Gaius Plinius Secundus, Jean Hardouin (ed.), "Caii Plinii Secundi Historiae naturalis libri XXXVII", Paris, typis A.-U. Coustelier, 1723. Small Folio (26 x 39cm). Complete in two (2) Volumes including the Index Primus Geographicus. pp. [30], 790 + 1289, [1]. Including a folding map and 11 full-page engravings of medallions and ancient coins. Wonderful chapter and initial engraved vignettes & ornaments. Contemporary full calf, red edges, spine with raised bands and rich decorations in gilt. External wear along extremities and small losses at corners. Losses of spine upper and lower parts. Occasional spotting inside. Gaius Plinius Secundus is considered one of the foremost authorities on science in ancient Europe. Plinys great encyclopedia of nature and art in 37 books, the Historia Naturalis, is the only one of his works that has been preserved. Very scarce edition, edited by the French jesuit & classical scholar Jean Hardouin. On the advice of Jean Garnier, Hardouin edited Pliny, a task that required five years to complete.