain morocco, with a gilt fillet framing the edges, gilt filigree fleurons at the corners and a gilt coat of arms in the centre on the covers; richly decorated ribbed spine, gilt fillet on the inside, gilt edges (19th-century binding).
Willems, no. 428 – Rahir, no. 420.
The only edition of Pliny’s *Natural History* published by the Elzeviers, regarded ‘rightly as one of their masterpieces’ according to Willems. It is adorned with a titleplate engraved by Cornelis-Claezoon Duysend after a composition by the painter Pieter Kouwenhorn (1599–1654).
This is the only work by Pliny the Elder to have survived, divided into 37 books. Africa is one of the major subjects of Book V, devoted to ethnography, which begins as follows: ‘Africa was called Libya by the Greeks, and the sea that washes its shores, the Libyan Sea; it is bounded by Egypt. No region has fewer gulfs; the coasts stretch obliquely along a line extending from the west. The names of its peoples and cities are, perhaps more so than those of any other country, impossible for foreigners to pronounce…’
Africa is presented here from a geographical, ethnographical and naturalist perspective. Pliny lists the ‘locations, populations, seas, cities, harbours, mountains, rivers, dimensions, and peoples—both present and past’—drawing on a variety of sources: travellers’ accounts, Agrippa’s maps, the *Formulae provinciarum* (Roman administrative lists), and direct or indirect observations. East Africa is briefly mentioned in Book VI.
A fine copy from the library of George Spencer-Churchill, 5th Duke of Marlborough (1766–1840), bearing his coat of arms on the covers.
Minor wear and scuffing from use.
Provenance:
George Spencer-Churchill, with his coat of arms on the covers. – Francis Kettaneh, with bookplate.
Included, in matching binding:
- PLINY THE YOUNGER. Epistolarum Libri X & Panegyricus. Leiden: Elzevier, 1640. — In-18, (12 ff.), 414 pp., (14 ff.).
First Elzevirian edition, printed by Bonaventure and Abraham Elzevir.
Minor scuffing from normal wear and tear.
See original version (French)
Auto-translation. Refer to original language for legal validity.
About the sale
Claude Mozis Library – Black Africa and the African diaspora
Auction location
Auction time
10/21/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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