Fol. 1, blank. Fol. 2a: CAIVS PLYNIVS MARCO SVO SALVTEM. Fol. 4a: CAII PLYNII SECVNDI NATVRALIS HISTORIAE LIBER .I. CAIVS PLYNIVS SECVNDVS NOVOCOMENSIS DOMITIANO SVO SALVTEM. PRAEFATIO. Fol. 21a: CAII PLINII SECVNDI NATVRALIS HISTORIAE LIBER .II. Fol. 355a, Colophon: CAII PLYNII SECVNDI NATVRALIS HISTORIAE LIBRI TRICESIMI SEPTIMI ET VLTIMI FINIS IMPRESSI VENETIIS PER NICOLAVM IENSON GALLICVM .M.CCCC.LXXII. NICOLAO TRONO INCLYTO VENETIARVM DVCE. Followed by: Iohannis andreæ episcopi aleriensis ad pontificem summum Paulum secundum uenetum epistola. Fol. 356a: Hereneus lugdunensis episcopus: item Iustinus ex philosopho martyr: item cum diuo Hieronymo Eusebius cæsariensis: serio posteritatem adiurarunt: ut eorum descripturi opera conferrent diligenter exemplaria: et sollerti studio emendarent. Idem ego tum in cæteris libris omnibus tum maxime in Plynio ut fiat; uehementer obsecro: obtestor: atque adiuro: ne ad priora menda: et tenebras inextricabiles tanti sudoris opus relabatur. Instauratum aliquantulum sub romano pontifice maximo Paulo secundo ueneto. Fol. 356b, blank.
Folio. Quires [112, 28, 3-810, 912, 10-1510, 168, 17-2710, 286, 29-3010, 31-358, 3612, 378], 356 leaves, first blank, 50 lines to the page, roman letter, without signatures, catchwords or pagination. Two- to twelve-line spaces left for capitals, with guide-letters; also spaces for occasional Greek words. Greek type sparingly used, oftener transliteration in roman. Two pinholes. Hain *13089. Proctor 4087. Morgan Cat. II, p. 39, n. 297.
The rubrication of the present copy is not only elaborate but also of unusual merit. The first of the twelve-line initials of the thirty-seven books is finely illuminated in gold and colors. The others, in the outlines of which grotesque features are occasionally introduced, are set off by skilful pen-work, harmonizing in general effect, but carefully avoiding repetition in details. The chapter initials also, a thousand or more in number, in alternate red and blue, or red and green, have much variety and grace. The initial L, for example, occurring twenty-eight times in the first book, is never repeated in the same form and color. The blank fol. 3b is occupied by the name Jesus in very large and ornate characters, in different colors, surrounded by scroll and figure decoration. The Bagneri arms, included in the ornamentation of the first initial, point to an early ownership of the volume, and the arms of the Antella family of Florence at the foot of the first page, to a later ownership.
The introductory epistle of the younger Pliny, describing his uncle's manner of life, was addressed to his friend Macer, who here becomes Marcus by the easy transposition of Macro to Marco. Less easily explained is the substitution in the dedication of Domitian for his brother Titus Vespasian, to whom Pliny dedicated the work.
Two editions of the Naturalis Historia preceded this, the first printed by John of Speier in 1469, with a five years' privilege from the Venetian senate, which expired at his death in 1470, the second by Sweynheym and Pannartz, Rome, 1470. With the first of these, Jenson's edition agrees in the number of pages and of lines to the page. From the second he reprinted the letter addressed by the editor Johannes Andreas, Bishop of Aleria, to his patron Pope Paul II., and the earnest appeal for care on the part of any who should reprint his Pliny, "ne ad priora menda et tenebras inextricabiles tanti sudoris opus relabatur." Fifteen more editions were printed before the close of the 15th century. Jenson's Pliny is generally regarded as the finest production of his press. The type is his first font.
The Wodhull copy, bought of Thomas Payne, book-seller, in 1791 for £12.12s., and bound by Roger Payne in russia gilt, with Wodhull arms on side, at the additional cost of £1. Leaf 15 1/4 × 10 1/4 in.
12. NONIUS MARCELLUS. De compendiosa doctrina. Venetiis, Nicolaus Jenson, 1476.
Fol. 1, blank. Fol. 2-20, alphabetical index. Fol. 21, blank. Fol. 22a: NONII MARCELLI PERIPATETICI TIBVRTICENSIS COMPENDIOSA DOCTRINA AD FILIVM DE PROPRIETATE SERMONVM. Fol. 194a, Colophon: NONII MARCELLI PERIPATETICI TIBVRTICENSIS COMPENDIOSA DOCTRINA AD FILIVM DE PROPRIETATE SERMONVM IMPRESSA VENETIIS INDVSTRIA ATQVE IMPENDIO NICOLAI IENSON GALLICI. .M.CCCC.LXXVI. Fol. 194b, blank.
Folio. Sign. a-c10, d-y8, z12, 194 leaves, 1 and 21 blank, 34 lines to the page, roman letter, without catchwords or pagination. Seven- and eight-line spaces left for capitals, some with guide-letters. The type is Jenson's first roman trimmed or recast the second time on a slightly smaller body. Greek words as a rule printed with Greek type, not transliterated. Hain 11901. Proctor 4098.
On the first page of text a large initial S in gold on a panel of color, with marginal decoration. Other large chapter initials in red and blue alternately. Numerous paragraph-marks in alternate red and blue. Blank first leaf wanting.