Natural History

Abstract

Pliny, Natural History, ed. Desiderius Erasmus. Pr. Iohann Froben, Basel, March 1525. Erasmus’ prefatory letter is dated February the same year. By this time Erasmus had long enjoyed both a close business relationship and personal friendship with Basel’s most famous printer. At the head of the title page is an early ownership inscription, ‘Liber Willelmi ?Chisworth 1559’, cancelled; immediately below is ‘Simon Pett Magdalenensis pretium xvj s.’ On the verso, c. 1700-1800, is ‘Mag: Coll: Duplicate / Sold by T. Winchester’. From Magdalen College, Oxford; apparently not an exact duplicate, though the College has several other early printed editions of the same work. Simon or Simeon Pett was fellow of Magdalen 1572-1588, d. 1611. T(homas) Winchester was fellow 1747-61, vice-president from 1754, d. 1780. Near the head of the foredge is inked PL, showing that the book was shelved with the foredge facing outwards. The binding, by Andrew Chalmers, binder to the University of Tasmania Library, dates from 1962, but incorporates, 2/3 of the way up the foredge of the rear board, a brass chain-staple from the previous binding. From the Library of Christ College. Uncatalogued.