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. 3^b 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.
Pages:
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56