Colloques ou dialogues, 1616 (A4v-A5r)

The odd shape of this book (little and oblong) comes from its contents (seven columns of dialogues in different languages) and its use (a pocket-sized volume for travelers).

Febrés, Arte de lengua de Chile, 1765 (2A4r)

This page is from a textbook teaching Spanish speakers the Mapuche language, spoken by the Mapuche people of present-day Chile and Argentina. It showcases how type works to transliterate phonemes from a non-Romance language into a Latin alphabet. It is interesting to compare the tildes on the Ñs in the text to the contemporary variety. The book seems to be tightly bound, based on the close cropping on the left side of the image.

Febrés, Arte lengua Chile, 1765 ([*]1r)

This title page comes from a book that documents the linguistic complexities of 18th-century Chile, including the language of the Mapuche, Chile’s indigenous inhabitants, combined with Spanish-speaking colonizers. Both red and black ink are used to add emphasis on areas of the book’s contents, such as advertising that in addition to its main contents, it also includes a “very curious ‘Chilean-Hispanic’ dialogue.” The somewhat misaligned nature of the lines indicates that the two-color inking friskets were not precisely lined up during printing.

Molina, Vocabulario, 1571 (V10r)

The colophon being printed in both Spanish and Nahuatl suggests that the book was meant to be accessible equally to Spanish colonial and Indigenous audiences.

Prouisiones cedulas, 1563 (a1r)

The title of this collection of Spanish colonial laws is surrounded by four separate woodcuts used as borders, as well as a cut of the Spanish coat of arms.

Prouisiones cedulas, 1563 (m2r)

Two different styles of the initial letter D can be seen here, the first quite plain and the second floriated.

Rinuccio, Aesop, 1521 (sig. c7r)

A unique feature of this text is how the morals are isolated in the margins next to their respective fables. The use of the manicules and banners serves to emphasize the lofty values they impart.

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.

Zumárraga, Doctrina breve, 1544 (a1r)

This title page uses woodcut blocks and pieces of type to create decorative borders surrounding the text presenting the work's title and imprint. Doctrina breve is the first complete work printed in North America, and was printed using type, blocks, and press were brought over to Mexico City from Spain.