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 (π2r)

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

Erasmus, Novum Instrumentum, 1516 (A1r)

Erasmus's translation of the Bible from Greek into Latin is appropriately presented in two parallel columns. Here, the initial page of his New Testament is set off with woodcut borders; the following pages are plain columns of text.

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.)

Soldini, Anima brutorum, 1776 (a8r; Smithsonian)

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 Smithsonian, an ochre ink is used, but in the Getty's copy, the initial letter is printed in blue.

Tabulae abcdariae pueriles, 1544 (recto)

Children were often taught to read by printed examples of the alphabet and the Lord's Prayer. This sheet is one of the earliest surviving lessons (probably because, as its appearance suggests, it was never used). Although there is no imprint statement on the sheet, the blocks used in the border were also used by Valentin Bapst in the late 1540s, suggesting that he is this work's printer as well.