Title: Polyhistor, sive De mirabilibus Mundi, sive Collectanea rerum memorabilium, 1493. Wonders of the World, with Early Annotations at the Beginning
Author: Caius Julius Solinus; Pliny the Elder, Pomponius Mela
Publisher: Venice, Guglielmus de Cereto
Condition: Very Good
A late 15th century edition of Solinus’ Polyhistor, also known as De mirabilibus Mundi, or the Wonders of the World, being a chorographic account of many of the wonders of the ancient world, largely adapted from Pliny’s Natural History and Mela’s De Situ Orbis. Numerous ancient wonders of the world are discussed, such as the Great Pyramid, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, and the Lighthouse of Alexandria and incorporates additional information regarding geological features, flora, fauna, and customs. There is an inherent focus on the myths of the ancient world, with locations noted such as the Gorgon Islands, where Solinus purports that monsters such as the Manticore among others continue to exist.
The work has clearly held much influence onto later authors, as writers such as Saint Augustine, Isidore, Bede have cited it, and many 9th century and later manuscripts have survived.
This work has been rubricated throughout, with beautiful initials in red, and there is a considerable amount of early underlining and marginalia in red ink to the first handful of leaves by an early hand.
The title page is lacking and has been supplied via tipped in photocopy. The main work is textually complete.
One volume in small quarto, 45 of 46 leaves
This volume is in very good shape, with minor rubbing and wear to the binding. There is minor staining to the righthand margins of the first handful of leaves, not affecting text.