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Pliny's Natural History

Lot 260
19.10.2023 10:00UTC -05:00
Classic
Sold
$ 44 100
AuctioneerCHRISTIE'S
Event locationUSA, New York
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ID 1032915
Lot 260 | Pliny's Natural History
Estimate value
$ 12 000 – 18 000
SWIFT, Jonathan (1667-1745) – PLINIUS Secundus, Gaius (23-79 CE). Historiae naturalis libri xxxvii. Leiden: Elzevir, 1635.

Jonathan Swift's copy of Pliny's Natural History, with passages of special interest marked out. This little schoolboy set of Pliny's famous encyclopedia was owned by Swift, Dean of Saint Patrick's, Dublin. Swift has written in Latin on the flyleaf of volume one that he has marked passages worthy of closer attention with little dots in the margin.

Unsurprisingly for the author of the fantastical Gulliver's Travels, many sections addressing ancient geography, unusual creatures, and the monstrous races of man are selected. Scholars have pointed out the similarity of the passage of Gulliver where the title character explains English society to the king of Brobdingnag to Pliny's account of the visit of Annius Plocamus to the Sri Lankan court. Sure enough, that passage bear a dot. Swift’s other works as well as his letters reveal an engagement with (and enjoyment of) Pliny’s famous text.

This copy is also from the library of Edward Synge, either father or son. Both were Anglican clergymen in Ireland who were part of Swift’s circle. A 1738 letter from the younger Synge to Swift expresses his debt to Swift’s influence: “when I grew a great man (and by the by you helped to make me so).” Passemann, The Library and Reading of Jonathan Swift, p. 1459.

Three volumes, 16mo (125 x 76mm). First volume with engraved title, other vols with letterpress titles and small printer's devices. Contemporary yapped vellum, morocco title piece and author in ink on spine (labels a little chipped). Provenance: Jonathan Swift, 1667-1745 (signature and notes on flyleaf) – Edward Synge, either father or son, both Anglican clergymen in Ireland (armorial bookplates and signatures) – sold Bangs, 21 October 1901, lot 547.
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