2 volumes in one, folio (308 x 200 mm). Large woodcut printer's device to both titles, head and tail pieces, decorative initials, woodcut device to colophon. (Title-page laid down, first few leaves repaired in lower margin, light worming and dampstaining to outer margins.) 20th century calf to style, edges stained red (extremities rubbed, hinges reinforced, renewed blanks). Provenance: Thomas Hussey (armorial bookplate); contemporary ownership signatures and notations on first title-page.

FIRST EDITION IN ENGLISH. "This encyclopaedia of ancient knowledge about the natural world had already had a great indirect influence in England, as elsewhere in Europe, but had not been translated into English before, and would not be again for 250 years. Indeed, after four centuries, Holland is still the only translator of this work to attempt to evoke its literary richness and beauty" (ODNB).

THE GREATEST COMPENDIUM OF ANCIENT SCIENCE, ENGLISHED BY THE GREATEST TRANSLATOR OF THE ELIZABETHAN AGE. STC (2nd ed) 20029; Pforzheimer 496. Cf. PMM 5.