Boethius, Arithmetica, 1492 (2l8v)

This printer's device for the brothers Giovanni and Gregorio de' Gregori is on the last page of their Boethius.

Catalogue of the Faculty of Advocates, 1742 (K1r)

This was a working catalog for the Advocates' library, and the shelfmarks for the books were added and updated throughout its active life.

Catalogue of the Faculty of Advocates, 1742 (π1r)

The Advocates' Library kept a collection of books (law and otherwise) since the Faculty's inauguration in 1689. This series was the third such catalog of books in the library, and as can be seen in the interior pages, was used to record not only the acquisition of books, but their changing shelfmarks.

Caxton, Aesop, 1484 (fol. 38r)

This version of Aesop’s Fables is the first ever to have been printed in English. Caxton translated from Julien Macho's 1482 French edition and replicated Jehan Rousset's woodcuts from that edition as well.

Dodoens, Cruydt boeck, 1618 (Y4v)

In this Dutch version of Dodoens herbal, the same woodblock from the first edition is again used to illustrate the corn-cockle. It looks smaller here because this edition is formatted as a folio rather than an octavo.

Dowland, Second booke of songs, 1600 (A2r)

Dowland's dedicatory letter to the Countess of Bedford follows a layout that mirrors manuscript letters; note that his signature is set in a lowly and humble position at the bottom of the page.

Dowland, Songes, 1597 (L1r)

This page of music was printed so that four musicians could stand around a table sharing the book. The music itself was printed from tiny pieces of metal type, each with the 5 bars of the staff and a note; lined up in a series, the pieces of type formed a series of musical notes.

Dowland, Songes, 1597 (π1r)

A woodcut title page for John Dowland's collection of songs.

Dowland, Songes, 1597 (π2r)

The dedication begins with a large, historiated initial "T", a woodcut depicting a sailboat.

Erasmus, Novum Instrumentum, 1516 (3a1r)

The lengthy title provides the primary decorative element of this page. It's also notable that Froben's printer's device is used in place of his name in the imprint, rather than in addition to it.