Sacrobosco, Noviciis adolescentibus, 1485 ([1]2r)

Sacrobosco's works were some of the most influential astronomical texts of the middle ages. It was frequently collected with works from Regiomantus and Peurbach as a textbook on the subject. The incipit (even though it's not preceded by the phrase) provides the title under which this collection is cataloged, rather than the more commonly used De sphaera mundi.

Santo Officio da Inquisição de Coimbra, Relacion del auto de fee, 1723 (A1r)

This account of people tried as heretics includes, in place of a printer's device, the device of the Inquisition.

Santo Officio da Inquisição de Coimbra, Relacion del auto de fee, 1723 (A4v)

This 8-page octavo pamphlet ends with the colophon for the printer working for the Office of the Inquisition.

Securis, A newe almanacke, 1571 (A2v-A3r)

Almanacs often included charts of the human body and indications of which astrological signs ruled which parts. This opening also includes information about propitious times of the year for things not only having to do with the body (bathing, stopping colds) but with planting.

Securis, A newe almanacke, 1571 (A4v-A5r)

This almanac prints the months on individual pages rather than a two-page opening, as become more common in later decades, but a lot of information about astrological bodies and calendar dates is still fit in across the columns.

Shakespeare, First Folio, 1623 (I2v)

Since this play ends part-way down the page, the remainder of the space is taken up with ruling and a decorative tailpiece.

Shakespeare, First Folio, 1623 (nn4v)

The opening of Hamlet in Shakespeare’s First Folio; like the rest of the plays in this book, the start of the play is marked off with a headpiece and an initial letter.

Shakespeare, Lear, 1608 (A2r)

The play which we now call King Lear was not first published with a much longer title, it also differs in its emphasis on Edgar as the lead of the subplot.

Slovacius, Allmanach, 1580

This almanac was printed as a single sheet; the damaged sections running across the sheet suggest that it was stored folded for a long period of time, probably helping ensure its survival.

Soldini, Anima brutorum, 1776 (a8r; Getty)

The opening of each chapter in this book features intaglio initial letters, the colors of which vary from copy to copy. In this copy from the Getty, a blue ink is used, but in the Smithsonian's copy, the initial letter is printed in sienna. (The plates facing this page also differ in the two copies; search "Soldini" to compare.)