[Incunabula] Plynii Secundi, Caii (Pliny the Elder)Naturalis historiaeParma: Stephanus Corallus, 1476. Edited by Philippus Beroaldus. Folio (422 x 279 mm). 356 (of 358) leaves, lacking first two printed leaves; front and rear blanks presumably eighteenth century. 50 lines, single column (table at front in single and double columns). Roman type (type: 1:111R). Initial spaces largely blank and unrubricated; initials on leaf 3r and 180r painted in, presumably in a later hand, some spaces with later paper initials pasted down. Full contemporary doeskin, heavily rubbed and worn, some portions of raised bands exposed; front hinge starting, repair in top left corner of front free endpaper; first printed leaf soiled and moderately darkened; leaves 2 and 3 moderately soiled; leaf 14 repaired in upper gutter; bottom 4 inches of margin in leaves 86-90, 126-134, 154-173, 195-216, and 227-240 replaced, presumably at same time as blanks; light to moderate dampstaining at lower fore-edge and bottom corner of final 132 leaves; scattered light to moderate spotting and soiling throughout entire volume; scattered marginalia; old catalogue description of this copy on front paste-down. Presentation copy from Sir John Pringle to Alexander Boswell (father of Johnson biographer James Boswell): "Alexr Boswel/Donum/Joannis Pringle MD Amici.../Londini.../1760". Ownership inscription of the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Zimmerman on front paste-down. ISTC ip00790000; Goff P790; BMC VII 939; GW M34300.Pliny the Elder's monumental encyclopedia of ancient knowledge, his only surviving work. Stephanus Corallus was the second printer to operate in Parma, and only 15 works are known to have been printed by him. Only three other copies of this work have come to auction in the past 100 years. Rare.Alexander Boswell, Lord Auchinleck (1706-82) was a judge on the supreme court in Scotland, and father of Samuel Johnson biographer James Boswell. He was lifelong friends with British physician Sir John Pringle, 1st Baronet (1707-82), who is often considered the "father of military medicine". Pringle was appointed physician-general to the Low Countires in 1744, and in 1752 published "Observations on the Diseases of the Army", a groundbreaking work of modern military medicine. Pringle often acted as intermediary during Alexander and James' tumultuous relationship.PROVENANCE:Alexander Boswell, by gift of John PringleRev. Dr. Jeremiah ZimmermanUnited Lutheran Seminary