Anatomical fugitive sheet (1573)

Anatomical studies of figures with movable flaps, like this one, were often printed as single sheets, and have come to be referred to as "fugitive" sheets since they stand alone outside of a fixed codex. This fugitive sheet shows a female figure with flaps that can be lifted to reveal her organs and skeleton. To see the flaps lifted, follow this shelmark link.

Anatomical fugitive sheet, flap 1 (1573)

In this view, with the top flap lifted up, you can see some of the interior organs, including lungs, heart, stomach, and intestines.

Anatomical fugitive sheet, flap 2 (1573)

With the second flap lifted, we can now see a layer of reproductive organs.

Anatomical fugitive sheet, flap 3 (1573)

With the final flap lifted, the figure's skeleton is revealed.

Apian, Cosmographicus, 1524 (C4v)

With this 4-part movable diagram from Apian’s Cosmographicus, the user can practice a series of complicated calculations, including latitude, the times of sunrise and sunset, the duration of dawn and dusk, and the height of the sun.

Apian, Cosmographicus, 1524 (H4r)

In the center of this complicated volvelle, you can see the thread used to attach the moving parts to the page; in this picture you can see the other side of this leaf and thread.

Apian, Cosmographicus, 1524 (H4v)

In this middle of this page, and obscuring some text, is the string and paper securing the discs of the volvelle on the other side of this leaf.

Apian, Cosmographicus, 1524 (π1r)

This title page for the first edition of Peter Apian's Cosmographicus has been printed in both black and red ink.

Balbi, Catholicon, 1460 (1r)

One of the first books to be printed, the 1460 Catholicon continues to be surrounded by uncertainty about exactly who made it and what processes were used. Although it was once assumed that Gutenberg printed the book, that is now doubted. And recent theory is that the book was not printed with individual pieces of movable type, but with cast two-line slugs of type, thus explaining the near exact later impressions printed in 1469 and 1472.

Boethius, Consolatione, 1497 (d1r)

Boethius's De consolatione philosophiae, a popular medieval text, was often circulated with commentary. Here, Boethius's text is printed in a larger size, with the commentary surrounding it.