FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS OF 
THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. The Press of 1507. 
Badius (JODOCUS, or Josse), surnamed Ascensius, a scholar, 
Latin poet, and printer, was born at Asche, near Brussels. 
He is first mentioned in connection with printing as a corrector of 
presses for Trechesell and De Vingle, in the city of Lyons, in 1495 or 
1497. He remained there until about 1500, when he removed to 
Paris, where, according to Panzer, in 1502 he established a printing- 
house, which he called "Prelum Ascensianum." In 1507 he used 
for the first time, for his device, this engraving of the printing-press 
as then constructed, which is believed to be the earliest ever made 
of that subject. 
The impression from which this reproduction has been taken is 
in a work of Laurentius Valla, " De Lingua Latina," issued by 
Badius, at Paris, in 1510. The Press of 1520. 
The second engraving of the printing-press here reproduced was 
used by Badius for his device as early as 1520. It will be seen that 
it differs from the first in several important particulars. In the sec- 
ond, the composing-stick used by the figure in the act of setting types 
is changed from the right to the left hand; the press shows improved 
mechanical construction, indicating greater solidity and strength; 
while the little tools, which were needed by the pressmen for con- 
stant use, are inserted in loops attached to the strong cross-beam 
(the ''head ") which constitutes the top of the press. 
It has been asserted that the figure sitting at the case on the right 
side of the engraving was intended to represent a woman, instead of 
a man, as in the first illustration. The head-gear, the change in the 
style of cutting and form of the costume in the second, may furnish 
some foundation for such a conjecture. 
This second reproduction is from an engraving in an edition of 
"De Cotemptu rerum fortuitarum Libri Tres," by Gulielmi Budaei, 
printed by Badius, at Paris, in 1520. of the Hirst Hooks 
^rom the Earliest presses estab- 
lished in different 0ities, ©owns, 
and Monasteries in Europe, before 
th6 end °f the Hifteenth Qentury, 
£$# with Hrief Rotes upon their 
printers. Illustrated with Reproductions 
of €(arly ©ypes and Hirst 0ngravings of 
the Rrinting J?ress. 
Ry Rush 0. Rawkins. 
New-York: J. W. Bouton, 706 Broadway. 
London: B. Quaritch, 15, Piccadilly. 
MDCCCLXXXIV. Three Hundred copies only have been printed of this book, 
in the month of May, 1884, of which this is 
No. TO 
FATHER ANTONIO CERIANI, 
DIRECTOR OF THE AMBROSIAN LIBRARY AT MILAN, ITALY, 
I DEDICATE THIS WORK, 
AS A SLIGHT EVIDENCE OF MY RESPECT FOR HIS CHARACTER, 
ADMIRATION FOR HIS GREAT LEARNING, 
APPRECIATION OF HIS FRIENDSHIP AND KINDLY INTEREST 
IN MY BIBLIOGRAPHICAL OCCUPATIONS. INTRODUCTION. 
A" I AHIS work contains a list of all the cities, towns, monasteries, and 
other places in which printing-presses are known to have been 
established before the end of the fifteenth century; also, the title 
JL of the first book issued from each of the places stated and, when 
known, the name of the printer and date. 
This list, which is intended for the use of those who are interested in 
the early history of the art of printing, has been compiled chiefly from the 
researches of others. In no sense is any claim laid to originality, save in its 
convenient chronological arrangement. Neither is there any pretense that 
this work is exhaustive or correct. The compiler has contented himself 
with an effort to bring together and record such statements as seemed to 
him to have some foundation in facts. 
Prosper Marchand's " Histoire de 1'origine et des premiers progres de 
1'imprimerie," of 1740, mentions 196 places in which printing-presses 
were set up before the close of the fifteenth century. Bowyer and 
Nichols, in 1776, printed a list of 152. Panzer, in his " Annales," published 
in 1797, after leaving out several of the towns mentioned by Marchand, 
makes the number 192. Santander, in his " Dictionnaire Bibliographique " 
of 1805, names 207. Cotton's "Typographical Gazetteer," printed in 1831, 
states the number to be 218. Hain, in his " Repertorium Bibliographi- 
cum " of 1831, mentions 209; and Reichhart, the author of " Druckorte des XII 
INTRODUCTION. 
XV. Jahrhunderts," published in 1853, brings the number up to 221. In 
this list are described 236 books, which we have reasons for regarding as 
the earliest of the first printers in the places specified. There is no way 
of proving which was the first or last book of any particular printer or press; 
and for that reason we find it impossible, save in a few instances, to affirm 
that the books that are now stated to be the first productions of the several 
presses to which they are assigned may not have been preceded by others 
at present unknown. The reader will therefore see the necessity of accept- 
ing all statements with some qualification as to certainty. In most instances 
we have been compelled to leave those books heretofore designated as 
the earliest productions of the first presses in the positions to which they 
have been assigned by reliable bibliographers. 
Many of the works described have been personally examined; the 
names of the printers, dates, places of printing, number of leaves, and 
sometimes of lines, have been verified, and are here correctly stated. 
One of the obstacles presenting itself at the threshold of investigation 
is the want of properly illustrated catalogues of the existing important 
collections of early printed books. Keenly appreciating this want, and to the 
end that this work may be of some use to investigators, there have been 
reproduced, by the photo-lithographic process, several pages and parts of 
pages of books which it is believed are not to be found in any other 
bibliographic work. 
In a work of this nature, consisting mainly of details, such as names, 
dates, places, etc., it has not been thought necessary to mention the authori- 
ties consulted. It is proper, however, to state that the best authors have 
been read, their writings sifted, the results brought together and stated as 
briefly as possible. 
Nor has it been deemed necessary to give a list of the doubtful places 
where, according to several bibliographers, printing-presses may have been 
used before the close of the fifteenth century. 
The more I read of the controversy about the invention of printing with 
movable metal types, the more I am convinced of the unsubstantiality of 
the Harlem claim; and now, after having read and weighed much of the 
evidence, and carefully analyzed the assertions and ingenious statements 
in favor of Coster, and notwithstanding the arguments advanced by Mr. J. INTRODUCTION. 
XIII 
H. Hessels, in his book lately published under the title of "Gutenberg, 
Was He the Inventor of Printing ? " I am compelled to place at the head 
of the list of printers with movable metal types the name of John Guten- 
berg. 
While admitting that an introduction to a work like this may not afford 
an appropriate occasion for an argument in favor of any particular theory, I 
think it proper to give a brief summary of some of the facts and reasons 
which are the foundations of my belief in the Gutenberg claim. 
I also regard the book of Mr. Hessels as a challenge to all who take the 
German side of this question. His gauntlet is thrown in such a manner 
that those who write upon a subject germane to the one great question 
incidentally involved in this work are compelled to notice it; and as I have, 
without qualification, given Gutenberg the first place in the history of this 
most useful art, I feel called upon to set forth, in outline merely, some of 
the principal reasons which to me seem to support his claim to be the 
inventor of printing. 
Our first knowledge of Gutenberg as a printer is from the record of an 
action at law brought against him at Strasburg, in 1439, by one Dritzehn 
for certain moneys advanced. In this proceeding fifteen witnesses were 
examined, as appeared by the record of their testimony, which was pre- 
served at Strasburg. These statements prove that Gutenberg, while in that 
city, was engaged in secretly developing an important invention connected 
with forms, presses, pieces, etc. A greater part of this evidence points 
toward the invention of printing, and to nothing else. This record, which 
was preserved in the City Library of Strasburg, was burned during the 
siege in 1870. 
The account of this trial is the foundation-stone upon which the German 
claim has been erected. If it is genuine, the fact that Gutenberg was 
engaged at Strasburg, previous to 1439, in trying to perfect a system of 
printing with movable types is sufficiently established for all historical 
purposes. If, on the other hand, it was manufactured by some one 
interested in defeating the Harlem claim, or for any other purpose whatever, 
then those who advocate the side of Gutenberg will be compelled to accept 
other testimony, which, although it may not be of as high character as 
authenticated ancient documents, will be found sufficiently strong to sustain 
the integrity of the German claim. 
According to creditable and unshaken authority, the record of this trial 
was discovered at Strasburg in an old tower, called the Pfennigthurm, as XIV 
INTRODUCTION. 
early as 1745, if not before, by Joli. Henr. Barth, the archivist of that city, 
and Schoepflin, a German professor and bibliographer. The latter gives a 
straightforward and self-evident truthful account of this find, and says : 
" When I was inspecting again the Strassburg flag and standard, the wax tables, the charters 
provided with golden bulla, and other antiquarian stores, several times seen already by me before, I 
at last entered into a room which was more rarely unlocked before, where I discovered in a long 
row the old protocols of the Senate, namely, small folio paper codices, marked with the years. 
Henricus Barthius, at that time the chief of the Archives, and myself drew them forth from the dark- 
ness. We examined them, and I myself excerpted several. But when I took up the codex of the 
year 1439, I hardly opened the MS. when I saw the name of Gutenberg. Looking further, I found 
a long series of witnesses who gave their testimonies regarding the Gutenbergian secret, most of 
which designated plainly the typographical art. The authentic codex, which is preserved in a 
sacred place, and in which the Acts of the Senate and the declarations of witnesses before the dele- 
gates of the Senate have been written, is of a venerable authority. In it are registered the witnesses 
produced in the law-suit brought against Gutenberg." * 
In 1818 Dibdin was at Strasburg, and examined " the celebrated depo- 
sitions." To him they were not satisfactory. The "character, or letter," in 
which they were written seemed to be of the commencement of the six- 
teenth, rather than of the middle of the fifteenth, century ; they were written 
in one uniform hand upon thick, strong paper, when they ought to have 
been " upon rolls of parchment." He further adds, " the whole book has 
very much the air of a copy "; but is generous enough to admit that " it 
may have been an accurate and attested copy of an original which has 
perished." 
In 1830 Schaab writes in such a manner as to lead his readers to infer 
that he had either seen this record in the Town Library at Strasburg at 
that time or knew of its existence. He also disputes Dibdin's doubts and 
objections, and confirms previous favorable accounts. 
De Laborde, in 1840, was at Strasburg, evidently for the purpose of giv- 
ing this record a careful and critical inspection. The result of his labors 
are contained in a well-written work, wherein he gives full credence to the 
truthfulness of the testimony examined. 
Aug. Bernard, an accomplished and careful French bibliographer, in 
1853 states that he saw "the pieces of this law-suit [which] still exist 
in the original in the Library at Strasburg, where I had the pleasure of 
perusing them and verifying their authenticity." 
In 1836 Professor Schweighauser, Librarian of the Strasburg Library, 
wrote to Schaab : 
* Hessels, " Gutenberg," p. 27. INTRODUCTION. 
XV 
''These two volumes are in our Library, where I showed them to Dibdin. It is inconceivable 
how he could doubt their authenticity, as they bear all external and internal evidence of it most 
plainly. They are old volumes, entirely worn at the edges, bound in rough parchment, which has 
become brown-yellow, and repaired at the back with old parchment or strips of leather, in which 
many other unimportant matters are contained. Besides the complete uselessness of copying such 
things in the sixteenth century, the fact that in the volumes frequently whole or half pages have been 
crossed out, and others have been left blank, proves plainly that the documents are the original." * 
In 1761 Schoepflin writes that Jac. Wencker, Councillor and Chief of 
the Public Archives at Strasburg, had, in 1740, communicated to him the 
portion of this record which contained the sentence pronounced by the 
Strasburg Council (Senate) at the end of the trial - Dec. 12, 1439. 
Schaab informs us that Wencker discovered this sentence as early as 
1739- 
De Laborde, who made investigations at Strasburg about 1840, gives 
in his book the sentence in full, but omits to mention that he had ever seen 
it in the public record of the case. 
All of our knowledge about this important portion of the record of this 
trial is derived from two intelligent and respectable witnesses, who knew 
Wencker, the discoverer, well enough to rely upon his statements. 
The second important document, which has been relied upon by the 
advocates of Gutenberg, is known as the Notarial Act of Ulricus Helmas- 
perger, a notary of Mentz, dated November 6, 1455. In it is contained a 
recital of a loan, from Fust to Gutenberg, of eight hundred guilders, to be 
used in perfecting tools, work upon books, etc. ; and also an account of the 
controversy which took place in consequence of its non-payment. The 
history of this document has been thoroughly investigated by Mr. Hessels, 
and the following resume-the results of his researches-is given in his 
own language: 
"A. D. 1541- Bergel speaks, for the first time, of a law-suit between Fust and Gutenberg, 
conducted [in the year ?] before a ' timorous tribunal this ' horrible ' process was still [in 1541] in 
the hands of the judge. 
"A. D. 1600. Joh. Friedr. Faust von Aschaffenberg, the elder, seems to have been occupied in 
collecting the papers and documents of his ancestors. Among them is said to have been the original 
of the Helmasperger Instrument of 1455; and J. Fr. F. v. A. is alleged to have made a transcript of 
it on p. 159 of a volume which, in 1712, is declared to have been marked with Lit. O, and to be in 
the possession of Joh. Ernst von Glauburg, at Nieder Erlenbach, near Frankfurt. 
"A. D. 1619. In this year J. F. Faust von Aschaffenburg, the elder, did not die, as is asserted 
by Wolf, Kohler, V. d. Linde, etc., because - 
"A. D. 1620, April 20, he himself dedicated the Lubeckische Chronick, edited by him from the 
compilations of Hans Regkman, to the Magistrates of Lubeck; and in this dedication he himself 
* Hessels, " Gutenberg," p. 31. XVI 
INTRODUCTION. 
gives a short account of the Invention of Printing, asserting that Johan Faust invented it at Mentz 
in 1450, and improved it with the assistance of Peter Schaffer von Gernsheim, a clerk, his servant, and 
afterwards his son-in-law. 
" Not before A. D. 1620, but before July 14,1621, the same Joh. Friedr. Faust von Aschaffenburg, 
the elder, compiles a lengthy discourse on the Invention of Printing, from the old testimonia and docu- 
ments left to him by his father and ancestors, in which he repeats his assertion of April 20, 1620, that 
Johan Faust was the inventor. But this time he adds: (1) That his grandfather, Dr. Johann Faust, 
testifies, in a MS. left by him, to have seen the first beginnings of printing, among them the first part 
of a Donatus; (2) that Joh. von Guttenberg, the next-door neighbour of Joh. Faust, helped the 
inventor with money; (3) that a quarrel arose between them, and the secular court at Mentz con- 
demned Guttenberg to pay; (and 4) that he added to this Discourse a transcript of the legal instru- 
ment, which was dated A. D. 1455, and related the result of the law-suit. This Discourse was never 
published by the author himself; consequently the public knew, as yet, nothing of this notarial 
instrument; the Discourse was written, it seems, in the codex, marked by Faust v. A. himself with 
the letter O. I am unable to say whether this codex is still in existence. For extracts made from it 
see below, A. D. 1631, 1681, 1706, 1712. 
" A. D. 1621, July 14 (and not in 1619), Joh. Friedr. Faust von Aschaffenburg, the elder, dies. 
"A. D. 1631. Henr. Salmuth published an edition of Guid. Pancirolli Res Memor,, pars post., 
in which he gives for the first time an abridged Latin translation of the Discourse, without mention- 
ing its author's name. The Instrument of the Law-suit is merely referred to as being then in 
existence. 
" A. D. 1641. Maximilian Faust v. Aschaffenburg, the son of J. Fr. F. v. A., the elder, says the 
original papers concerning the points mentioned in the Discourse are in his possession. 
" Before A. D. 1649, Joh. Max Zum Jungen transcribes the Discourse, including its appendix 
(the transcript of the Instrument). This Zum Jungen transcript was, in 1715, in the possession of 
J. E. von Glauburg; in Oct. 1880, I myself saw it in the Archives at Frankfurt. 
"A. D. 1650. Jacobus Mentelius declares the Instrument of which Salmuth speaks to be 
forged and fictitious,' but gives no grounds for his opinion, and had evidently never seen it. (We 
must remember that he would naturally object to anything derogatory to the claims of his namesake 
at Strassburg.) 
"A.D. 1681. Phil. Lud. Authaeus publishes a short history of the Invention of Printing, and 
dedicates his little work, which is nothing but an abridgment of the Discourse, to two brothers, Joh. 
Hector and Frid. Jacobus Faust v. Aschaffenburg. Authaeus neither mentions the name of the 
author of the Discourse, nor prints the Instrument of the Law-suit. 
"A. D. 1706. Lersner publishes ' Chronick der Stadt Frankfurt,' and on p. 435 reprints 
Authaeus' work, but refutes it, and professes to quote from the MSS. of J. Fr. Faust v. A. (the 
elder ?\ a passage in which the latter appears as denying that Joh. Faust is the inventor of printing. 
"A. D. 1712. Joh. Ernst von Glauburg makes two separate transcripts of the Instrument of the 
Law-suit for Von Uffenbach, from the transcript which he (Von Glauburg) says was made (on fol. 
159 of vol. O) about A. D. 1600 by Joh. Friedr. F. v. A. (the elder) from the original. These two 
transcripts are now in the Public Library at Hamburg. 
"A. D. 1712. Von Uffenbach makes extracts from a vol. marked with Lit. O, which contained 
Collectanea Francofurtensia Johannis Frederici Faust ab Aschaffenburg, and was left to him by Von 
Glauburg, the latter himself copying the instrument in Von Uffenbach's manuscript. This Uffenbach 
MS. I myself saw (in Oct. 1880) in the Town Library at Frankfurt. Von Uffenbach's extract from 
the Discourse and Von Glauburg's transcript of the instrument commence onp. 170. 
"A.D. 1715. Von Uffenbach had transcribed from him the Discourse and the Instrument 
attached to it from the 'apographum' of Joh. Max. Zum Jungen (see above, A. D. 1649), lent to 
him by Joh. Ernst von Glauburg. This Von Uffenbach transcript was, in 1736, at Hamburg in the 
Wolf Collection, and it was still there (in the Town Library) in Sept. 1880. INTRODUCTION. 
XVII 
" A. D. 1734. Senckenberg publishes, for the first time, the Instrument of the Law-suit, from 
(what he calls) the original. He does not state whence he obtained it, and I am unable to say 
whether what he used is still in existence; I have a strong suspicion that he printed from the tran- 
script mentioned above (A. D. 1600). 
"A. D. 1736. Joh. Christoph Wolf publishes a description of the collection of MS. volumes, 
containing letters and documents, which he had bought from Z. C. Von Uffenbach. This collection 
contained: (1.) the two transcripts of the instrument made in A. D. 1712 (see above) by Von Glauburg 
for Von Uffenbach; (2) a transcript of the Discourse made for Von Uffenbach in 1715 by some 
copyist, from the transcript of Joh. Max. Zum Jungen (made before 1649), lent to Von Uffenbach by 
Joh. Ernst von Glauburg. These documents were, in Sept. 1880, still in the Public Library at 
Hamburg. 
"A. D. 1740. Joh. Christian Wolf publishes his Monumenta Typographica, and in it gives for 
the first time the whole of the Discourse in the Latin translation, with the Instrument attached to 
it in German, from the transcript made for Von Uffenbach, 1715, from the transcript of Joh. Max. 
Zum Jungen. 
"A. D. 1741- Joh. David Kohler publishes ' Ehrenrettung Guttenberg's,' and in this work 
prints: (1) the Instrument of the Law-suit, from what he calls ' the original in formd patented which 
he says he had obtained from a cousin of Von Glauburg,-not from the latter himself, as Kohler's 
preface would lead us to suppose; but I am unable to say whether this original from which Kohler 
copied is still in existence; (2) the Discourse 'ex MS. Johannis Max. Zum Jungen,'therefore (?), 
from the transcript now preserved in the Frankfurt Archives." * 
The next document of importance, in regular order, is the following: 
" I, Conrad Homery, acknowledge by this letter that .... Adolph, Archbishop of Mentz, 
had given me a great many forms, types, instruments, tools, and other things connected with printing, 
which Johan Gutenberg left when he died, which have been my property, and still are; and I have 
bound and bind myself by this letter to use those forms and instruments only for printing within 
Mentz, and nowhere else; if I had occasion to sell them, and a citizen were willing to give me as 
much for them as a stranger, I shall give the preference to an inhabitant of Mentz. Given in the year 
1468, the Friday after St. Matthew." 
Mr. Hessels examined twenty-three different documents, which have 
been cited by various authorities as having some bearing upon the family 
and personal history of Gutenberg; three out of this number he regards as 
of some value in connecting Gutenberg with the history of printing. These 
are the accounts of the trials at Strasburg and Mentz, and the Helmas- 
perger letter. Although he does not clearly express his opinion as to the 
value of the first of these documents, he leaves his readers to infer that he 
believes it to be a forgery. The second he has still less confidence in. For 
the third he has some respect. 
That portion of the record of the trial at Strasburg which contained the 
testimony of the witnesses was probably within reach of investigators and 
experts from Holland or elsewhere from 1740 to 1870, one hundred and 
* Hessels, " Gutenberg," pp. 93-99. XVIII 
INTRODUCTION. 
thirty years. Surely during that long period of time there was ample 
opportunity for experts in deciphering ancient manuscripts to have given 
this record any number of careful examinations. But so far as we know 
not one was ever made in the interest of the Harlem claim, and up to Mr. 
Hessels' time this record of the testimony of those fifteen witnesses had 
passed for truthful history. And even now, after his careful and most 
exhaustive examination, as a matter of evidence from a purely legal stand- 
point this record remains unshaken. Under the rules and usages of courts 
governing the admission as testimony of ancient writings, the fact that they 
were found with other public records of various dates both before and after 
these, in a public building owned by the Government, where other official 
and public documents were kept, would warrant any court in accepting 
them, and nothing less than strong proof clearly establishing their falsity 
could affect their value as legal evidence. 
In 1541 J. Arnold Bergel, or Briigel, a press-corrector of Mentz, pub- 
lished his "Encomion Chalcographiae," in which is mentioned for the first 
time the Gutenberg-Fust law-suit. In 1600 a certain Faust of Aschaffen- 
burg is said to have made a copy of the notarial act of Helmasperger from 
the original in his possession. 
It will be seen in the resume of Mr. Hessels that this act was seen, 
copied, and published by several learned writers between the years 1600 
and 1741. In this latter year, John David Kohler, a distinguished pro- 
fessor who had been twenty years at the University of Gottingen, published 
his " Ehrenrettung Gutenbergs" (A defense of Gutenberg's honor). Mr. 
Hessels says this work consisted of not more than one hundred and 
twenty-four pages, and that its author was at least eighteen years writing 
it. In this work the notarial act is printed as Kohler asserts, " from the 
original on parchment, in forma patente, in folio." 
While it is possible that other writers may have been deceived in rela- 
tion to the genuineness of this document, we cannot without reservation 
accept the theory that this careful, earnest, well-educated, and unimpeached 
college professor, who had been eighteen years writing a work of one 
hundred and twenty-four pages, should, without exhaustive investigations, 
have accepted as true a document of such rare historical importance. 
There being no evidence to the contrary, it is fair to assume that this 
author was in every way well qualified for making examinations relating 
to the interesting and important matter involved in the writing of this 
history, and also that he would carefully weigh and sift all alleged facts INTRODUCTION. 
XIX 
and circumstances presented for his consideration before accepting them. 
We certainly have the right to attach great weight to the statements made by 
such an author; and before we discard them as being unworthy of belief, 
we ought to receive the strongest possible proof of their unauthenticity. 
In October, 1881, Mr. Hessels went to Wurzburg for the purpose of 
examining a transcript of the Homery letter, and found it in a cartulary of 
one hundred and fifty-eight leaves, where it had been copied at the end of a 
document with the date of 1467. In his account of it, he says, " I have found 
no ground to suspect the authenticity of the cartulary in which this transcript 
is preserved." Not in this single instance is he willing to involve himself in 
an admission favoring the genuineness of the letter; he does not suspect the 
authenticity of the cartulary, but he does not care to say as much for the 
transcript. That, evidently from his stand-point, must be left open to suspicion. 
The weight of evidence (if in relation to Gutenberg evidence can have 
any weight) leads to a belief that the Catholicon finished at Mentz in 1460 
was his last book. The types with which it was printed, it has been often 
asserted by experts, were used by the Bechtermiintze Brothers at Eltville, 
in 1467, in printing their first edition of the Vocabularius Ex quo. This 
fact has been cited as being fatal to the authenticity of the Homery letter; 
and critical searchers after the exact truth (which very few of them ever find) 
exclaim, How could the Archbishop of Mentz, in 1468, give Dr. Homery 
Gutenberg's printing materials which had been in the hands of the Bechter- 
muntzes in 1467 ? When Gutenberg became attached to the Court of the 
Archbishop, might he not have loaned or let to these brothers his materials to 
be used by them until his death, or the occasion of some other event, and 
then to become the property of his patron, the Archbishop ? Was such a 
disposition of the Catholicon types improbable or impossible ? 
Mr. Hessels' account of this letter is clear and to the point. So much 
so, that it must prove to all who read it without prejudice, or a bias favor- 
ing this or that theory, that it is what it purports to be,- a truthful account 
of an event which took place at the time stated. 
After reading Mr. Hessels' book, the reflective reader must inevitably 
arrive at the conclusion that the author has quite satisfied himself that the 
three important documents under consideration were manufactured for the 
purpose of sustaining a case which had little or no foundation in fact. 
Upon the probabilities involved in this particular proposition of forgery, 
or an attempt at deception, much might be written. Here, however, we 
must content ourselves by stating one or two prominent points. XX 
INTRODUCTION. 
In the absence of direct or strong circumstantial evidence, destroying 
the integrity of these ancient writings, we are compelled to accept them 
as they are, and for exactly what they appear to be. We are not per- 
mitted to cast them aside as worthless, or doubt their value as evidence, 
because it may suit the purpose of some person intent upon making an 
ingenious argument, favoring some technical sense of historical accuracy, 
which may appear to be in the interest of justice. In this case, and par- 
ticularly after the lapse of such a period of time as four hundred years 
and upward, nothing but solid affirmative testimony can be accepted to 
neutralize the statements which these documents contain. 
Nor can the integrity of previous statements in relation to them be 
doubted, unless the characters of the authors who made them are first im- 
peached. In this respect, Mr. Hessels has recorded a complete failure. 
He does say, however, that, "To me it always appeared suspicious that 
Schoepflin had just discovered documents which furnished him with 
evidence and a date which he had previously wished to find." This is 
the strongest reason he has given for impeaching the writings of this 
author, who was a Strasburg professor, and at the time he made this 
discovery was engaged upon his " Celebrated Work " (as Van der Linde 
styles it), entitled " Vindiciae Typographicae." 
Is this suspicion of sufficient weight to warrant us in accepting the 
theory that Wencker, the Strasburg councillor and Archivist, and Schoepflin, 
the Strasburg professor and historian, deliberately forged the record of the 
trial of 1439 ? 
Admitting the forgery, then the forgers must have had a motive com- 
mensurate with the risk involved in their wicked act. What could it have 
been ? Surely not one of money or self-aggrandizement! For who at that time 
was sufficiently interested in the history of Gutenberg to pay them for the 
commission of such an act ? Nor could it have been one of simple gratifi- 
cation, which is sometimes enjoyed during the consummation of a successful 
deception. Seemingly, there could have been but one inducement to such 
a deed, and that, the one in the interest of national pride in sustaining in 
favor of a citizen of Germany a claim to a great invention to which he 
was not entitled ; and this only conceivable motive applies equally to the 
notarial act of Helmasperger and the letter of Dr. Homery. 
In order to make Mr. Hessels' theory perfectly logical, all of these docu- 
ments must have been forged after the year 1588, for the purpose of defeat- 
ing the Harlem claim. Before that time there was no reason for their INTRODUCTION. 
XXI 
existence, as no one had disputed the Gutenberg or German claim to the 
invention. Then why should the forgery of Wencker and Schoepflin 
assume the form of a trial, involving the manufacturing of testimony for 
fifteen witnesses, when the writing of a short document in the shape of an 
agreement of some sort about printing would have done just as well ? 
The indirect charge of forgery of documents relating to the Strasburg 
and Mentz trials, which may be inferred from the reading of Mr. Hessels' 
book, has not been sustained. On the contrary, the wealth of information 
brought together by that gentleman concerning these ancient records, leads 
to a further confirmation of our belief in their integrity. 
Fortunately, the evidence pointing to Gutenberg as an inventor of print- 
ing does not depend entirely upon German documents. There is testimony 
of value from other sources. 
On the fourteenth day of October, 1468, Charles the Seventh of France, 
having heard that " Mesire Gutenberg, chevalier, residing at Mayence in 
Germany, a man dexterous in engraving letters and punches, had dis- 
covered the art of printing with them, .... sent Nicholas Jenson, 
an engraver of the Royal Mint, to learn the secret." This was two years 
before the three German printers issued their first book from the Sorbonne 
at Paris. This information might have been communicated to the king by 
John Fust, who had already been in Paris selling Mentz Bibles ; or possibly 
some Frenchman who had traveled in Germany might have brought back 
to France an account of the great discovery. Clearly, it could not have been 
an interested German printer. Fust was not a printer, nor was he a friend 
of Gutenberg. He furnished money with which to carry on the business of 
printing, sold the products, and doubtless took his full share of the proceeds. 
The two books generally accepted as the ones first printed in Paris were 
two works of Barzizzio, who was commonly known as Gasparini Pergamen- 
sis. Although the dates are not positively known, it is conceded that they 
were printed in the year 1470. The first, "Epistolarum Opus," contains 
an epistle dedicatory, by Guillaume Fichet, a professor of theology and 
philosophy at the Sorbonne, to his friend Jean Lapierre, which refers to the 
German invention of printing. The colophon of the same work also alludes 
to the " new German way of writing." 
But the most important statement is contained in the second work, 
" Orthographiae Liber," which comes to us in the form of a Latin letter 
from Fichet to his friend Robert Gaguin. It is of sufficient importance to 
warrant me in giving a translation of the whole letter: XXII 
INTRODUCTION. 
" A great light has been brought by the race of new-style book-makers whom Germany (like 
some Trojan horse) has poured forth in every direction. For they say that there, not far from the 
City of Mayence, there was a certain John, surnamed Gutenberg, who was the first to invent, some 
time ago, the art of printing, whereby they make books,- not with a reed (like the ancients), nor with 
a quill (as we make them), but with brass letters, and that, too, ornamentally, elegantly, and beauti- 
fully. Worthy, indeed, was this man, that all the muses, all arts, and all the tongues of those who 
delight in books, should honor him with divine praises, and that he should even be placed before the 
Gods and Goddesses And as ... . Ceres was the first to break asunder the soil 
with the crooked plough, the first to give the nourishing fruits containing grains to the earth. But 
this Gutenberg discovered things far more grateful and more divine, insomuch as he carved letters of 
such a kind, that by them whatever can be said or thought can in a few days be written and tran- 
scribed and consigned to the memory of posterity. And in this place especially I shall not refrain 
from speaking of those who now surpass their master, of whom Udalricus, Michael, and Martin are 
said to be the chief, who now some time ago printed the letters of Gasparinus, which Joannes Lapida- 
nus corrected. 
" Hastily written by me in the house of the Sorbonne, at daybreak on the kalends of January." 
If objection be urged against giving full credit to these statements of 
Fichet, the objection must be predicated upon the probability that the 
sources of his information were, in part at least, German, and consequently 
open to suspicion. They cannot, however, break the strength of the prop- 
osition, that all authors who have written upon the character of Fichet 
agree in saying that he was most learned, eloquent, enterprising, and 
sagacious. His influence upon higher education in France was so marked, 
and his reputation so great, that Pope Sextus IV. invited him to Rome and 
conferred upon him several distinguished honors. 
These statements should lead persons who are not over suspicious to 
believe that Fichet would not record as a fact a statement, about an im- 
portant matter, unless he had fully satisfied himself of its entire truthfulness. 
Uldaricus (Gering), Michael (Friburger), and Martin (Crantz) were Ger- 
mans, and the first printers in France. They went to Paris upon the invitation 
of Fichet, and at the time these statements were made, were working at 
the Sorbonne under his patronage and protection.* 
Even Peter Schoefier, who took good care never to mention Gutenburg 
while they were working together at Mentz, in 1468, after the latter's death, 
in an edition of the Institutiones of Justinianus, states: "God has sent 
excellent masters in the art of cutting letters, both Johanneses, born at 
Mentz, the celebrated first printers ; he, Petrus (meaning himself), came 
indeed later than they to the grave, but he entered it first as their master in 
the art of cutting letters He who is pleased to gird mighty men 
* See article in "Le Livre" of November, 1883, by Monsieur A. Claudin, entitled "Un 
Nouveau Document sur Gutenberg." INTRODUCTION. 
XXIII 
with wisdom, sent these two excellent in the art of engraving, the first 
celebrated printers of books, both called Johannes, born by Moguncia." 
This statement points in the direction of Johannes Gutenberg and Johannes 
Faust. Those were the only two of that name who have ever been mentioned 
in connection with printing at Mentz previous to 1468. 
The facts as to the location of the invention and the name of the inventor 
must have been known in Rome, where, in a chronicle which was printed 
there July 13, 1474, Gutenberg is mentioned the first of two who were 
printing at Mentz in 1459 ; and in another edition of the same work of Feb- 
ruary 10, 1476, a portion of this statement is substantially repeated. Pan- 
nartz, Sweynheym, Han, and Lauer were all printing in Rome during this 
period, and from them the information contained in these chronicles was 
probably obtained. 
In 1494 Ada Wernheri (Werner ?) and Joannis Herbst, two professors 
attached to the University of Heidelberg, wrote laudatory verses honoring 
Gutenberg as the inventor of printing. 
In 1499 was published at Cologne, in Low German, a chronicle con- 
taining a statement of Ulrich Zell, the accepted first printer in that city, 
who it is believed was taught the art of printing by Gutenberg. At the end 
of his statement Zell is made to say, without qualification : " . . . . But 
the first inventor of printing was a citizen of Mentz, born at Strasburg, and 
named Junker Johan Gutenberg." Doubtless this sentence refers to the 
invention of printing with movable metal types. The Donatuses mentioned 
by Zell in the first part of this well-known statement, he probably knew or 
believed to be block books. 
About the year 1514 Trithemius, who has been mentioned as one of the 
most learned men of his day, repeated a statement made to him by Peter 
Schoeffer more than thirty years before, to the effect that the art of printing 
books by the aid of types "was planned and invented by John Gutenberg 
about 1450, and until then unheard of." But as this statement is of a 
contradictory nature, and was made by a German, if made at all, it ought 
(according to Mr. Hessels' general theory) to be taken cum grano salis. 
Erasmus, a native of Holland, about the year 1522, wrote: " Those who 
apply themselves to science are under no small obligations to the excellent 
Town of Mentz, on account of the excellent and almost divine invention of 
printing books with tin letters, which, as they assure us, were born there." 
Froben, one of the intimate friends and associates of Erasmus at Bale, 
was a German printer of learning and great repute, and possibly one of the XXIV 
INTRODUCTION. 
" theys " who succeeded in making " the restorer of learning " believe that 
printing was a German invention. Some of the other " theys " may have 
been French printers with whom he associated when a tutor in Paris, where 
the first edition of one of his works was published. If we accept the esti- 
mate of his critical ability conceded to him by friends and enemies, Erasmus 
was not the man to make rash or inconsiderate statements. He must have 
been convinced that the information which he discloses came from trust- 
worthy sources. 
In 1541 Bergel (above cited in connection with the notarial act of 
1455) states that "John Gutenburg invented the new art in 1450, at Mentz, 
under the reign of Frederick III.; but being on the point of abandoning his 
work, his means being exhausted, he was assisted by Fust, who gave light 
to the undertaking and bore the costs." 
If we accept the statement that Zell had been a workman with Guten- 
berg, his opportunities for acquiring knowledge of the facts are placed 
beyond dispute ; and if we rely upon the truthfulness of his reported account, 
the questions, by whom, when, and where printing was invented are nearly 
settled. There can be no doubt about this chronicle having been printed at 
Cologne in 1499, sixty-two years before the first imperfect Harlem story 
was told. Nor are the testimonies of Schoeffer at Mentz, Fichet at Paris, 
de Lignamine at Rome, the Heidelberg professors, Trithemius, Erasmus, and 
Bergel, open to the charge of having been gotten up by interested forgers 
for the purpose of defeating the coming claim of Harlem. 
Within a hundred years after the first book was printed with mov- 
able types, a considerable number of authors and printers other than 
those mentioned, who were probably men of intelligence and integrity, 
named Germany as the country of the invention of printing, and the Rhine 
is specified by several as the particular location. These statements were 
not by Germans only; they were made by natives of other countries who 
were engaged in writing and printing books. And the story of the German 
inventor had been accepted as true during all of those years. It seems 
impossible that the intelligence of Europe could have been deceived for 
so long a time. And we now marvel at the absence of the investigators 
and lovers of truth and justice, who ought to have discovered and exposed 
this fraudulent appropriation of a great event in the history of a nation. 
If the extracts we have selected from the statements made by a few 
out of the great number of witnesses briefly referred to, prove anything, 
it is this: That there was such a man as John Gutenberg, a German, INTRODUCTION. 
XXV 
who spent the greater part of his life in inventing a method of printing with 
movable metal types ; and that he finally succeeded in nearly perfecting 
his invention; and that the actual printing of books by him was the result 
of his inventive labors. It is also proved that in several instances he was 
compelled to obtain from others means to assist him in perfecting his 
invention, and that he became involved in many difficulties by reason of 
his lack of financial ability. He was probably not the first to travel the up- 
hill path which so many inventors have passed over since his time. Like 
nearly all great achievements, this invention of typographic printing came 
from long-continued mental toil and experimental labors. It was not the 
result of an accident, an inspiration of genius, nor of an after-dinner walk in 
a beech wood. 
From what we know, or rather believe we know, it is fair to infer that 
with the publication of the Catholicon in 1460, Gutenberg closed his dis- 
astrous career as a printer, and soon after accepted an honorary appoint- 
ment from Adolf II., Archbishop of Mentz, at whose court he served as a 
courtier until his death in 1468. 
The statement at the end of his last book could have originated 
with none other than a man wearied with the privations, struggles and 
contentions of life, who was looking beyond the clouds for that peace 
which had been denied to him on earth. It contains facts usually recited 
in a colophon, but as different as possible from the boasting advertise- 
ments of the one or two other printers of that period. The translation 
here given is from the " Haarlem Legend " of Van der Linde, and is as 
follows, viz: 
" By the assistance of the Most High, at whose will the tongues of children become eloquent, and 
who often reveals to babes what he hides from the wise, this renowned book, the Catholicon, was 
printed and perfected in the year of Incarnation, 1460, in the beloved city of Mentz (which belongs to 
the illustrious German nation, and which God has consented to prefer and to raise to such exalted 
light of the mind and of free grace, above other nations of the earth),- not by means of pen or pencil 
or stencil-plate, but by means of admirable proportion, harmony and connection of the punches and 
matrices ; wherefore, to thee, Divine Father, Son and Holy Ghost, triune and only God, let praise and 
honor be given, and let those who never forget to praise (the Virgin) Mary, join also, through this 
book, in universal anthems of the church. God be praised." 
While we have no difficulty in discovering that the writer had a sublime 
appreciation of the greatness of his invention, we fail to find one single 
expression indicating that he took any credit to himself for having made 
it. The glory of his great achievement, which was destined to bestow the XXVI 
INTRODUCTION. 
greatest blessings upon all future generations, he gave to the " Most High"- 
the source to which he looked for the reward and appreciation that his 
own kind had failed to bestow. 
Up to the year 1561, the oft-repeated account of Gutenberg's invention 
of a method of printing with movable metal types had passed unchallenged. 
In that year a certain native of Holland named Coornhert, an engraver, in 
the dedication of an edition of " Officia Ciceronis," states that he was " often 
told in good faith (by) honest, wise, and prudent gentlemen, that the useful art 
of printing books was invented, first of all, here at Harlem, though in a very 
crude way, .... which art having been brought to Mentz by an unfaithful 
servant, was very much improved there." Further on in this narrative it is 
admitted that the idea that printing was invented in Mentz had taken such 
deep root that it would be no easy matter to uproot it. This writer also 
blames the "heedless carelessness of our forefathers " that the matter had 
not been set right before. 
The most important part of the information which Coornhert must have 
received from these " honorable, wise, and prudent gentlemen," he does not 
disclose; yet in one part of his statement he says that he knew about the 
family of the inventor, his name and surname, but he takes good care to 
keep all of this valuable information to himself. This vague story, admitted 
to have been founded upon hearsay, is most unsatisfactory; it neither gives 
dates nor names of persons, and at its best could only be accepted as a vague 
local tradition, or the invention of a gossip. 
In 1588 was published at Harlem a book entitled "Batavia," edited 
by one Hadrianus Junius, a native of Hoover, in Holland. He was a 
doctor of medicine and an author, with high reputation for learning, and 
we are indebted to him for a more circumstantial setting forth of the Harlem 
romance. Van der Linde takes from " Batavia" this account of the invention 
of printing : 
" In the year 1440 a certain Laurens Janszoon Coster lived at Haarlem, a man who, one hundred 
and twenty-eight years afterwards, by mouth of Hadrianus Junius, reclaims the honor of having 
invented the art of printing, an honor unjustly robbed and possessed by others. The said Laurens 
Coster took, one day after dinner, or on a feast day, a walk in the Hout (wood) and began to cut 
letters on the back of a beech. He printed these letters reversed on paper, and thus made out of 
amusement some lines, which were to serve as copies to his grandchildren." 
Then follows information about perfecting the invention, and the new 
merchandise (books) having attracted purchasers from every side, from 
whose purchases great profits were made : INTRODUCTION. 
XXVII 
" But this was also a source of evil. Among the workmen was a certain Johannes who 
was a sworn printer, who learned the art of Coster, and Xmas night (in 1441), when all good 
Christians used to go to mass, broke into his master's shop, and took the store of types and tools 
and fled by the way of Amsterdam and Cologne to Mentz, where he opened a workshop 
and reaped the fruits of his theft." 
To be perfectly consistent, we ought to believe that this thief carried 
away with him the invention; for it was not known again in Harlem until 
practiced by Bellaert in 1483. 
After reading the whole of this statement, we are left to infer that 
Coster was so discouraged and chagrined at his loss that he melted his 
types and passed into oblivion. 
This unsatisfactory chapter in this singular history ends with a state- 
ment that Junius had these facts 
"From old trustworthy men, who had obtained them from one Cornelis, an old man of more than 
eighty years of age, who had been a servant in the workship of Coster, and had slept in the same bed 
with the thief Johannes for several months, and could never speak of the affair without shedding 
tears and bursting into most passionate imprecations against the villain who had so shamefully robbed 
his master's honor." 
If we are guided in forming our conclusions by the light of subsequent 
events, we must admit that Cornelis shed his tears and uttered his impreca- 
tions to very little purpose during his life. He must have been a person of 
such bad repute that those who knew him neither respected his assertions 
of fact, his tears, nor his imprecations. The patriotic duty of recording and 
rescuing them from oblivion devolved upon Junius, one hundred and 
forty-eight years after the crime. Those who lived at the time of Cor- 
nelis did not have sufficient faith in his sayings to deem them worthy of 
perpetuation. In these statements of Coornhert and Junius are contained 
the substance of what Van der Linde calls the " Haarlem Legend." 
The town oracle, the village gossip, the chief story-teller of the local 
pot-house, is of no country, time, or place ; we are all acquainted with him, 
and have known of him from childhood; and may not this Cornelis, who slept 
with the apocryphal Johannes, have belonged to that universal family of 
boasting egotists who sacrifice truth for the purpose of being the heroes of 
an hour ? 
If there is any one trait in the Dutch character which stands out in 
bolder relief than others, it is the love of gain, of persistence in the pursuit of 
wealth. Here we have the account of anew invention, a lucrative business, a 
practical monopoly, controlled and owned by one person, and yielding large 
profits. An alleged thief, a dishonest workman, steals a few implements XXVIII 
INTRODUCTION. 
connected with this profitable industry, gets away with them to another 
country, and the Harlem inventor of printing, the tradesman and his great 
business, are never known or heard of again. Is it possible that this state- 
ment can be true ? Would not the average Dutchman, or average man of 
any other nationality, have made other implements to replace those stolen, 
and gone on making money ? 
Up to this time not a single printed sheet or page, in any way connecting 
Coster with the invention of printing, has been discovered. Many learned 
authors have written upon his side of this question, and all have failed 
to produce any facts which in any way remotely or directly corroborate 
the statements of Coornhert and Junius. 
Holland in general and Harlem in particular have glorified the legend 
and those who have tried to pass it off for fact. Harlem has erected a 
statue to Coster, composed inscriptions and struck medals, and also formed 
a museum of Costerian relics, none of which have been proved to have had 
any connection with the invention of printing at Harlem. 
There is one phase of this history which is particularly curious. I refer 
to the lack of harmony in the statements of the Costerians. In stating facts 
their authors are at variance. According to Van der Linde, twelve writers 
give eleven different dates for the year of the invention. They are also 
at sea when it comes to the name of the thief and the dates of his crime ; 
and they are especially contradictory about the name and occupations of 
their inventor. Some call him a Sheriff, Sherift-sexton, Sheriff-sacristan, 
Laurens Jansen, Laurens Jansen Coster, Laurens Janszoon Coster, and 
Sheriff-chandler. One, perhaps the most learned of these advocates, says 
he printed with movable wooden types, while others assert that he invented 
zylography, as well as typography, and printed books by both processes. 
If the inference to which we are led by Mr. Hessels' book be correct, 
that the Gutenberg claim is the result of a scheme or conspiracy between 
several persons to force it into existence, then we must admit that there was 
a better understanding among them as to dates, names, and places, than 
among the advocates of the Coster claim, who do not agree as to any one 
of the many alleged facts upon which their scheme is based. 
Before the end of the fifteenth century seventy-five different presses had 
been established in twenty-two places in the Low Countries, and upward 
of eighteen hundred and fifty different editions of various works had been 
issued from them. No book from these presses is known which mentions 
Coster as the inventor or Harlem as the birthplace of printing. INTRODUCTION. 
XXIX 
This is most unaccountable ! Is it not very strange that no citizen of 
Holland, then an enlightened country, thought enough of such an event as 
the invention of printing to make some mention of it at the time or soon 
after the discovery was made ? Here is an unsatisfactory gap in the his- 
tory of Holland which no amount of conjecture, assertion, or sophistry 
can bridge over. 
It is quite clear that there is no admissible testimony which points to 
Harlem as the birthplace of printing. And we are compelled to believe 
that the claims of that city have been manufactured out of unsubstantial 
hearsay, and sustained by many years of boastful assertion. 
On the side of Germany and Gutenberg there is a large quantity of 
contemporaneous documentary testimony, statements of the colophons, pre- 
sumably written by the printers of the works in which they are found, and 
the writings of intelligent, disinterested, reputable authors, all unimpeached 
and produced before the Harlem claim had been made. From this mass 
of admissible evidence there is but one logical conclusion, viz.: that John 
Gutenberg was the inventor of printing with movable (metal) types. 
We are under the greatest possible obligations to Mr. Hessels for the 
results of his patient researches, which he has so carefully and minutely 
recorded. And all those who are interested in the history of early printing, 
must acknowledge the usefulness of his excellent work, and at the same time 
thank him for the assistance he has rendered Van der Linde in defeating 
the Harlem claim, and making that of Gutenberg more definite and certain. 
New-York, May i, 1884. 
R C. H. A LIST OF COUNTRIES 
In Chronological Order, together with Dates of first Books, and the Number 
of Cities, Towns, etc., in each Country, in which Printing Presses were 
established before the End of the Fifteenth Century. 
i. Germany . . . 1450-1456-Nov. 15, 1454 . 50 
11. Italy . . . 1465 . . . . 71 
in. Bohemia . . . 1468 4 
iv. Switzerland . . 1468 .... 7 
v. France . . . 1470 36 
vi. Holland . . . 1473 .... 14 
vii. Belgium . . . 1473 7 
vm. Hungary . . . 1473 .... 1 
ix. Spain .... 1474 26 
x. Austria . . . 1475 .... 4 
xi. Poland. . . . 1475 1 
xii. England . . . 1477 .... 3 
xm. Savoy . . . .1481 2 
xiv. Denmark . . . 1482 .... 3 
xv. Sweden . . . 1483 2 
xvi. Turkey . . . 1488 .... 1 
xvii. Portugal . . . 1489 3 
xviii. Montenegro . . 1494 .... 1 
Total Number of Cities, Towns, etc., 236 GERMANY. 
MENTZ. 
Biblia Sacra Latina ; 2 volumes, folio; 2 columns of 42 lines 
each. Vol. I., Old Testament, 374 leaves. Vol. IL, New Testa- 
ment, 317 leaves. [Mentz: Jo. Gutenberg, 1450-55.] Without 
title-page, pagination, or signatures. 
This is believed to be the first edition of the Bible, and also the first 
book printed with movable metal types. It was formerly called the 
" Mazarine Bible," because the first copy identified was found in the library 
of Cardinal Mazarin, at Paris ; but it is now known as the Gutenberg Bible. 
The paper copy at the National Library, Paris, has inscriptions by Henricum 
Albch, alias Cremer, at the end of each volume, the earliest of which states 
that the illuminations and rubrication of the second volume were com- 
pleted on the day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (August 15), 1456. 
1450 
U55 2 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
The following list of all the known copies of this Bible was compiled by 
S. Austin Allibone, of the Lenox Library, New-York, and printed in the 
" Literary World " of November 18, 1882. 
Copies on Vellum. 
1. . . Royal Library, Paris. 
11. . . Royal Library, Berlin. 
in. . British Museum. 
iv. . Earl of Ashburton's Library. 
v. . . Leipsic Library. 
vi.. . Heinrich Klemm, Dresden. 
vii. . Library at Dresden : a fragment 
only. 
Copies on Paper. 
1. . . Royal Library, Paris. 
11. . . Mazarine Library, Paris. 
in. . Imperial Library, Vienna. 
iv.. . Public Library, Treves. 
v. . . Bodleian Library, Oxford. 
vi. . . Advocates' Library, Edinburgh. 
vii. . George IIL's Library, British 
Museum. 
Vin. . Duke of Sussex's Library. 
ix.. . Duke of Devonshire's Library. 
x. . . Earl of Spencer's Library. 
xi.. . Lenox Library. 
xii. . Library of John Fuller. 
xiii. . Lloyd's Library. 
xiv. . Leipsic Library. 
xv. . Munich Library. 
xvi. . Frankfort Library. 
xvii. . Hanover Library. 
xvm. Emperor of Russia's Library. 
xix. . Library at Mentz. 
xx. . Huth Library. 
xxi. . Library of Hamilton Cole, of New- 
York. 
The earliest dated specimen of printing with movable metal types is a 
Letter of Indulgence, of November 15, 1454. It was probably printed by 
Gutenberg, at Mentz. 
The highest price ever paid for a book printed with movable types was 
at the sale of the collection of Henry Perkins, at London, in 1873, when 
a vellum copy of this Bible sold for <£3400, or $16,490. 
STRASBURG. 
Biblia Sacra Latina. [Strasburg: John Mentelin, 1459-60-61.] 
Without title-page, pagination, or signatures ; 477 leaves, printed 
in double columns; 49 lines to the full column. 
A copy of this Bible in the University Library at Freiburg, in Breisgau 
Baden, is in two volumes; has at the end of the first this inscription : "Ex- 
U59 
1460 
1461 OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
3 
plicit psalteriu 1460"; and at the end of the second, "Explicit Apocalipsis 
Anno dni M° CCCC LXI." The authenticity of the inscriptions is vouched 
for by the fact that they were made by the same hand which rubricated 
every page in both volumes. Accepting these dates as made in good faith, a 
press must have been set up at Strasburg as early as 1459, which would 
entitle that city to the position, in the history of printing, which has usually 
been assigned to Bamberg, since the first volume of the Mentelin edition has 
an implied earlier date than any known copy of the so-called Bamberg Bible. 
I am therefore compelled to give Strasburg the second place in the chrono- 
logical arrangement which I have adopted. Within the first six leaves of the 
second volume, there are eight large wood-cut floriated initials. 
BAMBERG. 
Boners Edelstein, Fabelbuch, in German. [Bamberg: Albrecht 
Pfister, February 14, 1461.] Quarto, 88 leaves, 25 lines; rhymed 
text; illustrated with 85 wood-cuts, believed to have been en- 
graved by Pfister. 
In following the plan marked out, I am compelled to give this book the 
first place at Bamberg instead of the Bible of 36 lines, commonly known as 
the Bamberg or Pfister Bible. It seems to me that this Bible must have 
been produced by the same set of workmen who printed the Gutenberg 
Bible; many points of resemblance in each edition lead to this conclusion. I 
am not of those who believe that the Gutenberg Bible was the result of a 
first experiment. Years of patient labor must have been spent, and many 
vexatious failures and partial successes experienced, before this splendid 
work was produced. Might not the Bible of 36 lines have been produced 
by Gutenberg during these years of experiment ? I do not assert this, but 
merely suggest its probability. At all events, I venture the assertion that 
there is no convincing evidence that it was printed by Pfister, at Bamberg 
or elsewhere. 
The only copy of the Fabelbuch known to be in existence is in the 
library at Wolfenbiittel. 
1461 4 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
COLOGNE. 
Joannis Chrysostomi super psalmo quinquagesimo liber primus. 
[Colophon:].... per me Ulricu zel de hanau clericu diocesis 
mogiitinen. Anno dni millesimo quadrigetesimo [sexagesimo] 
sexto. Quarto, 10 leaves. 
This is the first book, with a date, known to have been printed at Cologne. 
It is believed that others were issued there by Zell, earlier ; some bibli- 
ographers have mentioned 1462 as the time when he began printing in 
that city. 
A copy is in the National Library at Paris. 
1466 
ELTVILLE. 
Vocabularium Latino - Teutonicum, Ex Quo. [Colophon:] 
Presens hoc opusculu .... per Henricum Bechtermuncze 
in Altavilla est incohatum et demu sub anno Dni 
m. cccc. lxvii., .... quarta die mensis nouembris per nycolaum 
bechtermucze fratrem dicti Henrici et wygandu spyesz de orthen- 
berg e consummatii.... Quarto, 165 leaves. 
Books from the Eltville press are among the most interesting and curious 
of the fifteenth century. They have become exceedingly rare, and are 
seldom offered for sale. These printers succeeded to the implements 
and shop property of Gutenberg, and printed this work before his death 
with the types he used in printing the Catholicon, in 1460,- his last book. 
A copy of this edition, in the National Library at Paris, is believed to 
be unique. 
1467 OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
5 
AUGSBURG. 
S. Bonaventura: Meditationes vitae domini nostri Jesu Christi. 
[Colophon:] Impressum hoc psens opusculu i Augusta, p me 
Gintherum dictii zeyner de reutlingen, mi0 ydus Marcii, anno 
lx° octavo. Folio, 71 leaves. 
Several writers have fixed the time of first printing at Augsburg as early 
as 1466, but the date of this book is the earliest known. There is a copy 
in the National Library, Paris, and another at Althorp. Some of the early 
examples of the Augsburg press are highly prized on account of the wood- 
cuts with which they are illustrated. It might almost be said that the 
first school of wood-engraving in Europe was founded at that city. It 
must be understood that this assertion does not include or refer to those 
engravers who were engaged producing xylographic books. 
1468 
NUREMBERG. 
Francisci de Retza Comestorium Vitiorum. [Colophon:] Hie 
codex egregius Comestorij viciorum .... finit feliciter. 
Nuremberge Anno 9c. lxx° .... impssus. Folio, 286 leaves. 
This book was probably printed by John Sensenschmidt and Henri 
Kefer. A copy can be found at the National Library, Paris. Kohler 
mentions a man by the name of Henri Kefer who learned the art of print- 
ing from Gutenberg, and went from Mentz to Nuremberg. 
This city occupies a prominent position in the early history of printing, 
particularly on account of the enterprise of one of its printers, Anthony 
Koberger, who had more presses at work and produced a greater number 
of books than any other three printers of his time. 
1470 6 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
SPIRE. 
Postilla scholastica super Apocalypsin et super Cantica canti- 
corum. [Colophon:] Explicit Postilia stolastica .... impssa 
Spire anno lxxi°. Quarto, 15 leaves. 
This is probably the earliest dated book printed at Spire. In 1477 the 
name of Peter Drach appears for the first time, and he has been designated 
by several authorities as the first printer in that city, no other name having 
previously appeared. This book is of great rarity, and I know of no other 
copy than the one at the National Library, Paris. 
i47i 
ESSLINGEN. 
Thomas de Aquino. Summae Theologicae secundae Partis Pars 
secunda. [r. of 9th leaf:] ( ) ost pmune psideraconem de 
virtutibus et vicijs .... [Colophon:] m cccc lxxij. Laus 
deo. Folio, 290 leaves, 2 columns of 58 lines. 
The two books, which are mentioned first in Panzer, under the title of 
Esslingen, and supposed to have been printed by Conrad Fyner in 1473, 
are of the same type, workmanship, and paper as the work above described. 
His third book, Joannis Gerson collectorium, contains the first musical 
characters (notes) printed with movable metal types. Although the name 
of Fyner does not appear until 1474, there can be no reasonable doubt of 
his having printed the work of 1472. 
1472 
LAUGINGEN. 
Liber beati. Augustini ypponensis episcopi de Consensu 
euangelistarum. [Colophon:] Liber .... explicit feliciter. In 
U73 LAUGINGEN. . .1473. 
^LATE NO. 1. 
appeUanbpioCeph pat crifti quia non eum cocumbendo ge* 
nuerat *quando qbcm recte pater efCet etia eip que no exfua 
comuge procreatu aliunbeaboptafftt.putaba€qbem xps eti 
am aliter filip iotepb tanq; ex eius omino carne progenitus* 
feb ab eis boc putabat quos marie latebat virgitas*na lucas 
ait.Etipfe ibs erat incipies qG annoy triginta ut putabat 
filip ioftph« q tn lucas no eius parete Cola maria.ftbambos 
paretes eip appellate mime dubitauitabi ait.puer autcrcCce 
bat * ofoztabat plenus <apia*et gra Si erat in illo .et sbat pa 
renteseiusper oes anosin irFmi bieftlenni pafce.feb ne q'f 
q? bic parentes confanguinecs potius marie cuipfa matre 
tip intelligebos putet .Qiiib ab ills rnbebifqg ipe ibej lu* 
ras fupip bixtt *€t erat pat eius et mater mirates ftp bisq 
dicebat 6 illo.Cu igi£ ipe narret no ex ocubitu icftpb • Q ex 
maria uginenatii xpm*vn eu patre ep appellat nifi q'a viru 
marie rcte itelligimp fn omixtioe carnis ipa copFatoe oiugii. 
et cb boc etia enfti patre multo oiunctip g, ex ep piuge natp 
fit'q^ fiei effet aliube aboptatus. Vn manifeCtu eftilU q$ 
ait*«c vt putaLat films ioftpb • propt illos bixifle q'eum ex 
ioftpb^Gcut alii homines naftunt^natum arbitrabant - 
Per k°c «tia fi aliq's demonftrare poflet maria ex 
j! dauib nulla cofaguinitatis oiiginem bucere*fat erat 
/i JLLfcSm iftarationem criftu accipere filium dauib q 
ratoe etia icfeph pat eip rcte appellatPe*qntomagis q'a cu e 
mbent bicat apts paulus ex ftmie dauib fttfm came criCtum 
ipfa 4 maria $ ftpe bauib aliqua oftnguitat? buxifle .dubita 
re vtiefe no bebemus*ex cuip femie quo? nec facerbotale genp 
tace t iiinuate luca q, ognata ep eet elijabeth qua bic S filiabp 
aaromfirmiffimc tenebu e came crifti ex vtroefegne propaga 
ta*et regiS ft; et facbotii i q'bus pftnis ap8 illu ppFm hebic* 
oy etia miftica vnetio figurabat ibe cnCma vnbe crifti no" 
me elucet*tanto an etia ifta euibetiffia lignificatoe pnuciatu 
aucs aut mouet g> alios jageneratores matbus enuat 
tffcebesa dauib vf% ab iofepb*p alios at lucas afte 
bens a ioftpb vf4 ab bauib »facile e vt abutat buos 
paties habere potuifie icfepb'vnu a quo genitp *altey a quo 
fuerit aoptatus'antiq efttnimconftetuboabcp'tanbi etiam 
facomitatu trium illoif euageliftarum cam mebiatoze cnfto 
ambdans eum qui films oei Temper eft propter nos filium 
bominisfactum vt ftmpiterna virtus eiuset diuimtas no* 
lire mfirmitati et moztalitati contemperata *be noftro no* 
bis m ft atc^ ab ft faceret viam*cum magna (pet leticia fibe* 
liter teneat*ne peccet a rege chnfto regatur*fifoite peccaue* 
tit ab eodem Tacerdote cbrifto ejjpiet at<^ ita m actione bo* 
ne conuerfttionis etvite nutritispennisgemine bilectionis 
tanqm buabp aliis validis euectus a terris ab eobe ipfb xpo 
verbo illuminetur-verbo quob m pnncipio erat*et verbu c$ 
apud deum erat*et verbum beus erat*et fiper fpeculu enig 
matedoge tn fublimipab omni fimilitubme co:pali*quapto 
pter q;uis m ill i s tribusactiue vite*m iobannis autem euan 
geho bona contemplatiue virtutis duceat bis qui bee bmo* 
(cere ftntidonertn hoc iobams quo q$ e? parte eft*lic ma 
nebit bonec veniat quob perfectum eft*et alii quidem datur 
per fpiritu fermo (apientie *alii fermo ftietie ftcuntum eun 
bem fpiritunralius enim biem domini Opit*aljus 6 pectoie 
domini liqbtus allquit) bibit • alius leuatus v(4 ab tercium 
return m efftbilia verba audit* omnes tamen qmdiu Cuntrn 
corpore peregrinantur a bomino et omnibus bone (pei fweli 
bus m hbro vite ftriptis feruatur quod bictum eft* et ego bi 
ligam eum*et eftenbam meipfum till •veruntamen in bac p 
cgrinaticnequantu rei Bilip mtelligentia vel Ccietia quiftfe ,p* 
fecent tantomagis caueat biabolica vicia (uperbiam et mui 
biam*meminerit bic ipfum euangelium iobannis *qm multo 
amplms engit ab cotemplationem ventatis*tam multo am* 
plius perciper? de bulcebme caritatis ♦ €t quia illub prece* 
p.tum veriffimum ac faluberrimu eft* quanto magnus es tan 
to bumilia te in ommbus*qui euangelifta cbnRum longe ce 
terisaltius commenbat apud eum =i bifcipulis pedes lauat« 
Liber. Beati.Augufttni.ypponenfis* Gpiftopi be Conftnft 
euangeliftarum*explicit feliciter.In ciuitate.Laugmgen.Im 
pieflus.Anno a partu Virginis (alutifero.Millefimoquabiin 
gentefimofeptuagefimotercio.PnbicJdus* Apiilis • OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
7 
ciuitate. Laugingen. Impressus. Anno .... Millesimo quad- 
ringentesimo septuagesimo tercio. Pridie. Idus. Aprilis. Folio, 
106 leaves. 
Up to this time there have been very few, if any, conjectures published 
concerning the history of this book, and no one has ventured to name the 
unknown printer. The capital letters of this work resemble closely one of 
the sets used by Anthony Sorg, of Augsburg. Copies are in the National 
Library at Paris, and in the collection of the author. See plate No. 1. 
ULM. 
Alberti Magni Opus de mysterio missae. [Colophon:] In opido 
imperiali Vim, per Johanne czeyner de Reutlingen, m° cccc0 
Ixxiij, die xxix maij. Folio, 135 leaves. 
Dr. Hassler, a writer upon early printing at Ulm, maintains that Hoghen- 
wang was its first printer, and claims that a Vocabularium Latino-Teutonicum 
was his first book, and that it was printed before the year 1469. Still, 
the fact remains that the one described contains the earliest known date of 
any Ulm book. There is a copy in the National Library, Paris, and another 
in the collection of the author. See plate No. 2. 
1473 
MERSEBURG. 
Liber de Qu^estionibus Orosil Incipiunt questiones Orosij ad 
beatii Augustinu Episcopum yponensem Prologus. [Colophon:] 
Finit liber beati Augustini .... A luca brandis ex opido delczsch 
pgenito Nunc aiit vrbe Marispoli commanenti .... Anno 
.... millesimo quadringentesimo septuagesimo tercio Nonas 
uero Augusti quinto. Quarto, 30 leaves. 
A work of great rarity. The Althorp collection has an incomplete copy. 
1473 8 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
MARIENTHAL. 
Breviarium et psalterium Moguntinense. [Colophon:] Hoc 
volumen breuiarii psalteriique Moguntinensis artis impressoriae 
industria perfectum, feliciter consummatum est in domo fratrum 
clericorum communis vite Vallis Sancte Marie eiusdem diceceseos 
in Ringkauia Anno domini m. cccc. lxxiv. Sabbato post 
Reminiscere. 2 parts. Quarto, 721 leaves. 
This is probably the first book with a date from the Marienthal press. 
There is, however, in existence a Letter of Indulgence, which it is supposed 
these brothers printed six years earlier. A Chapter of this Brotherhood 
were the first printers at Brussels; three books from that press are dated 
from 1474 to 1487, and a third Chapter had a press at Rostock, in 1476. 
Several writers agree that the Marienthal Chapter went to that place from 
the Monastery of Weidenbach, near Cologne, in 1463. But it is not known 
when they issued their first work. These books of Marienthal are not of 
exceeding rarity, but are of considerable value. A very imperfect copy 
of the one described sold for 1500 marks in 1881. Copies are at Mentz, 
Darmstadt, and Paris. 
1474 
LUBECK. 
Rudimentum Noviciorum. Epithoma partes in sex juxta mundi 
sex aetates divisum, prius alibi non receptum quod placuit rudi- 
mentum noviciorum intitulari. [Colophon:] Anno 1475, die 
5 Augusti, in urbe Lubicina [per Lucam Brandis de Schass]. 
2 volumes, folio, 460 leaves. 
Brandis was the only printer at Merseburg during the fifteenth century. 
Santander says he left there in 1475 for Lubeck, where he had a press 
from that year to 1499. The catalogue of rare books exhibited at the 
1475 ULM. . .1473. 
Plat* No. 2. 
Vltimus yceffit matbias que abiecit ab numcp apfop 
oplens bolo fuo Fpmbolu et bices ct vita eterna/et bic 
articulus Funbar Tup trium pFonap opatioj in gta/vbi 
pr miniftzat poffe/Filius aut nofce 62 Fpus vita Pm ome 
poffe et noFce,Stna eni vita c q nuq| babebit buratois 
tminu/q eft adua Flues biuin? a beo in beatos/vt totu 
g? in ipia e Felicti viuat omtb? inFumitatib?/q mtc mot 
tis Futplubia Fiigatis i*Cor jcv* Abfozbta eft mors in 
vidona, Sibirautbecvitain Fonte vite beo trinitate 
licut bicit pa Dne aput te e Fons vite/ & in lumine tuo 
vibe him? lumc*bic C igzoffo cjcpoitu e Fpmbolu aptop 
g? Fuit pmum £>cjcto be Fpmbolo npceno 
a. Vltiplicatis aut befib? ouenezut ccqcviij pres 
[in nicena Gnoboet Ipmbolu non atiub ab ipo 
bidu e/ ft} eofbe articulos magis ab erzotis 
c^DcluFioe ejcplauezut/GS pmu qba aticulu ita ejtpffezut 
bicen testCzebo in vnu beu prem omnipotent? Fa doze 
cell etire vifibiliu otm etinuilibiliu♦ £tifte tot? ita eft 
cppffns otza enoze paganopee bereticop q manicbei a 
qnoba«mane bercftazcba cop bicunt Pagani eni mftoa 
beos eanbe biuinitate babentes/ et abinFtce bifferetes 
effe bi)cerunt»JVlanes aut buos bocuit ce beos, et buo 
pncipia Fc$ beii lucis/et bcii tenebrap/ vnu beii bon op 
pncipiwet aliu pncipiu mafop«'& boc ibeo Fuit/qa ena 
res bijcerut malu beu ee tm malop / et ibeo babe main 
efficiente ca}«q> cu no poffit ee bon? be?/bijterutmalu 
beuee pncipiu malop,Con qo bi^erut pres, Crebo in 
vnu bcu/quia Sjcobi bicifypOns beus tuus vnus eft 
et non erunt tibi bp alp pter me ps IQon ezit in te beus 
recens/ ne$ abozabis beum alienum* ego eni Fum bns 
Cum autem btcii vn us beus/ non e bee vnitas que in 
atiquo gen ere cabat/vel Ipe vnitatis czeate mftiplica? 
in plurimis Fuis Fiqpofitis in quibus eft,pctrus enim 
et JUartinus nec Fun tvnum animal nec vn? bomo Fm 
€t boc ibeo fit gj catbecuminus inftruitur / et ibeo ab 
illam partem qua in beftru dione effe bipmusabmitti 
tur/ quia vero catbecuminus nonbum eft baptilatusz 
et ibeo non eft jtptanus, Jbeo ab illam partem miffe / 
que eft be commumone Fibetium non abmittitut/Feb ey 
ire pzecipitnr ,iOoc igitur eft qo be miffarum peradioe 
breuiter/ct gtoffe vibebatur effe bicenbum Alia fubn 
liamelioribusrelinqttts&ot&Deogcias Amen •) 
Opus be mifterio miffe/ Dm Alberti / mag 
autoii tate rabiana / Jn quo nicbil trabituf 
aut bocetur / quob non fcripturap bignis 
teftimonps compzobeL^n opibo impeziali 
Vlm/perjobanneqepner be Reutlingen 
luma cum biligentia impreffnm ♦ Anno a 
natiuitate bomt O^cccc0 ♦ tjcpii) • Die ypij 
menlis/Dap felicu Finite OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
9 
National Library in Paris, which describes this book, says : * * * " Le 
volume expose est ouvert de maniere a presenter une mappemonde de 
forme circulaire, premiere carte de cette nature qui ait ete gravee." 
BRESLAU. 
Synodalia Statuta Epi Conradi. [Colophon:] Wratislaviae 
per Cunradum Elyan (succentor) impressa, 9 oct. 1475. 
Quarto, 65 leaves. 
This book is extremely rare; I know of but one copy, and that is in the 
University Library at Prague. I made an examination of it in the summer 
of 1882, and ascertained to my satisfaction that I have in my collection a 
work resembling in mechanical execution the " Synodalia Statuta," 
which must have been produced by this printer, printed upon the same 
kind of paper, with the same types, and having a corresponding number of 
lines to a page. The title of my book is "Tractus de Instructione Sim- 
plicium Confessorum," by " Anthonio Archiepiscopo Florintino." I have 
not been able to discover that my example of the Breslau press has been 
mentioned by any writer, and I regard it as a curiosity worthy of an 
illustration. See plate No. 3. 
1475 
BLAUBEUREN. 
Albertus de Eyb. Ob ein ma sey zu neme ein elich wib oder nit. 
[Colophon :] m. cccc. lxxv. Conradus Manez zu Blauburren. 
Octavo, 144 leaves. 
This is believed to be the only book printed in this town during the 
fifteenth century. Deschamps suggests that Manez was one of the wan- 
dering printers. 
1475 10 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
BURGDORF. 
Jacobus de Clusa. Tractatus de apparitionibus animarum post 
exitum ea[rum] a corporib? Edit? in erdfordia ab . . . . Jacobo 
de Clusa ord. Carth. [Colophon:] Impressus in opido Burg- 
dorf, anno dni 1475. Folio, 26 leaves of 33 lines. 
Several writers contend that this book was printed at Burgdorf, in 
Switzerland ; but the weight of authority seems to be in favor of a town 
of that name in Hanover. I record it as of the latter place without comment 
1475 
ROSTOCK. 
Lactancij Firmiani de diuinis institutionibus aduersus gentes 
rubrice primi libri incipiunt. [Colophon:] Per fratres pres- 
biteros et clericos cogregationis domus viridis orti ad scm 
Michaelem in opido Rostockcen ptium inferioris Sclauie .... 
Anno .... millesimo quadringetesimo septuagesimo sexto. 
Quinto Idus Aprilis. Folio, 203 leaves. 
Here we have another instance of the enterprise of the Brothers of Com- 
mon Life. Seeing that the newly discovered art of printing would deprive 
them of the revenues derived from copying, it is probable that they 
employed printers and sold the results of their labor. The last book 
bearing their Rostock imprint is dated April 5, 1481. A copy of the 
Lactantius is in the author's collection. See plate No. 4. 
1476 
REICHENSTEIN. 
Dyalog[us] suf libertate ecclesiastica inter hugonem decanu 
et oliuerium burgimagistrum et catonem secretariu . . . . 
[Colophon :] Explicit dyalogus .... Rychenstein impressus. 
1477 BRESLAU . . . 1475. 
Plate No. 3. 
cos leb parati feinp obebire illi ufabbere 
re quern feienter feirent peril papa qz all 
asino2talicerpeccarent' 921 quismnitu? 
ozbmaciombus faetts a Pafinaticis qz eft 
erconnriiicatus extra be leirex'C'i' 
nifibelitate lubcou ♦?] )pe iFibolirate 
uel paganot^ uel l;ereticoxt quoj£ qblibet 
eft grauiftimu pein bucens ab bamnacio 
nem non opozret hie oicere. filter l?os lb 
lutn bereticiruntexconniicati'ftba cum a 
Irjs pcipue lubeis non bebet baberi minis 
bomeftica suer Patio a pcipue poeote |?o 
tee ramen interrogate ut vibeiMi bab} 
aliqnob bubium in bis que funt f ibei ut b 
lacramento altaris a bnibi'afi be boc ba 
bet birplrcecia non curanbu Sbi ante volii 
tarie er fponte bubitat efter tnozrale' t2e 
rericus quilibet e exebmurcatus et no pot 
ablblin circa feoeinapticam ut pan in jicef 
lu»^ntein crebes receptatot ut fautoz be 
reticoi^ finiilr eft excoicac? ut extza be be 
rericts Ttfoe amhittone. 
ainbirione que feebit ex fupbia a tin 
po2tat mo2bmatu a^etitu bono2is a mul 
turn ?pirur m plans a bins etia mterroga 
bum eft ut ftj befiberauit aliqua big 
nitate nd benefitiu curatu? rone oehbera 
ta principal? ^pter bonore uel utilitare te 
pozale peccauit mo2tal?» <bi befioerauir 
bignitate ufoffitiu aut bnfiriu ecciafticu 
uel ftcular ab qb eft mbignus er inept? ut 
q2 ignarus utcrimiolus et bmovqz pecca 
uic mo2tal? maxime ft befiberauit Ijmoi c 
cia facienbo orrapcepta* 921 quefiuit ho 
no2ernbe quaciiq? re ira iho2bmate tpibi 
oftirueritfmemottale e>^n alps cafib? 
tamen ueniale berifione 
berifione que aliqfi feeble ex Cupbia 
ctia mterroganbu eft ft vi? beeifit lacrain 
ta autuerba facra uel alia 6ma rilipeoes 
ea aut lanctos tiros aut plaros aut pfoas 
religiofas aut parentes aut polentee beo 
fenfire nt lie rerrabent eos q2 mortal? pec 
cauit?f^2i ftubinfe benfir alique mtebes 
ep boc miuria eius et pilificaconem uel no 
tabilem pturbationem eras'uel berifit be OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
11 
Anno .... Millesimo quadringentesimo septuagesimo septimo 
mensis lunij die vero decimaquarta. Folio, 14 leaves. 
This is a specimen of early printing of the greatest rarity. Several 
writers are not quite clear about its having come from a press at Reichen- 
stein. The language of the Colophon, however, seems explicit and plain; 
why its truthfulness is doubted is beyond my comprehension. Of its 
printer nothing whatever is known. 
SCHUSSENRIED. (Sortense Monasterium.) 
Leon. Aretinus, Calphurnia et Gurgulio Comedia. [Colophon:] 
Finit felicite, leonardP AretinP jn monasterio, Sorten. Anno 
dni M° qdringetesimo septuagesimo octauo. Folio, 14 leaves. 
A copy of this book may be seen at the National Library in Paris. It 
has never attracted much attention from the bibliographers, and conse- 
quently there have been few, if any, speculations about this unknown 
printer. 
1478 
EICHSTADT. 
Henrici de Segvsio .... vulgo Hostiensis, summa super 
Titulis Decretalium. [Colophon :] Desideratum huius summe 
hostiensis finem aduexit mensis februarii dies decimus octavus 
quo post .... mille quadringenti septuaginta novem anni 
transiere. [The first volume is dated 1478.] 2 volumes, folio, 
581 leaves. 
I 
Of the forty-two books credited to Eichstadt during the fifteenth century, 
eight are dated and only five have the names of the printers. The books 
which bear the name of Michael Reyser, the first printer, are so marked 
in their leading characteristics that those who are acquainted with their 
1478 
1479 12 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
peculiarities have no difficulty in assigning those that have neither name 
nor date to the right place. Of this printer it may be safely said that he 
left the means of identification upon every page of his work. Copies of 
the above are in the Library at Munich, and also in the collection of the 
author. See plate No. 5. 
WURZBURG. 
Breviarium Dicecesis Herbipolensis. [r. of 7th leaf.] Privilegium 
.... datum Magistris Stephano Dold, leorio Ryser et Johanni 
Bekenhub dicto Mentzer opus hoc imprimendi, in Civitate 
Herbipolensi. Anno domini millesimo quadringentesimo sep- 
tuagesimo nono, die vicesima mensis septembris. Folio, 347 
leaves. 
leorio Ryser, the second member of this firm, is supposed to have been 
Georgius Reyser, who was at Eichstadt in 1483. Beckenhaub had a press at 
Strasburg in 1473, and a third at Ratisbon in 1485. 
1479 
ERFURT. 
Lectionarium de tempore duodecim ac trium lectionum 
Erphordiae, mcccclxxix. Folio, 104 leaves. 
This book was probably printed by Paul Wider de Hornbach, the first 
known printer at Erfurt. I know of no copy in any public or private 
collection. 
1479 ROSTOCK . . . 1476. 
C^/3 Auont8m Seritas m ob^curo latf re 
J8|| 4k aobnc exiftimatun net erroze atq? impenti a vul 
/IK III var^ n mepus fupftitonbus fenuetis ud 
111 pbflofopbisptaiutatemge 
A potius $ tlluftrentibus .et fi non qualis in cbar 
Tfullio fuitqiua pzedpua etaomirabiFfiut: 
aliqnam when ^imam eloquence oringere facuftatem< ut qi:an / 
turn veritas vi faa ^pna valeat.* tanm mgenii quoq? vinbus mxa 
ererceret (e aliquanbo.rr bifcufTis cDniiidtTqj tarn publids $ eozu 
qui fapientes putantur errozibus<biiano genen clanffimum lumen 
inferret. ® uoo quibem ouabus ex caufis fieri vellem.ud quoo ma 
gis portent crebere homines oznate venturi quieriam menoacto ere 
ount.capti oretioms oznatn lenocmiocv tie! certe ut ipi phi 
lofopbi fiusarmis potiffimu qtubus placere fibi et ofibere folet op/ 
pzimerentur a nobis. Teo qm beus banc voluit rei elTe naturem ut 
Simplex et nuoa veritas ertet luculentiot quia (ads omsta per fe eft 
3?xocv oznamentis extrmfecus acoitisfucata cozrumpit* openoa/ 
dum veto fpecie placet aliena quia pfe cozruptu vanefat ac befluit 
mfi aliunte oznatu quefitowcumlttum fuerit ac pclitum: equo am 
moferomgemum mibi meoiocre fiufie coceHum-Verum ego non 
doquetie fen Venturis fibuda fiifcepi hoc opus; mains fozta He $ pof 
fit meis mribus fiiftmeri * quoo tame eriam fi ego tefecerim tro cu 
tus eft hoc munus aoiuuate. ventas ipa compfebir ^temm cum fa 
enriam marimos quofi^ omtozesa eaufioids meoiccqbus (epe vic 
tos q> tata eft pqtenria ventaris %ut reipfam ^uis m rebus exigiiis 
fua dadtatt befenrat.^ur banc ego m maxima caufa ab mgemofis 
quiCem ilhs ac oifertis niris: Teo tamen falfa oicentbus oppzefTum 
iri pu^m.ac nou ilia fi minus otatione nofttaque he tsmuifote an 
Hiooum exilis emanatdumine tamen fuo data et lUuRris appareZ 
ar- l!J2ec fi pbilofbpbi Oodrina Itarum micbilea extiti tin tego illis 
eriam faentiam ven cogrnrionemq? conceHenm. quamnemocogi 
tanbo aut oiCputaDo afTequi poteft. l&ecp emm nunc- repz eben bo eo 
rum ftubium: qui veritatem fare voluerunt. quia natuta bomims 
beus veri aoipifeenbi cupientiftimam fedt feo marguo io reumco: 
q> boneftam illozum i oprimam volnntatem no fit featus effed^: 
quia nec^ quid eflet verum ipfum facbanf neq? quomobo aut vbi 
aut qua mentequerenoum uta oum fuccurrere bumanis erronbus 
cuptuntnpfi le in plagas -7 errozes maximos mouxervt Ab hoc igt 
tur Lie opus coargueoi pbilolbpbiam fufeeptr matetie ozbo ipe be 
Plate No. 4. 
Tartar pielTa iacent.nec (ua iwta ftnent* 
Inferus mlaturabiliter caua guttuta panbens. 
Qui raperet Temper fit tufa pieca beus. 
fripis nmume^ populum be carcere mo:tis. 
ft (eqiutur liber quo Tuns audor abis. 
f uomit abTozptam paiube feta belua pleUm * 
ft be fauce tupi fubtrabit agnus ones. 
i?mc tumulu repetes poll tartara came reTumpta 
Belliger ab celos ampla tropbea refers. 
Chios babiut penale cbaos iam rebbinit ille> 
ft quos mozs petetettbos noua vita tenet. 
Rep facer ecce tui racist pars magna trophi. 
Cum piicas animas facta lauacra hant. 
Canoibus egrebitur mdois eperdtus vnois. 
Jltq? vetus vicium purgat m amne nouo. 
fulgente^ammas veftis quocp canbioa fignat* 
ft gtege oe m'ueo gauoia pallor babet. 
Hooitur bac fell): concozs mercebe faceroos. 
Qui oare vult bommo oupla talents liio. 
Ho meliora trabzns gcntili erroze vagantrs. 
Beftia nepaperct munit omle bei. 
Quos pus eua nocesjufeceratbosmobo tebbit 
Ecdcfie pallos ^Krela^e finu • Ilmen 
hadancq viti ped lends mgcni| qm vdfolus inter 
fcriptoees &pemmet mtote quob^j etcopiaivd nnl 
turn top feqiu'tur facuuoia fimul et lemtitr fetmonu. Diumap m/ 
ftittdonu aouerfug genas. De ia quoqj bei ab Donatum JRecnon 
et be opifido bet vel foimatione hommifab Pemettiann fimunt libzi 
pet taree ptesbifttos et chev? cogregationis bomus vinoifoid 
so fem CDicbaelem m opibo Roflockcen ptium mferions Sdaiue, 
#ut faoiltas et mouflria tulit emenbate fans et accurate Rumman. 
>lnno mcarnationis commice. ooillefimo qnabimgeteHmo feptua/ 
Cranas. OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
13 
PASSAU. 
Breviarii Pataviensis Pars aestivalis. [Colophon:] Finis Libri 
horarum iuxta rubricam Ecclesie Patavien. Impressi in inclita 
ciutate predicta sub Anno domini Millesimo quaaringentesimo 
octuagesimo primo, sexta die augusti. Octavo, 208 leaves. 
It is believed that this work came from the press of Conrad Stahel and 
Ben. Mayr, the first printers whose names appear as having been connected 
with the art of printing at Passau. 
1481 
LEIPSIC. 
Joannis Annu Viterbiensis Glosa sup Apocalipsim d statu 
ecclie Ab ano salutis pnti scz mcccclxxxi usq[ue] ad fine 
mudi Et de pclaro [et] glosissio triiipho xpiao[rum] i Turcos 
[et] Maumethos .... [Colophon:] Impressum Lipczk anno 
. . . . m. cccc. lxxxi. in pfesto Michaelis Explicit opus. 
Magistri. Iohannis nannis .... Quarto, 48 leaves. 
A majority of the bibliographers have fixed upon Marcus Brand, or 
Brandis, as the first printer of Leipsic and the printer of this work, while 
several others have written in favor of giving Conrad Kacheloven (or 
Kachelosen) the first place. 
1481 
MAGDEBURG. 
Psalterium Latinum Magdeburgi, Bartholomeus Ghotan, 
1481. Folio. 
None of the earlier bibliographers name Ghotan among the printers at 
Magdeburg, but attribute this book to his press while he was at Lubeck. 
Later writers, however, assign it to the former place. There is a copy at 
the Royal Library in Dresden. 
1481 14 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
TREVES. 
Speculum Clarum nobile et pciosum ipso[rum] sacerdotu in quo 
refulget et repsentantur aliqz valde vtilia speculada circa tria 
pncipalia: Baptismi Eukaristie et Penitecie sacrameta .... 
per fratre Hermann dictz de Schildis. [Colophon :] Impressu 
Treveris. Anno Dhi millesimo quadringentesimo octuagesimo 
primo. Quarto, 16 leaves. 
Of this book there is nothing known save that it (probably) exists. I do 
not know of any writer who has ventured an opinion as to the name of the 
printer. The late M. Tross, who had evidently seen a copy, believed it to 
have been printed with the characters of Guldenschaff, of Cologne. No other 
book is known to have been printed at Treves during the fifteenth century. 
1481 
URACH. 
Plenarium nach Ordnung der Episteln und Evangelien durch 
d. ganze Jahr .... Urach, 1481. Folio, 237 leaves. 
Another book was printed in this town bearing the date of 1481. 
Probably both were by Conrad Fyner, who is believed to have left Esslin- 
gen and settled at Urach in 1480. 
1481 
REUTLINGEN. 
Nicol, de Ausmo. Summa Pisani, que alias Magistratia seu 
Pisanella appellatur [Colophon:] anno dni m. cccc. lxxxij. 
Sabbato ante Ephie. In Rutlingen .... Folio, 417 leaves. 
This book was undoubtedly printed by Joannis Otmar, whose name 
appears in three others issued from a press at Reutlingen the same year. 
1482 EICHSTADT . . . 1478. 
Plate No. 5. 
rat**4«fi qnis ejr familiarib?*ibi*ei? optima 
done *c*ff*de accufatoibMibello^dbi-rea 
deferre *c** de pziuaas detic*l* t»l«¥ ad*l* 
iuT*deidulc*4*ip<J. fi publico-nbi defeat 
accufatoz.qz libell? no fuk oblat?** ar-ff* 
de farpec<cu4*n)<fpcerea.£B fallkin cafi* 
busin quib? no cogit1 aliqnis infcribere*nc 
noq^qualiter* 
d^WVis pofik accufare.* quide quicuq^ no 
l^^pbib etur.fi cut in ediAo de ^curatose 
^oe teftib?.* de matrimonies *otoeuic did* 
nt* ff.de £>cur. ldnutus*ff * de teftib? 4q«8*6 
Tpon*cu apud* iQ^zobibent2 auc quida £pt' 
Tepu^ vt muliere8*t?t'£V*q*nj*de crimme*ij* 
qq.^bibent2.!?*e44i»? B regulariter veruj 
eft.Fallit tn in cafib^admittunt2 cm in accu 
fa done fimonie4egis iulie de annona.* ma 
ieftatis.* coznelie*teftameti.berefi8.frauda 
ticen fits* fraudateannone** TuTpeAi cnmis 
ne.xo.q.nj*fane*nemini.ff.ad4*iuE*de an* 
non*l*vL^ ad4.iuf*maieRatis.inquifitioni 
bus.* de accufationib?.l*ij** inftitut'.de to 
Tpec*tu<fq** q ^jfequunt1 faa iniuria oel to 
ozum.qz rue top oms admictunt2*ff * e4q.ee 
bipi^Cq** qui appellatoe too^ otineantur 
ibide legit2.S? % £m iura can.admitdt' muli 
er in crimine fraudate annone.ij.qq^pbibe 
tur<J-muliere*^^imonieq*Oeifimo.tanta* 
ide dici poteft in epceptis alijs criminib?. 
puta dilapidatoe.ij.q* vij.quapzopter.na et 
equipatur enmini fraudate annonein quo 
mulier admittit2 vt diAum eft*<^t no*q> in 
callbus in quib? mulier admittit2 non inferi 
bit*nec in turpiHianu incldit.ff »ad turpilf* 
lq<f* accufatoe3**4*muliere.nec obGC*ad 
turpillianu.fi femina.na ibi deftitit ab accu 
fatione pa Ao cozrupca* <E5lij apter etatej 
vc pupilli -i j • qq • ^pbiben tur»IF * e* qui accufa 
re*^4*ij £*pupillus»nifi m cafib? in quibus 
admittuntur tutoze aAoze.ff *e.lq'$q.crgo 
cu pupilluspbibeat^.relinquit'q? adultus 
autozitate curacozisaccufare oaleat.ff.b au 
tozicate pftanda4*oatur.ar*ff*e*qui accu* 
fare.* de popu*aA6e4*muheri*Ode auto* 
ritate tu* claj^*^ de adulterio accufare non 
poteft etia adult? nib velit tboi£ jpziu^ vin 
dicare.ff *ad4*iuf .de adult'*fi marie? fit in 
magiftratU'?4ex4te teens in tetomonijs*qz 
in crimmalib? teftificari no poteft minoz*^ 
annis*vt'ff*de teftib?.in teftimoniu* ^I^lij 
repellunt' ^pter bonu pub lieu »ne.f4edatur 
reTpublica.ut milites qui turat fe no euitatu 
ros mozte $pter rempublica * vt.C »qui accu♦ 
no poT4*no pbibentz*%*l*fi crimen*Tie % bij 
qui magiftratu % poteftate babent pbibent* 
abu accufare durate officio *qz nec ipfi intes 
nmTme fraudeouenin pofTent*ff*ad4*iuf* 
Jncipit liber quintns deaccuTat6ib?*de* 
nundacoibus*? inquilidonibus* 
( * * P^^BTina^ bomines fapent 
> *™teU'8crcntacnou'f 
I <Pui^crcnt,ima'0^ 
■ UI •» / /Q1 vt*q? ftudio peccatoj£ 
W / \* A inquinamenta nitaret* 
I q* omes filij ade to 
mus*ideoq^%peccato- 
res fum?*In pzenariea* 
done fiqui de pzimi bo* 
minis*pmago dei in omnib? comaculata eft 
bominib?*ita etia nt recepta in nifeera ptui 
aprata humane vinida Temina *peccati cota* 
gione cabeTcant*qd in pTalmis cuiutois oze 
moztaliu deplangit dauid.gcce inquit in in 
iquitatib?dceptus tom** in peccatis ocepic 
me mater mea»St accedit*£x:vij.q«ij.ome ita 
q2**.XXXnj*q*mj*vir cu ^pzia*Hedu aut alies 
no fcelere pzemimur*£ * apda culpa * mali* 
cia*Tacra^ autozitate literate polluti efle co 
uindmur** miter generis bumani defeAus 
vidoTms multo in ramose ^pagine oilatare 
cepk*quod in radice vicio^c germinauifln 
mulcts em ait Tcripcura deliquim? omes *c* 
[Deceara vero ten maleftcia no debent rema* 
nere impunita*)j)icam9 qualiter puniant* ft 
liifufcepd ex matrim onio de quo'^pmifim? 
4d^elfic*egini? Tupza de ciuilib? aAoibus* 
nunc de criminalibus* <^elita*vifo de ac 
cutotionematrimoniahinlpecie Tupzalibzo 
jo^imo qui matrimoniu accuTare poffunt pte 
quentes*nuc de accuTatoib? plene * genera 
liter traAandu eft* lie oideam? oe accuTatio 
nib^denunciatoibus** inquifitoibus dicen 
tes* 4J&UOC modis puniatur crimenalicui? 
* quidem quinq?* d^ccuTando* ^jSrdpie 
do* ^^enunciando/XKnguirenboi<^ ine 
ozdine*t?t in notoziis*vt*pe4up bis***c*q 
liter*i)'^-penE*necotradidtillud.c*top biT 
Mam ve?^ eft q? crime trib? modis poteft op 
pent vt ibi*S? quinq? modis agit* fine quert 
tur de crimine or puniat1* nt Tupza di Au eft* 
de Hngtilis igit2 Tmgulacim % p te videam?* 
KtWeaccuTationibugxBubdca^ 
y^c videndu eft* <^uid fit accufa* 
Xtio*<^uis poflit accufare* ^Uuis 
T^yTaccufari*K^uahter p>cedat* in ac 
Acufatione*<^uis fit effeAus accu 
/fationis* 
^*^Vid fit accuTatio** quide criminis ali 
g^J^Jrcui? hois apud iudice competente in 
'''^^Tcnp clone interueniete legittime faAa dela* 
tio«onde * accufare mcbil aliud eft vp reum 
criminis alique p libellu deferre t?el facere 
ad oindiAa»vt B colligunt2q *e*top bis*C * 
qui accu.no pofibcu rationib?.**l*n6 igno OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
15 
MEMMINGEN. 
Fasciculus Temporum. [Auctore Werner Rolevinck.] [Colophon; 
v. of 63d leaf:] Impressum p me Albertu Kune de Duderstat 
Magunt?. dyoces .... aho dni Millesimo quadringentesimo 
octuagesimo secundo. [r. of 71st leaf.] Impressus Memmingen. 
Folio, 71 leaves. 
Between the years 1474 and 1500 this work passed through thirty 
different editions, thus proving that it must have been one of the most 
popular books of its time. The wood-cuts in some of the earlier editions 
make them highly prized by those interested in the early history of wood- 
engraving ; but as an authority, or work of reference, it is not considered of 
any special value. There is a copy in the collection of the author. See 
plate No. 6. 
1482 
METZ. 
Ammonicones ad spirituals uita utiles. Ca. primu de imitacoe 
xpi. [Colophon:] Impresse in citate Metensi per fratrem 
Johanne Colini . . . . et Gerhardum de noua ciuitate. Anno 
Domini Mille0. cccc0. lxxxij0. Quarto, 24 leaves. 
Another book, of the same year, paper, and characters, is cited by M. 
Tessier as having been printed at Metz; but the one described is the only 
production of the Metz press of that year which gives the name of the 
printer and place. The National Library at Paris and the Town Library 
of Metz possess copies. 
1482 
HEIDELBERG. 
Hugonis de prato Florido Sermones de sanctis. [Colophon :] 
Impress! Heydelberge Anno .... m. cccc. lxxxv. xij. Kalen- 
das februarias. Folio, 285 leaves. 
1485 16 
first books and printers 
It is not known whether Henry Knoblochzer or Freidrich Misch was the 
first printer in this town. The early authorities give precedence to the 
latter, while later writers award the first press to the former. There is a 
copy in the author's collection. See plate No. 7. 
REGENSBURG, or RATISBON. 
Liber Missalis secundum breviarium chori Ecclesiae Ratispo- 
nensis. [After the Calendar:] Hunc Librum per viros indus- 
tries Johannem Sensenschmidt et Johannem Beckenhaub dictum 
Moguntinum opifices: Jussimus et fecimus impressione decorari. 
Datum Ratispone die quinta mensis Marcii. Anno Domini 
m. cccc. octogesino quinto. Folio, 360 leaves. 
John Sensenschmidt was born at Egra, in Bohemia; he was the first 
printer at Nuremberg, 1470-1478 ; the second at Bamberg, 1481-1490; 
and in 1485, in company with Beckenhaub, printed this first book at 
Regensberg. 
1485 
MUN STER. 
Rudolphus Langius, nobilis Westphalus et Monasteriensis Ca- 
nonicus. Carmina et alia opera. [Colophon:] lohannes Lim- 
burgus. Monasterii Westphalie impressit feliciter m° cccc0 
lxxxvi0 lulii xxix. Quarto, 36 leaves. 
Johannes Limburgus is the only printer known to have had a press at 
this place during the fifteenth century. 
i486 MEMMINGEN. . .1482. 
Plate No. 6. 
IKoma infb^€t naeratilimt dues el* 7 Mcrtprt nonsgefaG trccftcna mH fa TS.milh. cOudne ucM fvnii 
Tbs dc madato jTugufh qd miftcrio n caruitqj die nafcif i made q electee luce alcribe veni icthitate. nt Die 
SOalcriue mapmuefuit toe temple yirmagnefame. 
Jmpatozee roanl p bac Jinea otinnanFq ocs ^TngufH oicu tnr^pter Hngu I arc bui9 MugufH excdlentia Juflu equtdS 
eft nt tile oib'nome tribuat qcnctis viuedi fo:ma 7 regendi noitna oftitnir.Tatita ftquide ico ^bitae ac Rrenuiraa 
cnncmrntvfr credibM^ X'eftitutanatarabnani Difcn^^ potuerit.qd pltrafx^cu benedkta 
mfe fua ride merutt qi tpfe pairiiceri* extiterit vocation gentin i?.ncc pneg P9 ^0 vocari Poluit.Xram ci 
eXtru.X!nbdiUtae.clemetic.ciniUtae.pacie^ pjfcipUne tf.q ran Rime i tata IBlimitate oueninr e^e pl ar ipefnit.^ c U u n 
nifi coact9 acccpit.Xit.n.f0agnu c oil pedin aureobamopilces cape,qz bamipditt o&io nlFa ptcapfa pilciu oparu 
Jjetrabetib*' fibi air. Jn h5a dnitatc libae Decetec liguae.Olitee ociari nequaqs ant dliciari ptnittebat q^^fefno 
iftitntaeadUbote. -- 
Ja'a.?., 
Sfih* Tberodfe. 
/eoDneredgt qc€*i 
gPPto- 
Corn-; 
spto/ 
\tl3icloco^rclr^ 
fUirubllitutueelt 
i 
V©ub tflo moiif 
' @a(ome ld:o; 
^crodie. 
•g&ocuratoiee Jndce. 
Tbicindpitfexta etas 
CbziHns nafeitur. h zooT^ 
Xinea cbiifti. 
^nnoDomini. j. 
gnoequotnomtoenq 
9Cp0 oiwex 
mariaftgine 
nardf anno 
madt. ^19 9. 
complete. 
mudi wancvrrnsd 
cumd v enit [am carminis etas 
fOagnus ab integro feculo^nalcitnr ozdo. 
3am nona progenies cdo Dimittitur alto 
3amredit g virgo.redeuntfaturnea regna 
Cu modo nafeenti puero^qno ferrea pamum 
befmet.7 toto forget gens aurea mundo 
Esfta fane ludnaXnus iam regnat apolllo 
£)epzmcipamr6ano Tic Dicit Cicero i li! oe offices 
Certu eft faille aliqd temp9 quo fineregib9 piuebaf. 
JCtpoftcg iuregentiupofteiTioncs ccperutomidi no 
alia oc ca reges iftitnti iTnift iuQkie leruade.Tnam cd 
i inicto pmereMitudo ab bqs q maiozis opes bebat 
ad vnu alique vi^ sfagiebatltutepzeftete q.pbibet 
ininriaritenuiozes eqrate oRituendofommos cum in 
fimis pari fare ptingerct. Cut# adbuc regnatibue re? 
gib9 oebiliozesnonucg oipzimercflegesoRitnipla? 
cult q ad indicandu nd odio aut gf a Ducerenf. ta? 
les inopi q les poteti pzeRaret aures Ono fit ut leges 
nfola ppp5 rsregeq^obligarcfcianf.^tfiregeoteiie 
leges.rape boa IMtoJMiolare frgiee.ftupzarema? 
tronas qccta illicitafsccpideam9 Wqdillo lumilTo 
ali9IBlimabifq7bngu5nar€7legib9nouitobtepare 
ajqcq npipni ajcuy 
^atus eft Greater tepoza w nofteribs xp9 De virgi ie pn 
ra nono ozdme rm^tetica.pmifTa.€t tec eplenitudo tern 
pzi0 De q apFs Dicitqn mifit De'ftliu luu imundu. Obix)c 
iciprtb feta etas modi cui'fincm Iblne De9 nonit. €tDicit 
Mu^.q>tec eta© dz fencct9 qfepe credit'vltr a oes peeden 
tea ctatce.qzplericB bomi piuutetia pfeg ad centum viginti 
anoe autpltra'inctu e q^rexagenanoefenes pocam*. Son. 
fatnu e velle Dcterminareqtitatc ei^.q^lurcs eni 15 attepta* 
rut q oes fuere Decepri ficut^bat wetoz fens 
€ra xpiano# pndpaUOima oiz era^nottHtma cclebriiw 
cgJpfeeSn9'J0ct3uianu4z.©limpiadi0cetcrifflcnonage 
fimet'de»€tFmi&edaWmudi.^99.3plci9,p!Udu0.£)nu 
toile Dato ad milia qneg DuceOhfcfti Dnobeda Dat ap 
tboplafto.3fe#nx0m Duo.ccmin9 pno milia qncg.etbic 
taq$'pbabilioz mod9 ab eccafnaFi e ma^ pulgat9.® ut ct 
alq DiiifimodiTupputattonu.qda buiozes nt tebzeo# qd a logiozes nt metbodg 7 alio# De qb9 Miie e laboz tracta 
re. p tilltas $o modica.&idc Gngula lods fols. Celebcrrimo cnltu lancti tree reges munera pzedofa re* 
gi edixpo nato Denotillime offerfoaua fa tbm mirra OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
17 
STUTTGART. 
Maximilianus Imp. Electio et Coronatio. [r. of 2d leaf:] In dem 
Buchlin findt man beschrieben die Fiirsten, grauen und friihen, 
die uff den tage zu frackfurt mit der Kayserlichen majestat vn 
allerdurchluchstigsten furste un heren .... [Colophon:] Also 
wasz die erwelung gescheen vff Donerstag nach Invocabit. 
Anno Dni m. cccc. lxxxvi., iar DMDMM Getruckt vnd 
volendet zu Stutgarten. Folio. 
This book is of exceeding rarity. I have never seen, heard, or read of 
a copy, and do not know if one exists. The name of the printer is 
unknown. 
i486 
INGOLSTADT. 
Paulius Lescherius. Rhetorica pro conficiendis epistolis accom- 
modata. [Colophon:] Hec rhetorica feliciter finitur .... In 
almo gimnasio jngoldstat Anno lxxxvij. Quarto, 22 leaves. 
/ 
This book was probably printed by Joannes Kachelosen, whose name first 
appears in a book printed at this place in " MCCCCIC." This combination 
of letters is construed by some writers to mean fifteen hundred less one, 
and by others to indicate 1490. In this instance I believe they were in- 
tended to express the latter year. There is a copy in the collection of the 
author. See plate No. 8. 
1487 
STENDAL. 
Sachsenspiegel. Der Sassen-Spiegel. [Colophon :] Explicit der 
Sassen-Spegel den de erwerdige in God Bader vnd derr Theo- 
doricus von Bockstorpe Visschopp tho Nuenberg feliger gecor- 
1488 18 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
reget heft. Gedruckt to Stendael dorch Joachim Westfael in 
deme cwwiij Jare. Folio, 218 leaves. 
This is the only known specimen of the Stendal press previous to the year 
1501. Westfael, its printer, seems to have been one of the first at Magde- 
burg, his name appearing in a book printed there in 1483. 
HAGEN AU. 
Joannes de Garlandia. Cornutus Magistri Joannis de Garlandria. 
[Colophon:] Exposito disticij sen Cornuthi noui necnd antiqui 
.... Impressa imperiali in oppido Hagenaw, per Heinricu 
Grau .... Sub anno salutis Millesimo. Quadringentesimo. 
Octuagesimo nono. Quarto, 64 leaves. 
Maittaire cites a work of Pelbartus of Temeswar of 1475, which might 
have been printed at Hagenau. There is no reasonable doubt, however, 
about the book of Joannes de Garlandia being the first. A copy is in the 
National Library, Paris. 
1489 
HAMBURG. 
Laudes beate Marie Virginis. [Colophon :] In mercuriali 
oppido Hamborgensi .... Impresse. Per me loanne z 
Thoma Borchard. Anno dni wccccxcj. Seda feria pP Martini. 
Folio, 154 leaves. 
Panzer, Santander, and Hain cite these two as the only printers and this 
as the only book of Hamburg during the fifteenth century. This work is so 
rare that I have never seen or read of a copy. Panzer mentions a copy in 
"Bibi. Goetting." Does he refer to the Library at Gottingen ? 
I49i HEIDELBERG. . .1485- 
Plate No. 7. 
De Bacto Simone a 3uda Setn. 
£erriofuertmt toifimip totontiam 
nioztisptenentesmozreet genera moz; 
tied pfi cni ludibria 1 mlxra qtpn infu / 
pecavinculaeccarcere^lapidatifuntde 
aifunntenutifanMn ooifione gladtf 
moztm funtp (bzitojflecmirii- radica 
tienierar^ fundatiitKaritateteq Ca. 
viq^o«i0 vi mo:© Dilectio^mo too? 
mozte.q? mozo nd fepamfi aia^ a came 
z>itooaucfepat aboi tetrenitateetcac 
nahtace^aleo erat ifh apHoli rozteo foz 
nozeo toiiTuni^aleo ixbent dTe pda 
ri qui funt apliu viri. fed raleo non funt. 
qz ai impugnanf in membzio^ too ca 
mere fue Itoio fe opting gladmm fpue 
qde vecbu sei in vagmam tedudm, iBi 
funt no koneo:fed lepufculuo^leo i oa 
Iida q in petra college cubik lim.qn eni 
©neblatuo bn eobferatoo fiqois pque 
ratWni tominuo Memarduoi cauea 
fuaeindufu04fti nofuntkoneo led foz 
micakoneodozmkako eftquodda pnu 
aial qd e fozmica leombuo a ko fozmicio 
®cipfi funt fozmice kombto fuio fupe 
rienjus • p:ra quoo non audet caputeri 
gereJed funt leoneo fosmicisa. inferiozi 
bue quoe noedfant imifericozdicer op 
primereXerriopmendaf abiuiurna co 
sinuatione wtutio cu ^r-a luuetute fua. 
^Jarxcuintoeret ano illuiuuene ce 
midane legio Widic|Bec oia toaui a 
iuuentute mea.cjr [equity intuituo di 
iefuo co etdto eu-H^c mi^.bn ei erat 
ci^nus oiketoe q f m pcepr^kgio man 
de vixerat a iuuemute.&enag-B onu e 
virocu poztauern iugu omabadokfee 
tiafuon bon? fcolario fine interruptoe 
cebecwafuaptinuarein mudicia etca 
ftiratexn ficut tefcolari cocedifqui bio 
fueric pa rifiU0.negar tn bio fueritbo. 
quia in ei9buamtate n ulla facta eft inter 
ru pt i o.if a eguio cocedaf fcolari bio fu 
erinentame-negeftn^bi© fuit lubzico 
carni0paifu0 vrm caftitateeiue nulla 
fu rntoinuauo* Quarto pmciubntus 
•iffi gloziofi apoftoh' ateknfionc fbbdtre 
pkbio et ejpugmudne cu ioflibet admit 
tattoo &dpfe fit nobio princepe mill 
tie.iHi funt panapeo fup omne terra co 
(hcon\iHi funt pzmcipee ppulo^ cu teo 
abraba pgregatufti font principeg milt 
tieexercimecbriftLqjX^^ mill 
tienollrenontaramm potentia 
teoadteftrucrione munitionum cdfdia 
XEllciietw/z omne akitudine qttoknte 
fe aduerluo fdetiam cei.ifti funt milite® 
cbafti nos Wenden tee. per anna iufhne 
a wto i a finiftri0*tj.(£oy.vp|pri et 
&armani(toe a cegrie nos tekndunt 
qn noo cocent babere modeftia in (pfpia 
r armaiutaa Mino noo tefendunt 
qn oocentnoo babere pacientia in aduer 
fish'h funtprindpea m (line cbzftii non 
folum m tdenfione fubdue pkbie. fed t 
expugnatoe cumfcuncg contrarie prac 10 
Wude in premiifa automate dr. confilia 
teftrueiitee *1 omneaitimdine extoknte 
feaduerfus toi tia txt.alntudme Ixrett 
co; tirannoru temonicru .jjn noie eni? 
cbafti etia cemonia eiecta funt. et qz 1 d t 
apoftoli fugparuu prindpatum benefe 
babuerutao fupptincipam magno pftt 
to funt-on cuilibet ipfo? pordt tnci id 
toe bone et fiddle qz 
Tuppauca fuifti fidehkfupermuka to 
toa^imraingaudiooni tuvquod no 
biocdcedatiefiiocbziftus qui viuit etre 
gnat per omnia fecula feculo? Bmem 
^ermonee perutiks te fanctiop an 
nicirculum ftatno IBugonie ce pzato 
flozido Edirne fancti ^omimci fe 
aarozis fan I tilftme fininnr Jmpzdfi 
feevddtergeRnno oomima natahe 
^ccccjff^fr kakndao febiuark 
40* OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
19 
ZIN NA. 
Hermannus Nitzschewitz. Nouum beate Marie Virgis psalterium 
.... nouit ad tci oterito^ ofectii .... actum . . . anno 
1489 . . . et Anno Nonagesimoseciido in mense Septebri ad 
Illustrissimas cesarias regiasq[ue] manV pncialit presentatn .... 
Nunc et in Tzenna Cisterciensi ordis deuoto claustro .... im- 
pressum. Quarto, 116 leaves. 
It is believed that this work was issued from a press at the monastery 
of Zinna in 1492. It is quite certain that no other book was printed there 
during the fifteenth century. The name of the printer is unknown. 
1492 
LUNEBURG. 
Thokle A Kempis. De Imitatione Christi et de contemtu omniun 
vanitatum mundi .... [Colophon:] Luneborch impressus 
per me lohannem Luce. Anno dni. m. cccc. xciii. xxii. die 
mensis maij. Finit feliciter. Folio. 
This is the only book known to have been printed at Luneburg in the 
fifteenth century, and all the information we have about its printer is con- 
tained in this Colophon. 
1493 
FRIBOURG. 
Spiegel der Waren Rhetoric .... mit jrn glidern cluger 
reden etc. [Colophon :] Friburg in Brisgau, durch Fridrichen 
Riedrer Versamelt, gedruckt un Volendet 1493. Folio. 
U93 20 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
The earlier writers mention an edition of " S. Bonavanturae in iv libros 
sententiarum" as being the first book printed at Fribourg, and name 
Kilianus Piscator as the printer. One of the most learned and careful of 
the later bibliographers pronounces the Spiegel the first, and says it is 
dated the "Wednesday before St. Luke's day, 1493," which was October 
18 of that year. There is no doubt about its being the first in which the 
name of the printer and date appear together. 
OPPENHEIM. 
Wigandi Wirt Dyalogus apologeticus adversus Trithemium de 
Conceptione Virginis Mariae Oppenhemii, 1494. 
Quarto. 
Several other books were printed at Oppenheim during the fifteenth 
century, but none of them discloses the name of the printer. 
1494 
FREISINGEN. 
Compendiosa materia pro iuuenum informatione satis magis- 
traliter compilata. Cuius titulus es tu scolaris. [Colophon:] 
Impressum Freisingen per Johannem Schoeffler Anno domini 
m. cccc. xcv. Sexto Kalendas Julii. Quarto. 
Deschamps describes a Missale Frisingense printed by John Sensen- 
schmidt of Bamburg in 1487, which he would have his readers infer was 
printed at Freisingen, but cites no evidence to sustain such an inference. 
Schoeffler, whose name appears in the Colophon of the Compendiosa materia, 
had a press at Ulm in 1493, 1497, 1498, and 1499 ; and in 1495 printed this 
one book at Freisingen, it being the only one known to have been issued 
from a press in that town during the fifteenth century. 
1495 INGOLSTADT . . . 1487. 
Plate No. 8. 
ceoit 'Rogauitq? me vt oi ftuoio cura oiligertaqj curare ne bnficiu fan 
cti tbome amitteret qd ppemoou cofecutus eflet £go vero cu te apud 
capitulu auctozitJte plurimti valeremeinifle miKuqj pl? poife fare (la 
tin abfte peteze Ut fi qo vnqud grata mibi te factus erifties boc illd ar 
bitreris 'l\ogo eni vt iobane ab emulis fuis obtrectatoiibufq? defeoas 
qui bufitiu pfatu azzipere teptant Doc mibi i matiop omulo benefitiop 
collocabo £zit eni mibi mario bonozi familiaze meu opa mea boc bene 
fititi optinnifle Tlullu eni vcufqj bufitin babuit *0zofiteorq5 me tibi p 
petuo obnoriu et in mortal! benefitio foze Si qiiio etia in me meritoru 
interdii contuliftMtuoui ea qde tibi fummo ftuoio p viribue comolata 
refti mere Hota pulcberrimd tbe 
oricd q? fupiop e iferio 
res noiare ppz i i f noth'? 
jn eriozesaiitfupiozes 
nominarea Dignitatoa 
merito et nd ppiije no 
minib? bic e exemplum 
£ole ndqj-Seo eremp 
lum vbi iferior noiatfu 
pioze a ognitate eft refp 
onfio £oli ao oioone 
refponoj jSolus bee cd 
tra tuns D regina quid 
optes ^rplotarelaboz 
mibj iufla capefcere fas eft Tlotadu m cu qui0 wit duo petere quoin 
vmi e mains aliO'petat maioza pus et minora pofterP q? fi maiora con 
fequi nd valeat q> tn minora no oenegentur ^remplii e apuo tberentin 
Tlotandu q? nd in oi pen*tide opus e vt oes ifti loci cocurrat feo petens 
comiderabit magoituoine fine qualitate facti vt fi fit magnii quoopetat 
merito ocs ocurrar Sin aut fit res pua minozcs loci cocurrdt Seo qz 
in eplis omeDaticiis veniunt ifti qui nobis cart funt apuo amicos mos 
edmittutur 3ut qui aliquo amozis et necefTituoinis vinculo nobis coin 
cti flit notis amicis necefTariis vel aflinibus omeoamur iftuo luce clari 
us tibi p eplaj jacobi publi ci; oftedd Xn callioe aDuertenon e vt p bi; i 
fcribere er eos comedare litter is nris viDeamtinqiu beniuoletia obfina 
tia amore aMnitate tribu ^tute vicitateq5 nobis cbazi ee debet Un tbe 
rentius £ tia comeoia Dine etia beniuolen ti a btj's el icere verbis conatur 
Xu vel ^tus tua me vel vicinitas qua ego in ppinqua pte amicitie puto 
facit vt teauoactermonedetfamiliarif Uel ecouerfo iociioa oratione 
tia integritate igeni; er verbop comitate penes amicos nzoe comiflbf 
oamete clariflimi poete 
£ole naqj tibi oinum pater atq? bominii ret 
£t mukere oeoir fluctus et tollere Pentus 
Sens inimica mibi tirenu nauigat equor 
^liu in nalia poztans vktofqj penates 
^nente vim ventie fob merfae obzue pnppes 
t age oiuerfae et oifcice cozpoza ponto 
Gur mibi bis fepte pftanti cozpoze nimpbe 
Ona 2 qiie eft fozma pulcberrima tbeopeia 
Connubio iugam ftabili ppziaq? okabo 
0 mnie vt teen mezitis pro talibus annos 
£dga t» et pwkbza fatiet te pzole parentem 
fufitdetiflime p oiuezfoe poetae ac ozatozes Zeruus tractate e 5 £lega 
tns»X0'Z'0aliop qnoqj poetsp qm p oia ao oznote loqueou etfezibe 
Du made .pfidub 0eto quoqj obnijre q> ft aliqua lint min* bene pofita i 
oulgezi de bii vezo dictis ne buittd opufculi laboze vilipenoae ego quip 
pe vigilant vt tn oozmiae ego labozaui vt tu qefcas tuns folue laboz ezit 
vt per legeoo itelligetia repleazie et fdentta pzeoitue eboibus darns at 
qj eloquetiffim* babeazie Sin vezo quoo magis pfumo tabido cozde % 
nebulofa fade quesomoon pauiue et menins et foelue Virgilio optimo 
poetap oetzajrezut vt met ateftatur i pakmone teztia egloga fnop bueco 
licop vbt oidt Cui peuiu non ooit amat tua cazmina meui fi qnoq; bi/s 
flofculie et gemis oznate comptis Huidu oente i pzimis ac ligua i joze de 
tzarezis tibi refpooeo dictii mszdahs i difticis Tlafnt9 fis fis deiq? naf* 
^irnidia quide te vt .ppziu fernii caligim ignozatie innoUiit XDe ante be 
niuoletia per lumen ad gloziam peroucet habeas 
1?ec retbozica feliciter finitur oiligetifli 
me copofita % cozzecta e a magiftzo pan 
to lefeber et jdeo retborica lefeberij nun 
ctipetur ^n almo gimnafio jngolotftat 
^nno>XjcjrKVif 
ZtDue 
Tlota 
J&o dues 
^Tlem 
*0zimuvacat 
^cceoite 
^Ibfentibus 
iur 
'Regifta 
/0ignoza 
0ui non 
*01118 
^ngoloftat 
/£tu 
Superiors 
'Romanop 
U>te OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
21 
FREYBERG. 
(In Saxony.) 
Missale Eclesie Misniensis. [Colophon:] .... Opus iuxto 
rubricum iam dictae suae Misnensis dicecesis diligenti opera 
castigatum atque distinctum per industrium Conradum Kache- 
losen, huis impresso sic artis Magistrum, oppidique Lipsensis 
concivem in oppido eodem inchoari, atque grassante pertifero 
morbo in oppido Frieberg perfici et feliciter finiri procuravit die 
lunae m, Nov. nono. mcccc.lxxxxv. 
Kachelosen (or Kacheloven) was probably driven from Leipsic by the pest 
to Freyberg, where he remained long enough to print this one work, which 
is the only one known to have been issued from a press in that town during 
the fifteenth century. In 1496 we find him again at work in Leipsic. This 
Missale is a very great rarity, and I do not know where a copy can be 
found. 
1495 
OFFENBURG. 
Quadragesimale Roberti de Licio De peccatis cu aliquibP 
sermoibus annexis. [Colophon :] Impressu in Offenburg Anno 
dhi. 1496. Ipsa vigilia epyphanie. Quarto, 202 leaves. 
The only book known to have been printed at this place before the year 
1501. The name of the printer is not known. There is a copy in the 
collection of the author. See plate No. 9. 
1496 
MUNICH. 
Quadragesimale diui concionatoris Pauli Wan Doctoris sacre 
theologie [Colophon :] impressum per lohannem Schopsser, in 
Monachi. [Circa 1497.] Quarto, 105 leaves. 
1497 22 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
The weight of authority seems to be in favor of the belief that Schopsser 
worked at Augsburg until 1497, and in that year went to Munich and set 
up a press there. Panzer, however, does not name him among the printers 
of the former city. This book, which bears his name, is probably the 
only one printed with movable metal types, at Munich, before the end of the 
fifteenth century. A copy is in the collection of the author. See plate 
No. 10. 
TUBINGEN. 
Lectura fratris pauli scriptoris ordinis minorii de obseruatia 
qua edidit declarado subtilissimas doctoris subtilis sententias 
circa Magistrum in primo libro. [Colophon :] Explicit exactas 
expositio .... ordinaria lectura ordinarie facta in ouentu 
fratrum mino[rum] in alma vniuersitate Tuwingii. Vbi et 
impressa est huius per artis gnaru Magistrii lohanne Ottmar. 
Anno salut? m. cccc. xcviij. xxiiij. die Martij. Folio, 198 leaves. 
At Reutlingen, also, Ottmar or Othmar was the first printer. 
1498 
OLMUTZ. 
Augustinus Moravus. Tractatus contra heresim Valdensium 
Augustini de Olomucz ad loannem Aygrum Physicum Sec- 
tarium. [Colophon :] Impressum in regali Ciuitate Olumucensi 
per me Conradum Bomgathen anno Domini m. quingentesimo. 
xxix. die mensis octobris. Quarto. 
This is believed to be the only book printed at Olmutz during the 
fifteenth century. Conrad Bomgarten, or Baumgarten, is not known to 
have had a press elsewhere. 
1500 OFFENBERG. . .1496. 
Plate No. 9. 
t linftigatSne* ^nfttgatbisbo^ftentat 
& boc vicio t papuebu nimie de: i vid? 
boles tdiros *vt em mdt tato*|Ham 
biuturna des vicq s alimaa miftrst • vn 
interao hbro^eg*kgif *q> Palomo biu 
ftfuauretcpli'zedifiao^ iscrauiti fta/ 
tu grarie fait* cu fe ixdit d eti fedua9 
a mherib9 lururie vacua .templu idolis 
fabricauit *j^ifr jbauid vt bf-^^^5 
ti*i*ru*c*at remaufit inbicrlm in quit 
te comifitadultenucuberfabcc* to bic/ 
ro*ad rufticu monuebu airjn teftderqf 
eftomisodofus'tgyptio^monaftcria 
but mozetenentvr nulls abfq5 tabozc 1 
ope fufcipidrno ta .jpteiwe nccelTaria 
q? 4p ter ale folutc* nc vagef mens pnici 
ofis cogitatoib9*! inftar foznicat) bieru 
falcomitrafcuntibmaricctpedcsfuos* 
^tbtus fracifc9!!! rcgula frstzsmino/ 
ru biofrutres i'll db9 grana teditbns 
labozddi labour fideliter7 <xuotc*ifa % 
ctclufo octo ale mimico fete ozois? be/ 
uotois fpm no ectingudt<tll?iero*be 
c6*bi*v*c*llunq5*f acito aliddopis vt 
fp Oiabol9 re inucniatoccupam *lt ejt; 
trs te rcnmcWifi eu^dem* >fle^oao 
fitasivoluprssfuntarma boftj antid 
ad miferas capicdas aias*fct fobanes 
caftian9i coll a totb9 patg* Jlpb egyptu 
abantids patrib9facraeft fnia ogantej 
mosebu vno txmoe pulfan*ociofu vero 
innumeris fpiritib9CEuaftari.fct I5 odo 
fitas filia fit accidie tn biabol9oaofum 
tn stadia cofirmst *z infti^Jt vt a9 tedtu 
ad omc op9bonuaugcaf *|Lcgif m vitif 
pat£ cu brus antboni9 tetatoe accidie 
Vcraref cepit damare adbnm bicens* 
bnc volofalu9 fieri fed nogmittut me 
cogiratoca mce*fctfbito vidtt iuuenem 
pulcerrimudangel9cratponcte fcod fe 
dendu etsd labozadum fpozras -tide ad 
modicu furgcrc ad ozsndu* £t ites port 
pazz reponcrc fc ad opandii t poftca fur 
gcntcad oiandu'tu^ plurks slterna / 
XCV1 
tis victb9 ad vtru$ fe p o fuiftet kmum- 
Sitit angel9-fic fat t faluus cris* 
<&bomo potfugereacadisgozoern 
wditsiSonc at freqntsroej faaameti* 
-/I tapitulu terciu 
| t 1 <raumyftcriu$:clarandu» 
/ accidiabiaf rcmedtatjo*ttlj 
multa fint 5 stadia t emedia* tn p nunc 
fufliatponcretna 
^^rimu eft teuots ozstto 
^ffjetundubiligens meditatia 
qVjLcrdu fatramento^ frequentano* 
<^nmu remediu eft teuotaozo*!? tool 
it thrift9 bifdpulos tozmictef p tf iftiaa 
vt& 7fl?afrrKvj*t* ffiiatlste t ozatc ne 
intretis in tetatioej-qft biccret ozo vos 
i a uabit nc futaibst^ tentatoi accidie q fb 
intrat mentes vras'ldc ctiaait toques 
te tnbularoib9 in fine mudi'C-stenc ft 
at fuga vra bieme vffabboto •ffianu; 
mj^jpiems efrigids z i fabboro c od 
um t redes* vult ergo biterc'owte nefu 
gtans id c op9bonu tefcrat J er stadia q 
pucniterfngtdttareoitiini amozis -to; 
do feu detc coigalvlDultu cm valj no 
folu 5 accidid fed 5 qcuqj pets ct quaf 
libj rctatoncs fidclis builtfqj o:o * jdco 
I?iero.ad euftotbiu ait* llec cib9 ante 
fumaf nifi ozoepmifta*nec reccdaf a me 
fa nifi gtie rcfcraf treatozi* <locnb9bis 
terq? rurgendurcuoluendute fcripturif 
qd mcozistcncam9* xgredictes bofptri 
umarmetozo*reddinb9be plates occur 
rat oroante^ fcftionecf>urcozpufcul^ 
redefestq? sis pafcaf*becillc* <^ccun 
du remediukontra accidiacft biligcns 
meditstio prccipue vitc et paftiois cbri 
fti'ilnde^jjcj^fia^Xa^paulus ait* 
^ecogitste cuquitakm fuftinuit ad/ 
uerfus femetipm ,9tradictocm*f*cbrtftii 
vr no futigemi animis vris aficicntes* 
ft5P tedio||?oc faciebat tcuot9 pern* 
d bidt*J>.uMiu vitero mcoz ero labo/ 
rum quos ebriftus fuftinuit in pdieddo 
rat ^kc tm apoftoto b« foititudo fug 
twlitcr tribute dhpuinimo -i fanctisvt 
tables mnuma! cofclTonbus virgtbus 
i marrynbus Cuis nd feat tcmpozaliu 
bono£ cotemptozcs cos qui ypm nudu5 
nudt fcaitifuntnififpimanctus Cuis 
babirare fecit i folirudinc i fpelund ami 
cos tei vigilantes owntes i cornc bunf 
fimis'iciunii s bifciplmis.i verbenbus 
£jffligentes*nifi fpusfanaus'Cuis be/ 
nieg feetr martyrcs ammo imrcpido rot 
tllota torments eyquifitiftima cruciaru 
um genera perpeh nifi fpusfanct9* Gbi 
admirsri plurimuj fimul t in fide pfoli/ 
daritrbemusbumfupditra omiai feyu 
fragile mulicru inuemri con fpidm* O 
Vere ftupenda virtus fpuftancri que tot 
bomicsiupzabomiesckuauit 0 gra/ 
ria bei elecris cbpiofidimcbifpenfara q 
terrenos bomics ccleftcs effccit 0 fons 
'mdefiaensbomtad bti ad qucciictt mo: 
rales confugcrefccuri tebent • quoniam 
yt inquit £#unus in epiftola ad tuna/ 
CXCVI 
tum^ofluens (arbiter fpus Hits 
mbusprcmif *ncc vllis cofccrccntibus 
clauftn ifta certs mctaru fpaaa rcfrcna' 
rurWahstiugttcperuberat sfflucntcr 
•^loftru tin pectus fitiati pateat* Cuu 
tu illuc fuki capacj affenm9 • tatumde 
franc inundsntis baunmus 
£u pplici cozde if if poftukmus v t pi/ 
tfrimutttusfpufsnaofuorepkatcor'* 
dsnoftrs Cui fitbcncdiausinfcdafc 
culorum^imcn* 
finis 
<txplidtquodragel 'i male & peccatf ce 
ptum in cluitatc^uObiq? compictuj 
ad laudc if ham omipotcntis &i t yg V* 
msfhofe /Cancac bcanflimi pan is 
frsnctfci 'inoin fatten Ibonaucnture 
JKmavfintm eft anno bni mtlkfimoq 
drmgenrcfimooctuagcfimoteniobic-iy 
mcniis octobzis bozu vcfpcrnna £t tin 
pzcfTw mCffcnburg j^nno Onia 
ipfa Vigilia epypbamc* OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
23 
PFORZHEIM (PHORCA). 
Johannes Altenstaig. Vocabularius. [Colophon:] Phorce im- 1500 
pressit Thomas Anselmus Badensis. m.d. Quarto. 
This is the only book printed at Pforzheim during the fifteenth century, 
and by a printer whose history, beyond his connection with that place, is 
unknown. MUNICH . . . 1497. 
Plate No. 10. 
T^zimo ergo byuboluf 
in vi vmaginariua impnmir 
Diucrtas rcrum ymagmes in 
quae fc ipfc Dyabolus trunf 
fonnat ficut in fpcculo impn' 
Jtuncur ymagmes rcrum zc 
'wnbe &ugm in libio dc oi/ 
umationib^ ocmonum. ^>c 
moiics inquit terreno^ ema 
tojibus malcficia fuaoet mi/ 
ris zin vifibihb9 moots pcr 
fubtilitatem fuam bominum 
co2po:a non fcconoo feo pc 
netnmoo z fc cogitutionib? 
co^ per queoam imaginary 
immifccnoofiuc vigthneius 
fmeoomncncium 36 
XuoificatautDcmon boics 
tnplicttcr rm vim ymagina/ 
tiua> vcl fantaflics. H^iimo 
vt vioeuntur bommibus res 
cxtcno2cs in alia^ rcru fpc/ 
cics tranhnutarc vcl ipfl bo 
mines viocantur ftbupfts in 
flliam rpccicm tranfmutari. 
0icutquioam mcontatoics 
ocmonum artiftcio 0ciunt z 
XemptatoinVi 
ymsginatma fir 
criphcifer. 
gtmtd stjumbtrim' 
JmpiimenOo in vi ymaginatma Diner/ 
fas rcrum ymagmes ficut in fpeculo 
iuotficanoo tn Diuerfas rc^ fpes tranf 
mutabo z interim fc imagmatbi pntaoo 
luoificaoo i fan tafia p ymagi.fommo^ 
nigromamici p aDiuratiocs 
ocmonum. ^uoc oicitur 
q> quioam mcantatoz <ic ao/ 
mrabat oiccne ipfi impa/ 
mebant in fantafia bommuj 
q? viocbatur cis quomo vu^ 
gall^ qui filo trabebst feflu/ 
cam trabcrct maximum tra/ 
bemeurn magnis fanib^ <^c 
cum incantaroz mooicam It/ 
gaturam fem oimoerct i plu 
res perticulas viOcbacafpt/ 
cicmibs cy oimoerct equum 
fan pcr fruftra z cum cis mit 
tcrct Dicta fluflra per bofpi 
cis cis rcccptis poflea recc/ 
Dente tlluftoncmbil inuenie 
bantmfi mooicas ligumras 
fem ^uoiftcabatautejfic 
boics in fanrafta co^ impn^ 
mens ymaginc auie vd altc 
ruis nia he vt bo vioerct fibi 
clfc illuo animal qo impflic. 
^cc Dineen an (pc.mo.vbt 
5: Jtcm m vitafpa trii Xc 
gituromacbanoegipcio q> 
cum quioa bomo aoamaret 
* 0 
Collect! fimr Sermon 
nee tfti per 'jjbsulum ivaim 
arnum s facrc pagine in di/ 
gnum ^fcltojcm.anno do/ 
mini 4fe>illefimoquaD:inge 
tcpmofexagcflmoocrauo.e 
fmin £nno ^cxagerimono 
no^unc ^atauic pieoice/ 
tozem od populngaoucn/ 
rum r cempus tequens pw 
nuncistLj0zet ptus leap: z 
SUDilOibof^co. 
Cterslijs'DoetOnbus abbe 
bo legentibus a auDtcmib9 
CD pzofactum vt bi c a pccca 
rif purgati fine cuftooiti pcr 
graham.ego cum iflis mere 
ar aDipifd victohc palmam 
qua^obis conceoere oigne 
cur Dommue hofkr idus cri 
Hus in fccula bcncDiccus* 
Smcn. 
per Jo 
tonnem £>cbopflcr 
Jn^>dnacbu ITALY. 
SUBIACO. 
Cicero de Oratore, libri III. Quarto, s. l. s. a. 
After the capture and sacking of Mentz, in 1462, by Adolphus of Nassau, 
two German printers, Conrad Sweynheim and Arnold Pannartz, supposed 
to have been workmen of Gutenberg and Schoeffer, found their way to Italy. 
In 1465 we find them established at a Benedictine monastery in the little 
village of Subiaco, thirteen miles from Rome. In a list of their books, which 
formed a part of an appeal sent by them to Pope Sextus IV. in 1472, they 
mention four books printed by them before they left Subiaco for Rome. 
Their first they call " Donatus pro Puerulis," of which no copy is known; 
the second, an edition of one of the works of Lactantius, which for more 
than four hundred years has been considered the first book printed in Italy; 
and the third, an edition of Cicero de Oratore, libri III., which turns out to be 
the first of their known productions instead of the second. Signor Carlo 
1465 26 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
Fumagalli, of Leghorn, has discovered a copy of this work of Cicero, which 
contains a well authenticated inscription, dated " pridie Kal, Octobres 
1465." The Lactantius was finished the 29th of that month. The Althorp 
collection has a copy of this scarce book, and another is in the National 
Library at Paris. See plate No. 11. 
ROME. 
M. Tvllii Ciceronis Epistolarum ad Familiares Libri XVI. 
[Colophon :] 
Hoc Conraduf opuf suueynheym ordine miro 
Arnoldusque simul pannartf una aede colendi 
Gente theotonica: romae expediere fodalef 
In domo petri de Maximo, m. cccc. lxvil 
Quarto, 246 leaves. 
In 1467 we find these printers installed in the house of Prince Massimo, 
at Rome, under whose patronage and protection they worked until Sep- 
tember, 1472. The last book bearing their joint names was issued in 
December, 1473. They probably separated then,- Pannartz continuing 
to print books at Rome, while Sweynheim engaged himself in engraving 
maps upon metal for an edition of the Geography of Ptolemy (printed in 
1478), and died in 1477 before he had completed them. A copy is in the 
National Library at Paris. 
1467 
VENICE. 
M. Tullii Ciceronis. Epistolae ad Familiares. [Colophon :] 
Primus in Adriaca formis impressit aenis 
Urbe libros Spira genitus de stirpe lohannes. 
In reliquis sit quanta, vides, spes, lector, habenda 
Quom labor hie primus calami superauerit artem. 
mcccc.lxvi.iii. Folio, 125 leaves. 
John de Spire, presumably of Spire on the Rhine, was the first printer 
at Venice. He only completed three works, and died while engaged upon 
1469 SUBIACO . . . 1465- 
Plate No. 11. 
Tao 1" 
o 
."Tbdl - Ciceronif ilUcflYi/Tlyru eh^ncn^de 
m Txcf libxof de omdvve 
lf_"luiru/rrm e Co»vhxUF p ro lo^C 
jl M1HJ SEPFNVME- 
H mF S W Bl ro mcmor^uetera repetenti perbea- 
Q 81^ S|^| 3 > fttvffc*Q< (rater ilK uidcrifoknt quifn 
X 51 Si 1T optima. RE.PV: quom ^bonoribus 
5 > re^gefbard gloriaflorerent eu aitj curz 
J fam tenere potuerut: ut uel i negoti o fine 
? 5 periodo: uel m ocio cudigniCate dTepoflent: At nunc qu< d^ 
I 
Corre^lu^ enu-n 4a-tuf jxrr 
A-TvtJervhme C or^ne ewht 
^yve me^ ^r«Ur« Tvbu^Ano 
0 (fabvo/'. < \A- • C" O C* c 1 y >; . OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
27 
the fourth,- De Civitate Dei,- in 1470. In the Colophon of this last 
mentioned work the names of the two brothers, John and Vindelin, appear 
together for the only time. 
Several writers have asserted that Nicholas Jensen, a native of France, 
and a workman of great skill, was the first printer at Venice. M. Paul 
Lacroix ["Bibliophile Jacob"], the very learned Curator of the Library of 
the Arsenal at Paris, as late as 1878 printed an unqualified statement to 
that effect. I am at loss to know from what source this information is 
obtained. I have never seen or heard of any book of Jensen's printed before 
the year 1470. Previous to the year 1501, Venice had recorded more than 
two hundred printers and about three thousand editions of books. There 
is a copy of the work described in the collection of Colonel Brayton Ives, 
of New-York, and another at the National Library, Paris. See plate No. 12. 
FOLIGNO. 
Leonardi Aretini de bello Italico adversus Gothos. [Colophon :] 
Hunc libellum Emilianus de Orfinis Eulginas et Johannes 
Numeister theutunicus, eiusq[ue] sotii impresserunt Fulginei in 
domo eiusde Emiliani anno domini Millesimoquadringetesi- 
moseptuagesimo feliciter. Folio, 71 leaves. 
Numeister is believed to have learned his art with Gutenberg. There 
are some grounds for a belief that he may have been one of the first printers 
at Perugia, and M. Claudin makes it appear that he printed the first book 
at Albi, in Languedoc, and afterward finished his career as a printer at 
Lyons. Copies are at Althorp, National Library, Paris, and in the collec- 
tion of the author. See plate No. 13. 
1470 
TREVI. 
Historia quomodo beatus Franciscas petivit a Christo indul- 
gentiam pro ecclesia sanctae Mariae de Angelis In 
Trevia (per Joannem Renardi), 1470. Folio. 
1470 28 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
John Reynard, a German, was the only printer at Trevi during the fif- 
teenth century. He issued from his press only two books; the second 
bears his name. 
FERRARA. 
M. Valerii Martialis Epigrammata. [Colophon:] Hie termi- 
natur totii opus Martialis Valerii .... Impressum Ferrarie 
die secuda lulii. Anno Domini, m. lxxi. Quarto, 192 leaves. 
This exceedingly rare and valuable specimen of early printing is supposed 
to have come from the press of Andreas Belfortis Gallus, the first printer 
at Ferrara. He used the same types afterward, in a book bearing his name 
and printed the same year. 
I47i 
MILAN. 
Pompeius Festus de verborum significatione liber. [Colophon :] 
Finis .... Festi Pompeii liber expletus est Mediolani 
Tertio Nonas Augustas. Millesimo: Quadringentessimo: 
Septuagesimo Primo Ad: Honorem .... Galeaz Mariae 
Mediolani Ducis Quinti. Ac Ducatus Sui Anno Quinto. 
Quarto, 80 leaves. 
Several bibliographers have admitted the claim of Lavagna, that he was 
the first printer at Milan, and seem to have accepted his own assertion 
about himself, without the usual grain of salt. This is his statement, made in a 
colophon two years after the first dated book by Zarotus : " Mediolani die XII. 
Februarii 1473 per Magistrum Filippum Lavagnia huisartis Stampandi in hac 
urbe primum latorem atque inventorum." It does not appear in any other 
account that he was a printer, and so far as we know he hired printers, and 
Zarotus, of Parma, was probably his first, and this edition of Festus the 
first Milan book with a certain date. Copies are at Althorp, the National 
Library, Paris, and in the author's collection. See plate No. 14. 
i47i VENICE . . . 1469- 
Plate No. 12. 
.TtiUq Currents epiftolartim /amiharuim liber' primus mcipi 
A J lentulum pnwnfulan - M. T- C Lennilo procrm full S l5 
G° ornn* °ffic'° ac potius pietatcerga te cptcris Gtif&cio 
omnibus :mibi ipfc nunq fatif&cd. xanta eni magnitudo 
eft tuo¥ erga me merito^:ut cu tu nifi pfeSla re de me nd 
Kt ■ conquiefti :ego quia non idem in caufa tua efficio: uitam 
miti ee acerbam pute. In caufa bpc fut.Hamomus Regis 
Legatus apte pecuia nos oppugnat. Res agitpeofdecredr 
to res per quos cum tu aderas agebatur. Regis caufa fi qui 
Tunt q uelit q pauci funt omnes rem ad Pompeium defern uolunt.Senatus 
rchgionis caluniam non religione fed maliuolentia Sc illius regie largitiois 
iuidia comprobat Pompciu Sc bortari Sc orare Sc 1am libenus accufare SC mo' 
nere ut magnam ifamiam fugiat nd dcfiftimus.Scd plane nec prccibus nris 
necadmoitionibus nris reliqt locu.Namcu m fcrmoncquotidiano turn in 
fenatu palam fic cgit caufam tuam :ut neq; cloquetia maiore quifq neq; grauf 
tate neq; ftudio nec contcntione agere potuerit Cu fuma teftificatione tuoi,c 
in fe officio^ SC am oris erga te fui. Marcellinu tibi effe iratu feis. Is bac regis 
caufa excepta ceteris in rebus fe acernmu tui defenforem fore oftendit. Quod 
dat accipimus.Quod mftituit referre de religioc SC fppe iam rcttulit ab eo d z 
duci nd pot. Res ante idusadta ficcft.Na bpc idibus mane fcripfi.Hortcnfii 
S< mca et luculi fentcntia ccdit rehgiom de cxcercitu. 
- - Cicau Tiwm S - D . 
jy4Infic£ mibi uerbcrationcceffationis epiflola dedifli.Nam qti£ parciuf 
fratcr perfenpferat ucrccundia uidelicet SC properationexa tu fine aflenfioe 
ut crant ad me fcripfiftrSC maxie de confulibus defignatis:quos ego pcitus 
noui libidinum Sc languoris eflpminatissimi animi plcnos: qui nifiagu / 
bernaculis rcccffcrint: maximum ab uniuerfo naufragio pcriculueft.Incre' 
dibilceftqu£ ego illos fcio oppofitis gallorum caftris inpftiuis fcciflc:quos 
illc latro nift aliquid firmius fuerit: focietatc uitiorum dclmict. Res eftaut 
tnbunitiis: aut pnuatis confilus munienda. Nam ifti duo uix funt digni: 
qiubus altcri cefanam:alteri cofTutianarum tabernarum fundamenta credas. 
Te ut dixi fero oculis. Ego uos ad.iiri.kalen.uidcbo: tuosq?oculos etiam fi 
te ueniens in medio foro uidero:diffuauiabor.Meama.Vale. 
Primus in Adriaca formis imprefTitaenis 
Vrbe Libros Spira genitus de flirpc lobannes 
In reliquis fit quanta uides fpcs Icdtor babcnda 
Quoin Labor bic primus calami fupcraucrit artcm 
M. CCCC. LXVII1I. OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
29 
BOLOGNA. 
Publius Ovidius Naso. Poemata et ejusdem uita .... [After 
the Dedication and the Life :] Huius opera .... Balthesar 
Azoguidus ciuis bononiensis .... primus in sua ciuitate artis 
impressorie iuentor .... impressit. m. cccc. lxxi. Folio, 
447 leaves. 
There is in existence a Cosmographia Ptolemcei, printed at Bologna by 
Dominic de Lapis, bearing the false date of 1462, which ought to be 1482. 
The Ovid described is, without doubt, the first book of Bologna. A copy is 
in the National Library, Paris, and another at Althorp. 
1471 
NAPLES. 
Bartholus de Saxoferrato. Lectura super I. et II. parte 
Codicis. [Colophon:] Explicit lectura super Codice .... 
Anno m. cccc. lxxi Sixtus Riessinger. Eius- 
dem Lectura in tres reliquos libros codicis X. XI. et XII. 
[Colophon:] Et sic est finis huius lecture .... Sixtus 
Riessinger. Folio. 
Riessinger was a priest as well as a printer, and in several instances 
annotated the books which came from his press. A copy is in the 
National Library, Paris. 
1471 
PAVIA. 
Antonii de Bvrgos liber super Decretalium III, de emptione et 
uenditione .... Papiae, m. cccc. lxxi. Quarto. 
Another book, "Joh. Mat. de Ferraris de Gradi Practice (Medica) 
Papie m. cccclxxi., die ix. Octobris," is also without the name of the 
i47i 30 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
printer. The name of Antonius de Carcano, the first known printer at 
Pavia, appears in a colophon for the first time in 1476. The work described 
is believed to have been issued by him. 
SAVIGLIANO. 
Guidonis de Monte Rotherii Manipuli curatorum liber utilissi- 
mus. [Colophon:] Per Christophorum Beyamum et Johannem 
Glim. [1471.] Folio, 137 leaves. 
It is asserted that John Glim, or Glein, a young German, who learned 
his art of Sweynheim and Pannartz, left Rome and went to Savigliano in 
1470 or 1471, and there, under the patronage of Chirs. Beggiamo, printed 
three or four books. As they are all without dates, it is not known which 
was the first. A copy is at the National Library, Paris. 
i47i 
TREVISO. 
Beati Augustini de salute sive de aspiratione anime ad Devm 
liber. [Colophon:] 
Hie Taruisina nam primus coepit in urbe 
Artifici raros aere notare libros. 
.... :: Tarvisii :: m :: cccc :: lxxi :: Quarto, 20 leaves. 
Gerard de Lisa, of Flanders, printed at Treviso from 1471 to 1498. We 
find the name of Gerardus de Flandria at Venice, 1477, 1478; at Civitas, 
Austria (Friuli), 1480; and at Udine in 1485. Doubtless, these two names 
represent one person. A copy is at the National Library, Paris. 
1471 
FLORENCE. 
Servii Honorati Mauri grammatica explanatio in Bucolica, 
Georgica et yEneidem Maronis. [At end of the Bucolics:] 
1471 
1742 FOLIGNO . . . 1470. 
apparitores uocau-hmbunde arepto pugione^qui fibi 
ad coxa pendebat i BelifariG ruif.euq? paulo infra flo. 
macbGpcuffit-Quodnifi circGflates fubitoaccurnffent, 
acinextorto pugione, ipfum 1 manibus appantoaf tra, 
didiffentifuppma dies illa-Belifario fuifTet.eiufg inte. 
ritus cunfta firnul fecu in ruina traxifle^Gotbig eode 
die rew domini efficiebant 'Sed non permifit dei bent 
gnitas tata mala cotingere- Coftnatinus paulopofliu/ 
bente Belirarioiterficit Necmultopoflea-Gotbi furtl 
Roma capere tentauerGt-pmo per aqdudlu queda uia 
nodlaqfita-deinde ratibus traieilo amne iuxta martiG 
Capa-bed utroep i loco cos fefellit fpes- Na?8C per aq^ 
ducHG cofpeila lumina fraude ilfoxp detexerut; CC obz 
(Irafo aqdudiu,facultas eis plcifa efliuadedi: SC ad ca, 
pum martiG detefta proditio conatGeoip irritanit-fuit 
ante pditio i hue modu copofita • Duo ex infima pie, 
be homines iuxta templu beati petri babitabat- Id tem. 
plG ut oftendimus :Gotbi nag uiolaaerut fed edifitia 
cius,SC homines ibiis habitates ueneratione apofluli 
illefa feraabat-bii ergo duo fermone cu Vitige babue, 
rat,de urbepdenda-Querebat uero facultas tails-In 
fra campu martiG quoda loco ualde iutilia.SC pene ne. 
glefta eratmgnia,c6fifis utputo ueteribus munimeto'ti 
berisYitigis igit lintres,8C rates,8C omifana nauigia ad 
pote IVkiluiaparari fccerat-Noilug latetcr fecGdo 
amne dimiffis ratibus, militibuTg ipofitis,urbe i uade. 
re coflituerat-fViultitadine eni exercitus i exterion ri. 
pa exiftente^per facile forefperabat,ut expofitis pmis 
militibus alu^atcp alii cotmuo nfde ratibus traferent, 
Plate No. 13- 
couerfus continue dimicas^ad extrema in facie corruit. 
Erat fere fexta diei bora^cum Tbeias occubuit-Gotbi 
tame ob regis mortem nequag deterriti ufg ad nodle 
pugnaaerunt^nung pedem referentes- fadlis denig te 
nebris pGgna ceffauit-cG primo Iblfsortu cepta fuifiet 
Ea noAe utrig armati fleterGt;utg dies apparuit tut/ 
fus in pGgnam reditum efl ettafg ad folis occafu ca 
magna flrage utriufg partis dimicatu- Tandem uero 
Gotbiad Narfetemoratoribus miffis aelle fe italia ex 
cedere obtulerantji incolumes abire afportareg fua 
perm ittantur-Sin bee fibi non pmittat Narfes^g diu 
uiuant tam diu pungnare non defituros efle -Que cG 
itelfexiffet Maries/n cofilio re difcufla, illis pmittere 
decreait-ne aduerfas difpatos homines magno facie 
detrimento uidloriain adipifeatur -Inter bee ad mills 
equites ex Gotboif caflris aufagerat magnify itineri/ 
bus papiam,et alia trafpadum oppida petierut -R.elig, 
aut federe cum Marfete idle fua priuatim afportantes 
Itaba excedere^ac nug aduerfas Romana imperium 
bellG gerere promiferunt libertate tamen retenta fine 
ulla Romani imperii fabiedlioe-Quofadlo Cumas ac 
ceteranu? fuperat oppida Karfes recepitFmifg fuit 
anni Decimiodtaui bnius belli ' 
Flunc Iibellum Emilianus de Orfinis Fulginas 
lobannes Numeiflertbeutanicus: eiufgfbtii 
feliciter imprefferunt Fulgineiin domociafde 
Emiliani anno domini MiUefimoquadringetez 
limofeptuagefimo feliciter- OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
31 
.... vii. idus novembres. mcccc lxxi Bernardvs Cennius 
aurifex . . . . et Dominicus eius. F uolumen hoc primum 
impresserunt. . . . [At end of the Georgies:] Servii Honorati 
... in Georgica . . . explanatio explicit .... V. idus 
Januarias. mcccclxxi [At end of the volume:] . . . 
Bernardus Cenninus .... et Dominicus eius. F im- 
presserunt. Petrus eiusdem Bernardi. F. emendavit . . . . 
Absolutum opus Nonis Octobribus, mcccclxxii. Florentiae. 
Folio, 237 leaves. 
Bernardo Cennini was a native of Florence. He was a worker in metal, 
and goldsmith, and assisted Ghiberti in making the doors of the Baptistery. 
He and his two sons were the first to introduce the art of printing to the 
people of Florence. Copies are in the National Library, Paris, and at Althorp. 
CREMONA. 
Lectura Angeli de Pervsio super I. P. ff. novi [super primam 
partem Digesti novi.] [Colophon :] Impressa et completa fuit 
(p . . . . Dionysium de Paravesino, et Stephanum de Merlinis 
de Leucho territorii Mediolanensis in Civitate Cremona sub 
anno .... m. cccc. lxxii0, die martii, xxvi. Januarii. Folio. 
This Dionysius was a native of a little place in the environs of Milan, 
called Paravesino. He printed at Milan, in 1476, the first Greek book,- 
a grammar by Lascaris. 
1472 
PADUA. 
La Fiammetta del Boccacio. [Colophon:] m. cccc. lxxil Die. 
xxi. Marcii. Finis. Fvit. Fiamete. Bar. val. Patauus F. F. 
Martinus de septe arboribus Prutenus. Quarto, 132 leaves. 
1472 32 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
These abbreviations "Bar. Vai.'' stand for Bartholomaeus de Vai de 
Zocchio, an influential citizen of Padua. His associate, Mar. de Septem 
Arboribus, was probably the printer of the firm, who had acquired a knowl- 
edge of his art in some other place. Several of their books are notable for 
qualities which are of first importance to those who admire fine work. 
JESI. 
La Comedia di Dante Alleghieri di Firenze. [Colophon:] 
Explicit, liber. Dantis. impressus. a. magistro. Federico, 
veronensi. m. cccc. lxxii. Qvintodecimo. . Alendas. avgvsti. 
Quarto, 216 leaves. 
Although the name of the place is not mentioned in the Colophon, writers 
generally agree that this edition of Dante was the first book printed at 
Jesi, and that Frederico of Verona was its printer. It has not been decided 
which is the first edition of this work,- the one under consideration, or the 
edition of Foligno of the same year. 
1472 
PARMA. 
Plutarchi Tractatus de liberis educandis, Guarino Veronensi 
interprete. Hieronymi Presbiteri de officiis liberorum erga 
parentes. Basilii Magni de legendis gentilium libris oratio 
ad adolescentes, Leonardo Aretino interprete. [Colophon:] 
.... ipressit opus nobis Portilia Parmae Andreas: . . . . 
Nono calendas octobres. m. cccc. lxxii. Quarto, 40 leaves. 
Andreas Portilia, a native of Parma, was the first to set up a printing- 
press in that city. He probably learned the art from Azzoguidi of 
Bologna. 
1472 MILAN . . . 1471. 
Plate No. 14. 
M agiftrare regere & temperate eft: , 
M unicas pro comunicas dicebant . 
M ukifacerediciftficut magmface^ puifacere.Catomeq? fide 
neq; iufiurandu:neque pudicicia:multifacit:q? merito ab ufu 
receflittquia quantatas numero non afhmatur:nec defyderat 
M agifteria dicuntur in omnibus rebus tqui ma/ (multitudme ♦ 
gis cxteris poHunt tut magifterium equitum ♦ 
M aledidtores dicebatur ab antiquistqui nunc maledici • 
M ibipte Cato pro mibi' ipfi pofuit • 
M anfaes pro manfuetus . 
M eritauere idem Cato ait pro meruere . 
M agnificius idem ipfe pro magnifiedtius dixit :& non fruftra : 
mm pofitiuus eius magnihee eft . 
M unjficior a mumfico identide Cato dixittcum nunc munifice/ 
tior dicamus tquanuis munificens non fit in ufii. 
M ediocnculustipfe qui fiipra pofuittcum ait ridibundu ma/ 
giflratumtpauculos homines mediocriculum exercitum obui 
am dud. 
M utinitini iacellum fiiit Romxtcui mulieres uelatx togis prx/ 
textatis {blebant facrificare . 
M atronx a magiftratibus nd fubmouebanr:ne pulfim cotredla 
nq; uiderenf :ne ue grauidx cdcuterenttied ne uin earum fe 
dentes di uxonbus in uebiculo defeendere cpgebantur * 
Munuebatur populo lu&ustadis dedicationetcum acenfbnbus 
luftrum condebaturtcum uotum publice fufeeptum foluebaf ♦ 
priuatis autem cum liberi nafeerenturreum honos in fami/ 
lia uenirettcum pater autliberi aut uirraut fratertab bofle 
captus domum redirettquom puella defponfareturtcum pro/ 
piore quis cognationetq istqui lugeretur natus eflettcum in 
caftro Ceteris conflitiflent . 
M axime dignationis flamcn dialis eft inter qndecim flamines: 
V e nobis dicebatur ab antiquis :& ni uobis . 
V inciam dicebant continentem . 
V ernifera menfalia auguria : : : : Ly 
F S 7 
Laudetur Cbriftus per quinque foramina lefiis • 
FESTI POMPEY LIBER EXPLETVS EST 
Mcdiolani Tertio Nonas Auguftas . Millefrimo : * 
Quadringenteftmo > Septuageflimo Primo Ad : 
Honorem : & Laudem : Illuftnfiimi Ac InuidfEmi 
Galeas Manx Mediolani Duels Quinti . 
Ac DucatusT^ Sui Anno^Qumto . OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
33 
MONDOVI or MONREALE. 
Tractates Anthonini archiepiscopi Florentini de institutione 
confessorum. [Colophon:] Explicit summa confessionum sen 
interrogatorium pro simplicibus confessoribus editum ab archie- 
piscopo florentino, videlicet fratre Antonino ordinis predica- 
torum. Finita in Monte Regali: anno domini. m. cccc. lxxii. 
die xxim. mensis octobris. 
Quern genuit quondam germana Antuuerpia potens 
Matthiae Antonius virtute insignis et arte 
Baldasar et socius Corderius .... 
.... finierunt Antonianam 
Arte nova formae .... 
At least one writer believes that Mathias, of Anvers, was one of the 
printers driven away from Mentz in 1462. A copy is at the National 
Library, Paris. 
1472 
BRESCIA. 
Leonardi Arretini Epistolarvm familiarivm [libri VIIL] m cccc 
lxxii. Folio, 79 leaves. 
This very rare book is believed to be the first which was printed at 
Brescia, and from the press of Thomas Ferrando, the first known printer of 
that city. A copy is at the National Library, Paris. 
1472 
FIVIZZANO. 
P. Virgilii Maronis Opera. [Colophon :] 
Sculpserunt docti manibus sed pectore firmo 
Carmina uirgilii uatis super aethera noti 
1472 34 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
lacobus existens primus, baptista sacerdos 
Atq[ue] Allexander comites in amore benigni 
Qui fiuizani uiuunt super oppida digni. 
m. cccc. lxxii. Folio, 170 leaves. 
Santander says that the " lacobus " referred to was " lacobus Lunensis 
de Fevizano," who was at Venice in 1477. He was probably employed by 
the priest "Baptista " and his associate "Alexander" to print two books 
at Fivizzano in 1472 and 1473. A copy is at the National Library, Paris. 
MANTUA. 
Il Decamerone di Messer Giovanni Boccacio. [Colophon :] 
Mantue impressum .... Anno .... mcccclxxii. Petrvs 
Adam de Michaelibus eivsdem vrbis ciuis imprimendi avctor. 
Folio, 263 leaves. 
There is a small tract of Plutarch's in the National Library at Paris, 
which at least one writer believes to have been printed at Mantua before 
1472; but I know of no existing testimony to uphold such a belief. There 
are at least five Mantua books of the date of 1472. A majority of the 
bibliographers have elected to accept the Decamerone as the first of the 
five. Of course, their selection is arbitrary. This book is of the greatest 
rarity. A copy is at Althorp. 
1472 
SANT' ORSO, or SANT' URSINO. 
P. Virgilii Maronis Opera. [Colophon:] Vrbs basilea mihi 
nomen est Leonardos Achates. Qvi tua compressi Carmina 
diue Maro: Anno Christi humanati: m. cccc. Ixxij. Venet. 
Duce Nicol. Trono. Folio, 196 leaves. 
In relation to the first printer and first book of St. Orso I shall venture 
no opinion, but will quote from the " Notice des Objets Exposes " of the 
1472 OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
35 
National Library, Paris : " Ce Virgile est, tres-probablement, le premier 
livre imprime dans le petit bourg de Sant' Orso ou Sant' Ursino pres de 
Vicence." The many seemingly naked assertions to the effect that this 
book was the first printed at St. Orso, have crystallized themselves into an 
accepted fact; and since so many learned writers have accepted this set 
conclusion, I must confess that I am not bold enough, in this instance at 
least, to disagree with them. 
VERONA. 
Valtvrivs Ariminensis. De Re Militari. [Colophon :] lohannes 
ex uerona oriundus: Nicolai cyrugie medici filius : Artis im- 
pressorie magister: hunc de re militari librum elegantissimum: 
litteris et figuratis signis sua in patria primus impressit. An. 
m. cccclxxii. Folio, 262 leaves of 37 lines to page. 
Panzer, Santander, and Hain assign a book to the press of this city as 
early as 1470. There is no evidence, however, of that being the date of the 
printing of the work they mention, and it probably refers to the time of the 
completion of its translation. The wood-engravings in this edition of 
Valturius have been attributed to Matteo Pasta. A copy is in the National 
Library at Paris. 
1472 
MESSINA. 
La vita del glorioso Sancto Hieronimo doctore excellentissimo. 
[Colophon:] Finita e questa opera nela magnifica cita Messina 
di Sicilia per Mastro rigo dalamania .... nel anno .... 
m. cccc. lxxiii. a di xv d'April .... Quarto. 
According to Deschamps, Heinrick Aiding, a German printer, who had 
probably worked with Sweynheim and Pannartz at Rome, and Mastro 
Rigo are the same. Santander says he left Rome for Catane in 1471, and 
1473 36 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
not succeeding there, set up the first press at Messina in 1473. It is possibly 
true that he was the first printer at Messina, but up to this time it has not 
been conclusively proved that he printed this book. 
GENOA. 
Nicolai de Avsmo Suppiementum summae quae Pisanella uocatur. 
[Colophon:] Expletum feliciter lanue. X. Kalendas lulii, 
Millesimo quadrigete l.i.i.° quarto per Mathiam morauum de 
olomuntz et Michaelem de Monacho Sotium eius. Folio. 
Moravus was one of the best practical printers of the fifteenth century, as 
many of his works most clearly show. He was at Naples from 1475 to 
1491. A specimen of his Genoa work may safely be considered a very 
great rarity. 
1474 
COMO. 
Tractatus appellationvm qui tractatvs congiarivm nvncvpatvs est. 
[Colophon :] Completa p Dominum Johanem Antoniu^ de sancto 
Georgio dietu de placentia .... Comi impressa per magistros 
Ambroxium de orcho et Dyonisium de parauesino Quinto jdus 
augustas. mcccc lxx iiii° .... Folio, 192 leaves. 
This printer was at Cremona in 1472, and at Milan in 1476. 
1474 OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
37 
SAVONA. 
Boethii Consolatio Philosophic. [Colophon:] Impressum 
in Sauona in conuentu Sancti Augustini per Fratrem Bonum 
lohannem .... Anno m.cccc.lxxiv. Quarto, 63 leaves. 
It is not known that another book was printed at Savona before the end 
of the fifteenth century. 
1474 
TURIN. 
Breviarium Romanum. [Colophon :] Praeclarissimi et medici et 
philosophi Domini Magistri Panthaleonis volumina lohannes 
Fabri et lohanninus de Petro Galici .... Taurini . . . . 
impressere. m. cccc. lxiiii. Octavo, 503 leaves. 
Fabri was probably a native of Langres, France, his name in that country 
being Jean Lefevre. He has sometimes been confounded with Jo. Faber, 
a German, who printed at Lyons from 1478 to 1494, and with another of 
the same name who was at Stockholm in 1495 and 1496. 
1474 
VICENZA. 
Dita Mundi, Incomenza el libro primo Dita Mundi cumponuto 
per Fazio di Giuberti da Firenza .... Vicentia, Maestro 
Leonardo da Basilia " mille setanta quatro e quatrociento." 
Folio, 106 leaver 
This is the first book with a date which mentions Vicenza as the place 
where it was printed. Another work, dated 1473, by Jo. de Rheno, is by 
several writers given the first place. Achates was at Venice, 1472, at 
Padua, 1473, and at St. Orso, 1474. A copy is at the National Library, 
Paris. 
1474 38 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
MODENA. 
P. Virgilii Maronis opera. [Colophon:] Mutine impressum 
per Magistrum lohannem Vurster de Campidona. Anno d. m. 
cccc. Lxxiiiii. die vicesima tertia Mensis lanuarii. Folio, 221 
leaves. 
Wurster was a native of Kempten, Bavaria. A copy of this work is at 
Althorp. 
1475 
REGGIO. 
(In Calabria.) 
R. Salomonis Jarchi Commentarius in Pentateuchum. [Colo- 
phon :] Ego filius Garton filius Isaac Abrahamus in Regio 
urbe .... in fine Calabriae ubi peregrinatur Abraham anno 
O. C. quinque millesimo ducentesimo trigesimo quinto [a. d. 
1475], die x adar postremi mensis juxta supputationem Abra- 
hami. Folio. 
The only printer at this Reggio during the fifteenth century. I have never 
seen a copy of this work, and I do not know where one can be found. 
1475 
PIEVE di SACCO. 
R. Jacobi ben Ascer Arba turim, sive iv ordines. [Colophon: 
(translated)] Absolutum porro est .... Feria II. die 
xxvin mensis Tamuz, qui est mensis quartus, Anno v.ccxxxv. 
[a. d. 1475.] aereae praefixae. Plebisacii in domo R. Mescultam 
cognomine Kosi .... 4 volumes, folio, 458 leaves. 
1475 OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
39 
This is the only book known to have been printed at this village during 
the fifteenth century. This Rabbi probably superintended the labors of a 
Venetian workman who had been employed to print this work. 
CAGLI. 
Maph^i Vegii de morte Astianactis opus locundum et Miserabile. 
[Colophon:] Anno gratiae. m cccc lxxv, tertio kalendas lulii. 
Hoc opusculum Callii impressum est .... Hoc .... im- 
pressere Robertus cum Bernardino .... Quarto, 6 leaves. 
These Italians were the only printers who exercised their art at Cagli 
during the fifteenth century. Only four books from their press are recorded. 
1475 
CASELLE or CASALE. 
(Near Turin.) 
Divi Hieronymi vitae sanctorum Patrum. [Colophon :] Per 
clarissimum medicum et philosophum Pantalionem Perque 
Johanem Fabri Galicum .... volumina in Casellarum Im- 
pressa sunt. Anno domini m cccc lxxv, heroys calidoney luce 
penultima mensis Augusti .... Quarto. 
For some unknown reason Prosper Marchand assigned this work to 
Cashel, in Ireland ; but, without doubt, it was the first book printed at 
Casale, by Jean Lefevre, who was the first printer at Turin, also. 
1475 40 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
PERUGIA. 
Barthol. de Saliceto. Lectura super IX. Codicis. [Colophon:] 
Lectura .... Anno dni m. cccc. lxxv. Perusie impssa 
feliciter explicit. Folio, 159 leaves. 
Two other books of the supposed date of 1473 are attributed to the press 
of Perugia; but it is certain that the date of this edition of Saliceto is the 
earliest known. Heinrich Clayn, of Ulm, appears to have been the first 
printer; we find his name, for the first time, in an edition of the " Digesti 
Veteris Libri xxiv. cum glossis " of 1476. 
1475 
PIACENZA. 
Biblia Latina. [At the end of the Old Testament:] UetP 
testametu .... p me lohane petru d' ferratis cremonese 
placetie impssuz. Anno dni. m. cccc. lxx. quinto felicit explicit. 
Quarto, 392 leaves, 2 columns, 60 lines. 
This is a very rare and much esteemed edition of the Latin Vulgate. It 
was printed with very small gothic types, and is believed to be the first 
quarto edition of the Bible. There is a copy in the Ambrosian Library at 
Milan, and another in the collection at Althorp. 
1475 
POLLIANO. 
Petrarcha : Il : Libro : degli : Huomini : Famosi : Compillato : 
per : Miser : Francisco : Petrarcha. [At end of the fourth 
leaf:] Non scripto calamo anseris ve penna Antiquaries istud 
1476 POLLIANO . . . 1476. 
Plate No. 15. 
REGIS TRO:* 
Incomicia il libro 
Vno rempio 
Valente done 
Statua di Na 
Foffe sopra a 
Statua di:Qu: ci 
St:di: M: Fun 
Incontro ata 
Formento nel 
Seguitano Ii fidi 
Se :if:d public 
St :ifid:L:papi 
Elquakera fla 
ADe fatiche ma 
La quak ello 
Seg nf :di :Pyr 
Haueano data 
Egil irfar la uido 
St :de:q:Fabio 
ne co flamim 
Fa metioe:tul 
Ala rmata (otto il 
Prouide prim 
sello non la 
to ma ti alui ef 
Seg: lit fide liuio 
akuni da pu 
de italia che e 
data animo ali 
Perforza la cita 
cond uceua la 
p extremi peri 
mortorii e io 
DE:, TVTTO:, 
Tardi drfpoucdo 
Fu mandate 
Egli sono pre 
Moueano la 
Place la segmno 
Di ^argiento 
Anni nelliqu 
St: di:M:Por:C: 
La re publica 
Alle noflretn 
Se: igloriofnfadi 
Come homi 
Graue puitioe 
Serna to ihifp 
Capo& per que 
chealoronon 
quelle medeft 
quafi rabiofo 
Etafuplicio coda 
ala'tre terre do 
acominzare la 
Ie continue pi 
Hauia com&lato 
comadato cir 
in quel tepo 
al popul chel 
Preda aicauallieri 
cioe ambtori 
far uendeta del 
mente la pan 
IL:, LIBRO: 
De romanii gra 
Chel hauea 
Alaqua & al 
Etpenfo quel 
Laquale terra no 
Seruitu quelli 
Homo el qua' 
Eco quelli po: 
Preftata per la mi 
Che ludichi 
Detetmirato 
Bibuloando apo 
Speraza di ui 
Lianimi & 
Pcco meno niuo 
acefate fiche a 
code tutti com 
Da cauallo & ifp 
ufando quelle 
in mezo la pia 
siano uendtti 
Regine dele qua 
li uolea apare 
ancora de libri 
quale inflame 
Iniuria ad phania 
la guerra con 
arifteno pfin 
XV:milha hoi 
Tant^ (confide' 
Vfaza iromaf 
Quella uido 
Portato done 
Inganno da nemi 
Erano uenuti 
Logo difpofle 
Seg:li:fidi:q:c 
Tnuphalmente 
Seg: li:f :d: mt 
Ria & forte 
Cita (upba de 
Softenne pena 
Profpera ma ft 
Egia.icombati 
infignearanea 
Libidine per fpa 
due erano du 
romani feritt 
quieto fi Ii 
per la qual cof 
Le mie saete 
tefpirare 
St:di Tito 
ceffarono 
con tormento 
ILIuflfesoperehoc uiros perire 
Francifd ingenium uetat Petrachae 
Non script© calamo anfens ue penna 
Antiqqarius iGud aere Felix 
ImpreffiWuit Innocens Ziletus 
Adiutor sociusc^.rure Polliano 
Verona ad lapidetn iacente quartutn: t 
a.Mt C:C tC :C :L X X VI tit 
KLt.OCTOBRISu OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
41 
aere Felix Impressit : Fuit Innocens Ziletus adiutor sociusque 
Rure Polliano. .:. m.c:c:c:c:lxxvi .:. Verona ad lapidem iacente 
quartum. KL .-. OCTOBRIS. Folio, 240 leaves. 
This is the rarest edition of this work, and the only book printed at 
Polliano during the fifteenth century. There is a copy at the British 
Museum, and another in the collection of the author. See plate No. 15. 
LUCCA. 
Francisci Petrarchs poetae clarissimi triumphorum sex [Liber]. 
[Colophon :] Impressus Lucae liber est hie: primus ubi artem 
de Civitali Bartholomeus init. Anno mcccclxxvii, die xn maii. 
Folio. 
At least one writer has tried to prove that a book was printed at Lucca 
in the year 1468. The one described is the first with place, name, and date, 
and is, without doubt, the first production of the Lucca press. 
1477 
ASCOLI. 
La Cronica de Sancto Isidero Menore, con alchune addition! 
caciate del texto et Istoria della Bibbia e del libro de Paulo 
Orosio. [Colophon:] Impresso in Ascoli in casa del Rev. 
Plebano de sancto Venantio Miser Pascale: per mano del degno 
impressore Mag. Golielmo de Linis de Alamania, m. cccc. lxxvii. 
Quarto, 157 leaves. 
No other book is known to have been printed at Ascoli until 1496. 
Copies of this work are very rare. 
1477 42 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
PALERMO. 
Joannis Nasonis Carleonensis consuetudines felicis urbis Panormi 
.... Panormi, apud Andream de Wormacia. 1477. Quarto. 
This is the only book known to have been printed at Palermo in the 
fifteenth century. A copy is in the National Library, Paris. 
1477 
COLLE. 
Dioscorides de materia medica libri V, etc., latine, curante Pedro 
Paduano. [Colophon:] Explic Dyascorides .... Impressus 
colie p magistruz Joh'em allemanum de Medemblick, anno Xpi 
millesimo. cccc0. Lxxviij0. mense iulij. Folio, 103 leaves. 
This is the only book by this printer; two others were issued at Colle the 
same year by another printer,- one dated the 12th of September, and the 
other giving the year, but not the day of the month. The work described, 
having the earliest date, is given the first place. 
1478 
COSENZA. 
Jacobo Campharo de immortalitate animae in modum dialogi 
vulgariter. [Colophon:] .... Cusantiae, Octaviani Salo- 
monii, 1478. Quarto. 
Only two books are known to have been printed at Cosenza during the 
fifteenth century; both by the same printer and of the same year. The 
work described above has always been given the first place. 
1478 OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
43 
TOSCOLANO. 
Guarini Veronensis viri peritissimi Grammaticales regulae. [Colo- 
phon:] Opus .... hie foeliciter completum est Troscolani 
per Magistrum Gabrielem Petri Trivixiani Anno Crysti m. cccc. 
lxxviiii. die xii. Januarii. Regnante Johanne Mocenigo : Duce 
Venetiis .... Quarto, 29 leaves. 
Two other books bearing the same date are known to have been printed 
at Toscolano. The one described is believed to be the first. This printer 
was at Venice from 1472 to 1478, and at Brescia in 1481. 
1479 
PINEROLO. 
Boetii de Consolatione Philosophie libri V. [Colophon:] 
Pinarolii per Jacobum de Rubeis Gallicum. m. cccc. lxx. Nono. 
Octavo Kalend. Novembr. Folio. 
Hym mentions a Bible in Italian printed at Pinerolo in 1475. No other 
writer has ever referred to such an edition of the Scriptures. So far as 
known, there were but three books printed there before the close of the 
fifteenth century. The above was undoubtedly the first. 
1479 
NOVI. 
Baptists Salii : Summa de casibus conscientiae, Baptistiana 
nuncupata 1479. Quarto. 
Nicalao Ghirardengo, a native of Novi, was probably the printer of this 
book. Another Novi book is attributed to him by Panzer for the year 
1479 44 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
1484. He is also mentioned by this author as having had a press at 
Venice in 1479, 1480, 1481, 1482, and at Pavia 1481 and 1483. He issued 
an edition of " Expositio siue Sermones super Cantica Canticorum " from 
his Pavia press dated December 18, 1482. 
NON ANTOLA. 
Breviarium Romanum seciidu more r consuetudines romae curie. 
[Colophon :] Impssu Nonatule due Mutie p nos Georgiu 9 
Antonin fres d'mischmis ciues muti. Anno m. cccclxxx. d'mese 
maii. Octavo, 528 leaves. 
This is the only book issued from a press at this town during the fifteenth 
century, of which copies are still in existence, and these brothers are the 
only printers known to have been at Nonantola before the year 1501. 
Copies are at Althorp, and in the Public Library at Modena. 
1480 
FRIAUL, or CIVIDAD di FRIULI. 
Platyne de honesta Voluptate Valitudie. ad Amplissimu ac 
Doctissimum. D. B. Rouerellam. [Colophon :] Viri doctis- 
simi Platyne opusculum de Obsoniis : ac de honesta voluptate 
0 valitudine : impressuz in ciuitate austrie : impensis 9 expensis 
Gerardi de Flandria. Venetiaruz Duce Inclito Johanne Moceico. 
nono kalendas nouembris. m cccc lxxx .... Quarto, 93 
leaves. 
Deschamps describes Gerard de Flandria as one of the vagabond printers, 
- a missionary of the grand art of printing, who probably left Mentz about 
the time of its capture, 1462. A copy is in the author's collection. See 
plate No. 16. 
1480 CIVIDAD DI FRIULI. . .1480. 
Plate No. 16. 
roztaSflba. 
I Jbza amygdala^ bene tunfaj cuj aqua rofa^ 
ceaidiqj inf rifi fere cocti ■oiffoluitojac per fe 
taceum in moztarium trafmittito. Kifi &nde bene 
cocti vncias.viii.cu ipfis amigdalis tentoiaddendo 
fermeti albi vnciao tref barmli paeons lyci ut fap 
dictii ejfdibza faccbari:vncia nudeo^ pineo^ pa^ 
in moztario tunforu.XDixta bee ow in patella bene 
vneta et fubcrulbata eptendeo:ad focuqj pones.Se 
inicocte lagans fuperne e^tendes:4octe aqua rof< 
cu faccbaro mfpargef. ?Hd boc fepi9inmtare Xaffiu 
nifi colicaj egritndine fsceret:bene alittepati opim 
laturtvenerem ciet. Xozta ep cicere rubeo. 
c Jeer rubeu coctum cum fuo iure: cunq? mode 
co^ique rofacee ptudesjtunfam p fetaceum in 
catinum trafferes.libza nmygdah^ adeo tritam 
ut non fit opus per fetaceum trafmittere; vuas vn* 
cias palfnla^ tres ant quatuoi ficus fimul tunfas: 
vnciampzeterea pmeo^ femitufo^xtatu faccbana 
sque rofacee quatum fateftxcf nnami ac gingiberie 
tantude bis addesradmifcebifqj.Wicta m pattnaj 
bene vneta 7 fubcruflata eptendes.Simt qut bami 
lu ant ona lyci addat.quo tenano: bee tozta fa.£o 
cti ferme igne fuperne iniecto coloratioze facies. 
Xenuis bee fit a faccbaro a aqua rofacea fuffunda 
tur.£pati i ventri tatum boc eduliu opitulatur. 
Co2ta l^andodapa. 
I Jbza pifo^x^coru intranets coctozum pi/ 
feiumroua ite trute aut tmcbe:modicU5 petro 
fdini pa^ mentbe bene concife in moztario fimf co 
teres.Slddedo e^ faccbaro cynnamo gigiberiupa 
w facerit. T>ec bene tufa aqua rofacea viffolues in 
fraudatio:fcclus:farO2:turp^^ * tementss: 
ftaf:amentia:oefperatio rermmquibus tanqs teter 
hmis furturia agitati: nifi foites a conftantes m 
mus. £qintatem:pudicitiam:bonam rationemxpu 
doiem ftdem:pietatem:conftanttam:bonefhtem: 
fan am mentem v bonam fpem amittentes sb inte* 
gra voluptatexquam a bone vah'mdmi coniunctaj 
didmus.cum oedecoze vedinabimus. 
% .finis. 
tliri ■ooctiftTmi fMatyne opufcufum w obfo* 
niis:ac ve bonefta voluptate a valitudi* 
ne: impzefluj in Xiuitate SuRries 
impenfis ■? expenfis Berardi 
de f landria.Henetiaruj 
^uce^ndito Jo* 
banne IDoccico. 
& iQono'kalendas iQouernbziSe ❖ 
jop&afAm*. 
* lau© Omnipotent! X>eo. * 
❖ OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
45 
REGGIO. 
(In Modena.) 
Peroti Nicolai Rudimenta Grammaticae. [Colophon:] Nicolai 
Perotti Sypontini .... rudimentorum grammatice finis. Im- 
pressum Regii opera et impensis Bartholomaei et Laurentii 
de Bruschis fratrum [cognomento Bottom]. Anno Domini 
M. CCCCLXXX. Quarto. 
These brothers, natives of Reggio, seem to have commenced and ended 
their career as printers at their native place. 
1480 
CASALE-CASAL di SAN-VASO. 
Epistol/E Heroides [P. Ovidii Nasonis], cum Comment. Ant. 
Volsci et Hubertini Clerici Crescentinatis. [Colophon:] Im- 
pressa est in loco Casalis sancti Evaxii, anno .... m cccc 
lxxxi octauo idus septembris .... Impressit Gulielmus de 
Canepa-Nova, de campanilibus de Sancto-Salvatore, impensa 
praedicti Hubertini, venerabilisque .... Stephani de Ulmo, 
.... Folio. 
Notwithstanding assertions to the contrary by esteemed authorities, I 
still believe that this is the only book of this particular Casale printed 
during the fifteenth century. 
1481 
SALUZZO. 
Auli Persii Flacci Satyrarum liber. [Colophon:] Impressus 
Salutiis, arte et impensis Martini de la Valle, correctusqz .... 
1481 46 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
opa .... Johanis Gauterii rectoris scholariuz Saluciesiii anno 
Dni m cccc lxxxi. Folio, 12 leaves. 
Some remarks made by Brunet suggest some sort of connection between 
de la Valle and de Rossi, a printer of Pinerolo. 
PISA. 
Franciscus de Accoltis de Aretio. Consilia sen responsa juris. 
[Colophon :] Pisis impressa. Anno Do. m° cccc0 Lxxxij0 die 
vero xxiij. mensis Martii Folio, 207 leaves. 
Lorenzo and Angelo, of Florence, are believed to have been the first 
printers at Pisa. Their names appear for the first time in the second book 
printed there, dated 1484. 
1482 
AQUILA. 
Plutarco : vite degl' imperatori traducte de lat. in volgare, per 
Bapt. Aless. Jaconello de Riete .... Stamp, per Maestro 
Adam de Rotuvil, Alamano stampatore excellente. xvi de 
septemb. m. cccc. lxxxii. Folio, 334 leaves. 
Two other books of the same year, but without the days of the month, 
are mentioned as having been printed at Aquila. Rotwil worked at Venice 
in the years 1474, 1476, 1477, and 1480. There is a copy in the collection 
of the author. See plate No. 17. 
1482 
UDINE. 
Constituzioni de la patria de frivoli Epistola Pre Piero Cavretto 
de Pordenon saluda, .... [Colophon :] Impressa in Udene. 
Per maistro Gerardo de fiandra. Sotto il regimento del mag- 
1484 AQUILA. . . 1482. 
Plate No. 17. 
SEripolta facer dote men an do de thefaglia in Boetla Ofel 
ta Re & li populi foi laffo de fe dopoi fameglia per multo 
tempo nobiliflima:della qual fameglia multi la citta Che 
ronianehabitarozdoue hauendoneprimaper forzacaue 
ti li barbari fe fermarono: Affaiffimide talflirpe eflendc 
homini naturalmente pugnaci &animofndimofirado gra 
diffima audacia i le correrie deli Medi & in le badtaglie ga 
laticbe forono admazatizrimanendone damone cognomi 
parent! priuozCoflui per bellecza de forma & grandeza de 
animo ad ueruno de foi equali daualochoznientedemeno hauea natura inexo 
rabile K durazEra un capo de fqaadra romano che per uentura in quel tempo 
hauendo hauute leflantie perla inuernata in cheronia de queflo giouene ar/ 
dentiHimamente era innamorato zflC non poffendolo ne per pregiere ne p do 
ni tirarlo al fuo uolerezdimoflro che fenzahauer rifpedo ad la cita: uolelie ad 
quillo fare uiolentiazlmpero che la noftra patria in quel tempo ne de cittadini 
ne de riccheze hauea grande habundantia :Onde Damone prouccato dalla 
ffrenata importunita de tale homoicontra lui fe fclignauaz& finalmente pone 
do le infidie contra quillozElefie ad tai cofa non piu che fidice deli compagni 
fbizfperando cheeffendo picchola compagnia de coniuratizpiu fecretamente 
elpofleffe fequirex cofloro hauendo la magior parte dela noefte confiimata in 
beuere * liibito che fe fe giorno : tegnendofeprima el uolto con fcligine nel 
foro armati ufeerono zdoue hauendo admazato el romano finche facrificaua: 
& multi altri che li erano prefentiz fubito della citta fugieronoz Onde effendo 
nato el tumultozfi che gran parte de cheronifi fe adunarono adconfiglio inla 
cortet fo ordinata la caftigatione contra de quilli & condamnati ad morte: la 
qual determinatione multo prefTo alliromani excufo li Cheronifi4. ma Damo 
ne intrando per forza in la corte con 11 foi: & hauendo admaczati li principal! 
della cittazche fecondo lor cofuetudine cenauano al tardoz Vnaltra uolta de 
(a citta fugeozLutio lucullo cafualmente in quel tempo menando le genti del 
(a hauendo intefe tai morti de romani zperche nouamente tai fchadalo era oc 
corfozfermo li foi darn ar di: & hauendo co fumma diligentia incerchata St tro 
uata la caufa de tai cofazche la citta no folamente era innocentezma fenza cau 
fa li era fadta ingiuriazleuando li foldati col fuo exercito fequito el fuo camino 
Ma Damone facendo in li campi correrie & depredando el pagefez fci che era 
grandiflimo pericolo ad la cittaz li cittadini determinaronoprenderlo co frau 
de< & cofi fingendoperdonarli el rechiamaro per loro ambafliatori in la citta 
doueritornato fubito elferono fopraflantedelgimnafioz &: doppoi finche fe 
ungnea in la flufa lo admaczaronozper la qual cofa i tailocho fecundo dali no 
flri patri hauemo intefo: forono uiftc flranie apparentie & gran fofpiri intefk 
Et al prefente li uicini de quil locho extimano li effete turbulent! ffime ucci:6C 
andarui al torno flranie figurez Li homini adunqua de quefla fameglia che an 
cbor ne fonno alcuni quail fpecialmente pratichano infra li Eolii din torno ad 
Stirin de phocidez fonno caliginati nominati: perche Damone tinto de caUgi 
nezfeincrudelio ad admaczare li Romani: Erano li Orthomenii non folamen 
VITA DE CIMONE 
Ma quelle cole che fbrono defte da maliuoli Ie dimoftro eflere Rile: Ta glcri/ 
oia morte de quit giouene: perche combadtendo per la liberta della patria co 
tra Augufto fit Antonio in li campt philippiteffendo gia rodte le genti de Bru 
to: lui non uolfe fiigire ne alchonderfe : ma facendo impeto contra 11 inemtct 
St de quilli admaczando un grannumerormoftro chi lui foffe fit anchi de qual 
patre fofle nato i Seiche facendo la fua uertu marauegliare clafchuno I final/ 
mente morio. La figliola de Catone donna de Bruto che admaczo Gefari: ne 
per fortecza neper pudicitfa fb mancho dad fere laudata che Catone: Im/ 
pero che lei fo partecepe della coniuratione contra de Cefari: onde fo morta 
glioriolamente como alia fuanobilita le apperteneua. Statilio comoimita/ 
tore de Catone fe uolfe admaczare: ma quilli philofophi da cio lo prohibero: 
Onde nel fequente tempo giongendofe con Bruto in nella guerra contra de 
Augufto St Marcho Antonio: St la dimoftrando gran fidelita fit ftudio in nel J 
campi philippi fo admaczato 
E ini Tee la prima parte deTie nite de PTutarchot traduce per 
Baptifta Alexandro laconello de Riete: fit ftampare 
in Aquila adi.xvi-de feptembro.M.cccc.Ixxxii. 
per maeftro Adam de Rotuuil Alamano 
ftampatcre excellence? co difpefa del 
magnificho {ignore Lodouicho 
Torto: fitdelli fpedtabili Iio 
mini Ser Dominicho de 
Montorio: fit de Ser 
Lodouicho de Ca/ 
mi Uis de Afculo 
ciptadino de 
Aquila. 
LAVS DEO AMEN: OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
47 
nifico messier Luca Moro dignissimo legotenente de la patria, 
finida a di ultimo de Luio. 1484. Quarto, 107 leaves. 
Owing to a queer jumble of numerals (Mccccylvj) in a colophon to an 
edition of the " Sermones de Sanctis of Leonard de Utino," certain writers 
have claimed that it was printed at Udine in 1446. This is about as tenable 
as are many other claims in relation to the invention of printing which 
have grown out of the vanity of locality. 
SIENA. 
Lectura clarissimi doctoris Pauli de Castro in sextum Codicis 
.... Impressumque .... Senis per Magistrum Henricum 
de colonia et socios Anno salutis, m. cccc. lxxxiiii, xii KI. 
Augusti. Folio. 
This Henry of Cologne must have been the chief of the vagabond 
printers. According to Panzer, he was at Brescia in 1474, '5, and '6; 
Bologna, 1477, '8, and '9, 1480, T, '2, '3, '4, '5, and '6 ; at Siena, 1484, '5, '6, 
and '7 ; Lucca, 1490 and T ; Nozano, 1491; and Urbino, 1493. 
1484 
SONCINO. 
Berachoth, sive Tractatus talmudicus de benedictionibus . . . . 
1484. Folio. 
Soncino is justly celebrated in the annals of early printing for the beauty 
of the Hebrew books which came from the presses of its Jewish printers. 
It seems that none but persons of that race printed in that town during the 
fifteenth century. Panzer mentions a work of Rabbi Jacob Ben Ascher, 
dated 1481 ; but subsequent writers give the date of 1484 as that of the 
first book issued from a press in that town. The printers of this work, and 
the first at Soncino, were Joshua Solomon and Israel Nathan, two persons 
instead of one, as asserted by Cotton, who says that the printer was "Joshua 
Solomon ben Israel Nathan." 
1484 48 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
PESCIA. 
La Confessione di S. Bernardino da Siena volgare divisa in 
dodici regole. [Colophon:] In Pescia per M. Francesco Cenni 
Fiorentino 1485 a di ultimo di Febbrajo. Quarto. 
Cenni probably belonged to the Florentine family, which first introduced 
the art of printing into their native city. 
1485 
VERCELLI. 
Nicolai de Auxmo Suppiementum Summae Pisanellae. [Colo- 
phon (at end of the canones poenitentiales}:] Impressum est 
hoc opusculum Vercellis per Jacobinum de Suico de Sancto 
Germano, m. cccc. lxxxv, die xxvii octob. Octavo. 
This printer was a native of Vercelli, who fell into the vagabond habits of 
many of his craft. We find him at his native village in 1485 ; Chiavasco i486; 
Turin 1487, '88, '90, '91, '94, and '97; Lyons 1496 and '97; and at 
Venice 1498. 
1485 
CHIAVASCO or CHIVASSO. 
Angelus de Clavasio summa Angelica de Casibus Conscientiae. 
[Colophon:] Jacobinus de Suigo de sancto Germano huius 
impressionis auctor ad lectorem .... Impressum hoc opus 
Clavassii anno .... mcccc. octuagesimo sexto, tertio idus 
maii, feliciter imperatibus Innocentio octavo Pontifice Maximo et 
Karolo illustrissimo duce Sabaudie .... Quarto. 
This is the only book printed in this village during the fifteenth century. 
A copy is in the author's collection. See plate No. 18. 
i486 CHIVASCO OR CHIVASSO. . .i486. 
Plate No. 18. 
Ouomodo reuocatur maumiflio »9?.,pp 
teromneecaufaeingrattmdinie ex qbii© 
reuocatur bonatto.be qutbue.e.bonatio. 
t6.4z.in au^.vt libezi be cetcro.$.illud. 
2 quo biffert mdumtifu© ab ecclefia. a 
manumiflb a pziuato.p?.# pzimo quia 
pter opera© non pzeftita© reuocaturi fer 
uitutem.pt.iz.q.i.biaconi.fecudinatfio.vt 
SC.be hbc. cau.Lfolo. ^ccundo quia fill) 
^ornm remanent obnoxij ecclefte fuepa* 
trone.ix.q.i.oe libertisifed ahj nonX.be 
libe.c eoiujlt.l.i.c.zXertio quiaferui cc 
cleftepoftunt manumitticumbocq? non 
poffit after i ccdefte.fua bona reltnque: 
ftuq^.c.i.t.5. 
t (TBttrum in manumiflide poflit bomtu© 
aliq6 feruitium fpirituale ftbi imp outre, 
puta g» ftbibicatboia© z buiufmodi.^^ 
g> frc.ua qj ft feruare noluerit etum ft oz* 
dinatu© fuerit begradet.c piiftme feruitij 
it fubiciaftcmullu© be ferm© no oz. 
S Onqmbua conftftitiu© patronatu©.p?. 
vt no.in.l.fiX.be bo.lib.in glo.f.p. vtn 
.pponatturpe actoenuaut excepticnejad 
uerfu© patromi. Secundo reuerenud ei 
bebet tain tn faciendo gp non factcdoXer 
no pzeftare bebet ei alimenta ft alias non 
babei. Quarto patronu© babet iu© rcuo* 
candi euj in fcruitute ratioe offenfe comif 
fe contra ipfum. Quinto patronu© babet 
iu© fuccedendi hberto.felnde tenetur liber 
tu© ei relmqucre legitimaj que e.tertta p© 
fuop bono? ft in bout© babet pluftp cctii 
aureo©:z nullo© libero© babet cu bcedit: 
ft vero minus ® centfi aurcos babet in ft> 
ftantianon tenetur ei ©liquid relinqncre^ 
g? ft momm© fuerit ab iteftato nullo Itbezo 
rum relicto fic fuccedetin to turn. Slide ibi 
dem. z infti.be liiccef. Iiberiomm.§. fj no 
ftra conftitutio. 
£f)3ltbeniatid 
.^SXZ^nr biuini.fed cum afpiratioe ftgni 
ficat feiam quadnuiate.vnde verfu©. Set 
refacit matbeftetfed oitnnare mateft©. 
be quo vide.j .Souilegium z fuperftitio. 
i.5.0iuinatio.tlnde tales non bebet ad 
limen akenn© oomu© accedcretalias con 
crcmari oebent.nec aliquis cos fufcipere 
feu pfulercialia© oebentoepoztari z boa 
eoium confifcari., z btulatoz gladio vlto 
re feriri.vt .£. be male, z maul. nullns.L 
nemo.T.l.cnlpa. 
^Q^ltrinionmm p°. 
quidemecom'undio man© t femine iter 
per fona© legttmio© in btuiduam vite pfue 
tuduiem retinen©.z7.q.2.$.i.inftitu.be pa. 
poun pnmc in.4.fcn,oi.z7.be pzefump. 
illud quo® nobte. 
d^trummatrimonium fit facramentmn 1 
noue legie.^.q> matrimoniu pot buplicit 
accipi.aut®mm adeiu© infttiutionc.? fic 
non e facramctu noue legie.qz fmt ante no 
uam lege inftitmuj.alio modo quo adei* 
cffectunuz ftc licet fuerit ante noud legeji 
ftimtnm.non tn babuit rim pferenfti gf aj 
ficut modo in noue lege in qua non e eua* 
cuatumfedpftrmatu.^ fecmgratie caufa 
tiuum. c fic c facramentu noue legts.R&ec 
^ica.iu.4.bi.z6.ar.4.q.2. 
(]^iiid e in ifto facramcto materia c foz x 
ma.^?.fecudum iRicar.vbi.S.eadcm.q.^ 
bum pfpzolatu e materia: x verbnm.fo e 
foima.qz ficut rerbii acceden© ad vcrbuj 
pieceden© qmbicit acciptote in meavx® 
rem c founa buiue.f.bicendo: c ego acci 
pto te in meii virum vet ecomrario.36er* 
in.c.tnanoeoe fpo.vult q> verba fintfot-* 
ma. t pfenfus fit materia. 
Olmdereo-tquidefacramentuinma-' 3 
tFiiiionio.fV.^icar.vbi.G.ara.q^.qjcxpf 
fio confenfue ftue extertoi piunctio eft fa* 
cramentumtm .Iseecouplexque piftud 
facramentum ftgniftcatur.f.caruae quam 
ftgnat z bifpofttiuecat. Sha ell vnio x^i 
z ecclefte quam ftgnat fed non cat. 3^a at 
caritue eft re© tanmm:-t non facramentu» 
obligato vero interioi per mutuu pfenfuj 
expzclTa ftue coniunctio exterio: eft ree 
facramentum. 
(jEftrum gratia gratum factene conferatur 4 
in boc facramemo^.Hstcar.vbi.S.g; ftc* 
ft bigne contrabant exotuina inftituuoe. 
(,r>2ltnni0niumij% 
^•-^quomodo contrabitur bic q> ad te* 
gitime contrabcndum.oebent fieri bana: 
z quomodo publice contrabendueft .be 
quo vide.©. Clnndclhnu. 
OFerquid pbttur.p?.q>p mumupfefuj f 
verbi© cxp:eflum.c.tua no© oc fpo. 
(J^trum fine mutuo confenfu ammozuj 2 
poflit contrabi matrmionm;.^. fecundii 
comnniter £beolcgo© cp quo ad beu? z 
veritotemnon poteft cflematrimonmnu 
ft non ambo confenttanuftmul oicanttaur 
factant quicqutd voluennt ab cxtra.zi.q. 
x.fuffictat.ltcet ccckfta ahud ludicet. vti,c. 
iaquuocfpon. 
SimiTr non tenetur eum fcqui ft eft vagi' 
bundus.fm glo.in.b.c. vnaqucqj.nifi fete© 
cum usgabundum pxit eum co.quta fic tc' 
netur.K§oc tommlimito ucruj.quando ex 
ca bonefta.ucl tranffert bomicihum.uet eft 
uagabundua.Secu© ft ex ca inbonefta* nV 
ft udlet cam trabere ad peccatum ucltmi* 
neret ftbi periculum uite.quia fic non tene 
retur eum fcqui.ut fentit glo.m.b.c. ft quia 
<§acit.l.q> nift.ffoeoper.lib.ubi pj q? liber 
tus non tenetur fequibnin nagabuudu ad 
preftandumei opera© .vide m.c.bc ilhs-o 
fpcmf 
J - ^ocrilW® 
_ JiJbotecauWe'W1'w- 
J IRonia'*'"1^' 
" ~Strio'?Md"lfab- 
1. prop lie dltriflitia 6 bo 
Z4LL UUno alteriu© no ex eo qb 
file babet.fed ex eo qo ftbi oecii bi 
citpbs t.etbtcozum. iCtftcftiftejdtiocir* 
ca bona bonefta eft laudibili© Fm illud p:i 
me coun.i4Xmulamtm car if mat a melio * 
ra.Siueroeftoe tempozalib'is.ftcpot ec 
ciimpeccato ftcutanaricia.Otautem qm© 
bolet be bono alrcriu© qma enm exccdit i 
tahbu© bonis.ftc eft muidia.Sccfpitur cad 
altquando jelns pzo feruoze feu omotone 
biuinecjntatieutinps. 5clu© bomu© me 
comedit me cc.i£t tfte jciu© pollremo bic 
nt© ifimqui mead prefataj angclicamfnm 
mam componendamcoegtr. ad Undent 
bommi noftri ^cfu rpecm eft bono: -t gio 
ria in feed© fcdilozam-Smen. ILau© beo. 
(JjLaue 3efn xpo.virgmi matri Hbarie beat® 
patri noftro fancto -^ranctfco. fancto Se* 
rapb'co iConaucnmrc boctozi ceterif® 
bet electiaXrplicit opus. 
* 
^mio >J< 
Mcobinu© be fuigo be fancto Germano bu 
iuaimprcfliom© auctoz ad leaozem. 
l&nmano Sngelica© qcuqj audire loqudaa. 
0re cupi©:prefen© perlcge lectoz opu©» 
I5ic facro© canoncs J^ic c ciuilia iura. 
©ic fancte inuemes iUlligioni© ope©. 
Jflbaximamufto^ qSvixbobat antelibzozuj. 
Sarcinand Angelica bat tibiftimma bieuis* 
Bngelu© ell auctoz.Sacri beetle oidim© tgcns 
Scrapbicuc tante'^elligioni© bonoo. 
Siictozem at® opus imprefliimfcltcia bona 
Clanaflin a tn lit terra beat© viro. 
THec iCarleta minus geii© felix vndc creatue. 
Qngelu© Slngelicio bignue adrift cbozis 
^mprefllis boo opus Clauafly Simo Cbziftta 
ncfalmis.ilb.cccc.octuagcfimo fexto tcr» 
no idusmay.^cliciJer Smpantibue 
noccntio octauo pontificemaximotc IRa* 
rolo Muftdftimo. buce Quito fabaudte pc 
demomaneq? rcgionis. OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
49 
VOGHERA. 
Alexandri de Imola Postillae ad Bartholum. [Colophon:] 
Jacobus de Sancto Nazario impensa Domini Augustini Dutheri; 
Dominique Andreae Sillae impressu diligentissime in lucem edidit 
Viqueriae Kal. Junii m. cccc. lxxxvi. Folio. 
No other book is known to have been printed at Voghera before the end 
of the fifteenth century. In 1489 we find this printer at Milan. 
i486 
CASAL MAGGIORE. 
Machasor sen compendium precum pro synagogis Italicis, cui 
Cantic. cantic., Ruth, Threni et Ecclesiastes miscentur. [Colo- 
phon:] Fuit autem initium aedificii hujus libri per nos soninates in 
urbe soncini mense Tisri anno cc xlvi sexti millenarii [Sept. 1485] 
eumque absoluimus hie casale majori feria 11, hebdomadae, die 
xx mensis Elul anno quinquies millesimo ducentesimo quad- 
ragesimo sexto a creatione mundi [Aug. i486]. 2 parts, folio, 
319 leaves. 
Two of the Hebrew printers of Soncino established the only press at 
Casal Maggiore during the fifteenth century, and issued this one book. 
i486 
GAETA. 
Formulario di epistole vulgare missive et responsive . . . . 
composto per Cristophoro Landini citadino di Firenze . . . . 
1487 50 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
[Colophon:] Explicit Formulario .... Impresso nella 
alma et inclyta cita de Gayeta per mi. A. F. m cccc lxxxvii. 
Quarto. 
Andre Fritag, a German, was the first printer at Gaeta. We find him 
again at Rome in 1492, '93, and '96. 
VITERBO. 
Maurus Servius Honoratus. Libri duo, de ultimarum Sylla- 
barum Natura et de centum Metrorum Generibus . . . . 
Viterbo, m. cccc. lxxxviii, lanuarii xu. Octavo. 
I have not been able to discover even a suggestion concerning the 
name of the printer of this book, which is the only one issued at Viterbo 
before the year 1501. 
1488 
GRADISCA. 
Il Testamento di Giorgio Sommariva, Cavalier Veronese, in 
verso .... Gradisca, 1488. Twelvemo. 
Panzer and Hain describe this work, but do not refer to its printer, and 
I have not been able to ascertain that he has been named by other 
bibliographers. 
1488 
PORTESIO. 
Statuta Civilia Comunitatis ripperiae Benacensis. [Colophon :] 
Actum Portesii opera Bartholomei Zanni impressoris: et im- 
pensa Angeli cozalii dictae comunitatis riperiae Syndici: Serenis- 
1489 OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
51 
simo Venetoru Duce Augustino barbadico: .... Cceptum 
vero fuit anno .... millesimo quadringentesimo octuagesimo 
nono : idibus octobris : et perfectum anno proxime sequenti xm. 
Kalendas Septembris .... Folio, 88 leaves. 
Bar, de Zannis was a printer at Venice from i486 to 1500. It seems he 
brought out this one book at Portesio at the request of the Syndic of 
that place. 
NOZANO. 
Turretini Pauli disputatio Juris. [Colophon:] Impressa est 
hec solemnis Disputatio apud Nozanum Lucensis agri Cas- 
tellum . . . Anno salutis m. cccc. xci. Magistro Henrico de 
Colonia et Henrico de Harlem Impressionis auctore . . . . 
Folio. 
This is the only known book printed at Nozano during the fifteenth 
century. Henry, of Harlem, was at Bologna 1482, '85, '87, and '88 ; 
Venice, 1483 ; Siena, 1488, '90, '91, '92, '93, '94, '95, and '99 ; and at Lucca 
and Nozano in 1491. 
i49i 
URBINO. 
Tancredus de Corneto. Summa quaestionum compendiosa. 
[Colophon:] Impressum Urbini per magistrum Henricum de 
colonia Imperante inclito duce Guido Ubaldo cu$ Illustri Domino 
Octauiano Ubaldino in nobili domo galloru^ in valle bona anno 
.... m. cccc. lxxxxiii, die xv mensis maii. Folio, 75 leaves. 
Marchand, Panzer, Santander, and Hain give the date of 1481 as that of 
the first printing at Urbino. Several of the later bibliographers have 
designated 1493 as the correct year. Acting upon the theory that this 
change of opinion must have been based upon the discovery of some new 
facts, and for the purposes of this list, the latest conclusions are adopted. 
1493 52 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
ACQUI. 
Opus Alexandri grammatici pro eruditione puerorum. [Colo- 
phon :] Doctrinale Alexandri Galli, vulgo de Villa Dei, 
grammatici, feliciter explicit .... Anno Domini, 1493. 
Folio, 30 leaves. 
This is the only known book issued at this place during the fifteenth 
century. The name of its printer is not known. 
1493 
SCANDIANO. 
Appiani Alexandrini Sophiste Historia. [Colophon:] Dili- 
gentis ac ingeniosi calcographi Peregrini Pasquali .... cura 
haec Candidi ex Appiano .... traductio Scandiani Camillo 
Bojardo Comite impressa est anno .... m. cccclcxv. iiii 
Iduum lanuarii. Folio. 
Here we have another puzzling misprint of a date. Several authors 
have asserted that 1475 was the year intended, while others contend for 
1495 ; the latter interpretation is probably correct. Pasquali was at 
Venice and Treviso before he went to Scandiano. A copy is in the 
collection of the author. See plate No. 19. 
1495 
FORLI. 
Ferettvs (Nicolaus). De Elegantia linguae latinae in epistolis et 
orationibus componendis servanda praecepta. [Colophon:] 
Opera et impesa Pauli guarini de guarinis Foroliuiensis et 
loanis lacobi de Benedictis Bononiensis Impressoris et socii: 
hoc opus est Impressum Forliuii: . . . . anno .... m. cccc. 
lxxxxv. xvi. Kledas Maii. Quarto, 30 leaves. 
Another edition of this work was printed at Forli in the same year, but 
without the day of the month being mentioned in the colophon. 
1495 SCANDIANO . . . 1495. 
Plate No. 19. 
LIBER 
Mors Pgar 
nads, 
C«Cadar 
Mithridatis,. 
pgamcn^ 
/blusegregiejpuguanstandefaudus cxdndus eft quinquagefimuetads 
ages annu cu Bofphoriregnu p.v.&.x.annosceuiftet' In hue igi^ moda 
Pharnaces regno«deddit:quod,C.Ca:far Mithridati Pergamcno tradidit: 
ob id q? ftrenue cu illo in Aegypto depugnalkt; nuc uero domeftica Ko 
manis regna pod SC Bythinix efteda funuad quf fingulis annis ptor nut 
tit^Cacfar qux Popeius tradidiffet cu iis q accepiflet ab eo quxftus q? co 
tra fecum Pompeio gefliflent bejjum fibi afciuit: excepto eo quod coma 
nis facris feruabatunquod ab Archelao ad Nicomedem cranftulit.Ea aero 
no multp poft:6C hxc ipfa«Caius Cadar SC.Marcus Antonius haben 
datradidereiquxabAuguftodemu Cadaread ptoru cura tranftata lunt 
cu< Aegyptu recepiffet modica deinceps occafide ad fingulos iqdigcndb^ 
Romais Jtaq? principatu coy Mithndadco bello ad potum ufcp huxinu: 
SC ad Syrtes fupra Aegyptu jfluuiumq? Euphratem ad hiberos SC hercu 
leas colunas propagate rice h^c uidoria magna:SC imperator Pompeius 
mento magnus appellari debuitdpfis aut LibAa tenetibus: qup'ad Cyre 
nes ufcp pertinet Cyrene Apion lagiony rexlgenere nothus ex feeders illif 
tradidit* Aegypteis in circuitu marisxquod interius e nundu iljfs cellit* 
Mi Antonius 
AuguftusXL 
Potus^cuxius 
.Syncs, 
Cyrene, 
Apion rex La 
ginorum 
Diligedszac ingemofi Calchographi Peregrin! Pafqua 
li exadiffima:tum opera:tum cura hxc candidi ex Ap 
piao hiftorico SC Sophifta tradudio Scadiani Camillo 
Boiardo Comite Imprcffa eft Anno a natali Chrifti, 
I M*CCCCLCX V JIILldau lanuarm 
ABCDEFGHIKLMN, Ocs funttemiprxter N quieft quaternus. OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
53 
BARCO. 
Selicoth : seu preces pro remissione peccatorum. [Colophon:] 
Hodie feria V. die VIII, mensis Tisri [Oct. and Nov.] anni 
cclvii. Sexti millenarii [a.d. 1497], absolvimus, Deo dante, 
Selicoth juxta ordinem .... fuit autem finis earum hie Barci 
quod est in provincia Brixiana per manum minimi typographorum 
Gersom filii sapientis R. Mosis fel. mem. qui appellatur ger- 
manice Mentzlen Sontzin, quern Deus custodiat .... Folio. 
This is the only book known to have been issued from a press at Barco 
during the fifteenth century. These printers were two Hebrews, who had 
previously exercised their art at Soncino. 
1497 
CARM AGNOLA. 
Facini Tiberg^e in Alexandrum de villa dei interpretatio . . . . 
Carmagnolae. 1497. 
The brief notices of the existence of this work are seemingly founded 
upon tradition rather than upon personal observation. I cannot ascertain 
that any of the bibliographers who describe it ever saw a copy. No other 
book is mentioned as having been printed at Carmagnola before the year 
1501. 
1497 BOHEMIA. 
PI LSEN. 
Trojanska Historie : Tuto se pocina pnedmluwa dospeleho 
Gwidona z Columny Mezanske na kroniku Trojansku. [Colo- 
phon :] Skonawa se tuto kronika Trojanska o tom slawnem 
meste Trojanskem a o bojech, kterez jsu se staly i o jeho dobyti 
I. 1469 pred prowodem welikonoenim per me Laurentium de 
Tyn Horsi. W. Pizni, 1468. Quarto, 196 leaves. 
There can be no possible doubt about the correctness of this date. A fine 
copy of this work is in the Library of the National Museum at Prague, with 
the date printed in Roman characters. Whether or not it relates to the 
translation of the book or to the completion of its printing, learned Bohe- 
mians who are versed in their language must decide. I incline to the 
belief that it refers to the printer rather than to the translator, and so 
assign to Bohemia the third place among the countries which recognized 
the value and importance of the great discovery. 
1468 56 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
PRAGUE. 
Statuum utraquisticorum articuli in Comitiis Nimburgensibus 
conclusi .... Pragae, 1478. Folio. 
Bohemia, determined upon not being out of the race in which Holland 
and Italy were engaged, also put in a claim to the invention of printing 
with metal types, and designated Paul, of Prague, a writer upon the inven- 
tion, as the inventor, and Gutenberg as his follower, student, or adepte. 
This claim is probably about as well founded as either of the other two. 
Very little, or rather nothing, is known of the first printers of Prague. 
Their names seem to have been Ian Pytlik, Seweryn Kramar, Ian od Capu, 
et Matej od bileho Iwa. 
1478 
WINTERBERG. 
Alberti Magni summa de Sacrosancte Eucharistie sacramento. 
[Colophon:] Impressus in Winterperg per lohannem Alacraw 
Anno domini Millesimo quadringentesimo octuagesimo qrto. 
Sabbato die Sancti Galli Confessoris Folio, 108 leaves. 
Alcraw was one of the first to set up a press at Passau, where, in 1482, he 
used the types with which this book was printed. I have an edition of " St. 
Augustini Summa Soliloquiorum animae ad Deum," issued by this printer 
at Winterberg the same year as the above, with the same types. It may 
have been the first production of his Winterberg press. See plate No. 20 
(page of my book). 
1484 
KUTTENBERG. 
Biblj Ceska Na horach Cutnach, Skrze mne Martina z 
tissnowa, 1489. Folio, 612 leaves. 
This is one of the very rare editions of the Bible of the fifteenth century. 
I know of but one copy, which is in the University Library at Prague. If 
history is truthful, this printer, soon after the completion of this Bible, was 
honored with two degrees from that University, and made Dean of the 
theological faculty, and after issuing one other book, retired from the occu- 
pation of printing in 1497. 
1489 WINTERBERG. . .1484. 
Plate No. 20. 
terio:ex iBuare aut ifta omnia, nifi quia illi'in iWem be/ 
tee^iuntiftiautemafeenduntad vitam. in quam afeendtr 
an^dus. 1 be qua befeendit biabolus? I&uosautem piede 
ftinafti. ipfos ? vocaftt fanctificafti mundafti. vt bignum 
babitaculum fine cue maieftatis. co quibus ? in quibus font 
belicietuefancte 'i munde. 3h quibus tubelectaris? letifiz 
caris ininuentu eozum. babitanscum eis in memo2ia C02U5 
&c ipfi templumfanctum wufunt. quod magnebignitaz 
tiscomendatio eft * felidtasbumaniratis noftre. 
t^uod anima fidelis fit fanctuarium bet 
zT\ 3fe:id)Jdia eni tua creaftinosejenibito per ver 
/ g \ bumtuum.^bedifttnobisratioiiem.quequidem 
111 ratiointdlecwalis.acfpiritua 
JL I r fempcrin motu eft. per quam ipfam anima beco 
raSTquaSrfignafti lumine vultus tui. confecrafti virtu/ 
tern lauacra tut atqj ita capax effects* maieftatis me vt a 
te folo. ? a nullo alio poffic impleti Om ante re babet plez 
num eft befiderium eius. nibil aliud quod befiderewr vl/ 
teriusreftat. ^umautejaliquidaliud befiderocexteriu& 
manifeftum eft quia te non babet inter!us quo babito nibil 
eft quod vkrabefidereturquiamesfumum^ornnebonu5 
I^mdfmonbefideratomnebonu5. reftatvtbefideretali/ 
quid quod non eft omne bonu ergo nec fumum bonu. nec er 
go beu.fedpotiuscreatura. £u aut creawrabefiderat pct 
nuam fame babenq: licet qd befiderarbe creafissdipifcat 
vacua tii remaet. q: nibil e qd (pleatea nifi mad cui9 i ma/ 
gmeecreata. jmpkaautamicosmos. qmbil aliud befide 
rat pterte. fac] eos bignos te. fcos -z imaculatos amicos 
diq oiareputatvtfterco2avtlucrifadattefolu.lxcebtiw 
bo qua boi ptulifti. bic bono: quo eu intoes creafas bono/ 
rificafti. vt admirabile fit nomc mu in vniuerfa terra. 
tn. 
vnigenitapjecojdiOMmmeoium/cfomo?^ 
odilowm meornm. Romine ante te eft: omne Ocllderxu me 
urn geinitus mens atenon eft abfcondims. ^t to bomine 
non auertas fadem mm amplius a me. nee bedines in ira 
a feruo tuo. leaver mifericoidiarum audi eiulamm pupiUi 
cm. t poaige manum optimaj adiutricem. vt me trabat be 
piofundo aquarum. bejacumiferie be Into feds. ne perea 
viuente mifericozdia oculozum m:um. afpidenre clemenz 
tia vifcerum tuo2um fed euadam ad te bominuin beam me 
urn. vt vidcam bi uiti as regni mi. inwear fadem tua fem 
per. ? laudem bicam nomini wo. Nomine qui fads mfrabt 
lie. qmlewm faasco: men> in memoaa wa. quiilluminas 
iuuenruremmeam.necbefpidsfenectutemmeam.fediubi/ 
tare fads omiaoffamea./£treuiuifcercfadsvcaquileca 
nosmeo3.omnis5lo2ia.omnislaus.omms vircus. omnis 
potentixomms magmficetixomnisbeatitudo. ommscle 
lucntia. fit beo patri. filio % fpiritui fancto. '^men. 
i^cpKdLliber ©oliloquiowm Lanett 
Y^u$uftini3lurdij^ m Win 
•ferperg per Jobannem bictum CMla 
craw. canna bomini ajilkfimo qua/ 
bnngenrefimo ocruagcfim oquarto. SWITZERLAND. 
BALE. 
S. Gregorii M. Moralia in librum Job. Beatus gregorius papa 
librum Job, petente sancto Leandro etc. In fine Registri: 
Explicit registrum moraliaum gregorii pape, S. L. S. A. 
(Balileae, Bertholdus Ruppel, circ 1468.) Folio, 48 lines, 
421 leaves. 
In the National Library at Paris there is a copy of this work, printed with 
the well-known characters of this printer, which contains a note stating 
that it was purchased in 1468 by Joseph de Vegers, a priest of the Church 
of St. Hilary, at Mentz. I have examined this note, and am inclined to 
admit its truthfulness, which leads me to believe that this work was issued 
from a press at Bale as early as 1468. I therefore give it the first place in 
the history of printing in that city. We first hear of this printer as Berthold 
von Hanau, November 6, 1455, when the trial took place between Guten- 
berg and Fust in the convent of the bare-footed friars at Mentz, where he 
appeared as a friend, or assistant, of Gutenberg. He seems to have been 
traced from Mentz to Strasburg, and thence to Bale, but the dates of his 
migrations have not been ascertained. 
At the time the work was issued from the press, Bale was independent, 
and governed by a few patrician families and a bishop, and did not join the 
i468(?) 58 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
Swiss confederation until 1501. For many years it had been a close ally 
of the towns in that country which were engaged in pushing the Reforma- 
tion; and as early as 1444 the battle of St. Jacob, which has always been 
considered a Swiss battle, was fought upon its soil. Since for so many years 
it had been Swiss in spirit, I must now, for bibliographical purposes, take 
the liberty of making it so geographically. The catalogue of the Caxton 
exhibition of 1877, issued under the authority of Mr. Bullen of the British 
Museum, I find has taken a similar liberty with the geographical history of 
that city. 
BEROMUNSTER. 
Mammotrectus seu expositio vocabulorum quae in Bibliis occur- 
runt. [Colophon :] Explicit Mamotrectus siue primicerius arte 
inprimendi seu caractarizandi per me Helijam Helize alias de 
Llouffen canonicum Ecclesie ville Beronensis in pago Ergowie 
site absq^ calami exaracione Vigilia sancti Martini Episcopi sub 
Anno .... Millesimo Quadringentesimo Septuagesimo. 
There is some little authority for asserting that Gering, Crantz, and 
Friburger, the first printers in France, were employed at the monastery at 
Beromunster before they went to Paris. The fact seems to be admitted 
that Helyas Helye, alias de Louffen, was a canon at this monastery, under 
whose protection and patronage printing was carried on; and if it is a 
fact, as asserted, that he was over seventy when the first book was issued 
bearing his name, it would give color to the theory that he employed others 
to do the shop-work, and that he had not learned the art himself. Up to this 
time it has not been ascertained who they were. Against a part of this theory 
are the facts that we find Gering, Crantz, and Friburger at Paris in 1470, 
the year of the first book of Beromunster, and that the date of the last book 
issued at that monastery is 1473. It is evident, therefore, if those three 
printers went away, others were left who continued the art of book-making. 
None of the types known to have been used for the first Paris books 
resemble the fonts of Beromunster. There is a copy in the National 
Library at Paris, and another in the City Library at Zurich. 
1470 OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
59 
GENEVA. 
Le livre des sains anges .... compile par frere Frangoys 
eximines . . . [Colophon:] Cy fine le liure des sains anges, 
imprime a Genefve Lan de grace Mil cccc. Lxxviij, le xxiiije iour 
de mars. Folio, 198 leaves. 
The name of Adam Steynschawer appears at Geneva the first time in 
1480. There is no doubt, however, but that he printed three books at 
Geneva in 1478. There is a copy in the National Library, Paris, and a 
second in the University Library, Geneva. 
1478 
PROMENTOUR, or PROMENTHOUX. 
Le Doctrinal de Sapience. [Colophon :] Cy finist le Doctrinal 
de Sapience imprime a Promentour par Maistre Loys Guerbin. 
Lan de grace mil. cccc. Lxxxij. le ij. iour daoust .... Folio, 
104 leaves. 
This is the only Promentour book of the fifteenth century. This Louis 
Cruse, surnamed Garbin, was probably a workman with Steynschawer at 
Geneva, and used the types of his master in printing this book. 
1482 
LAUSANNE. 
Missale in usum Lausannemsem. [Colophon:] Impressa Lau- 
sanne urbe antiquissima impensa arte et industria solertis et in 
geniosi viri Magistri Iohannis Belot insigni civitate Rothomag, 
ortum ducentis : Nulle calami exaratice scilicet quandam arti- 
ficiosa characterizandi ac imprimedi invetioe Missalia Summa 
cum diligentia feliciter finiunt. Anno Salutis nostre m.cccc 
nonagesimotercio Kalendas decembris. Folio, 2 columns, 36 
lines, 235 leaves. 
1493 60 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS. 
There are many statements about this Jean Belot, who, several authorities 
assert, was a native of Rouen and a printer at Lyons, Lausanne, Grenoble, 
and Geneva. It is certain that some one who signed himself J. B., in 1498, 
issued from a press at Geneva a Missal, with characters like those of the 
Missal of Lausanne. This was probably Jean Belot. I have not been able 
to find any testimony to sustain the theory that he ever had presses at 
Lyons and Grenoble. The one described was the only known book of 
Lausanne during the fifteenth century. There is a copy at the National 
Library, Paris. 
TROGEN. 
Cronick vnd History uss den Geschichten der Romern. [Colo- 
phon :] Hie hat ein end die History von den Ssyben wysen 
Meysteren die do gedruckt sind vnd geendet zic clein Troyga, 
in dem jar do man zalt noch Crysty geburt. m. cccc. lxxxxvii. 
Quarto, 63 leaves. 
Very little is known of the first press at this place; only three authors 
mention this work. It has been stated that the Heber collection contained 
a book printed at Trogen as early as 1478. 
1497 
SURSEE, or SURZE. 
Nicolaus Schradin. Chronic dieses Krieges. Chronigk diss 
Kriegs gegen dem Allerdurchliichtigisten hern Romischen 
Konig .... [Colophon:] Gedrugkt vnd volendet inn der 
loblichen Statt Surse im Ergow, vff zinstag vor Sant Anthengan 
tag, im xc [1500] Jar. Quarto, 56 leaves. 
This is the only book known to have been printed at Sursee in the 
fifteenth century. It is exceedingly rare. 
1500 FRANCE. 
PARIS. 
Gasparinus Barzizius Pergamensis. Epistolae. [Colophon:] Foelix 
Epl'a[rum] Gasparini finis .... 
Primos ecce libros, quos hoec industria finxit 
Francorum in terris, aedibus atque tuis. 
Michael, Vdalricus, Martinusq$ magistri 
Hos impresserunt: ac facient alios. 
Quarto, 118 leaves. 
In 1469 Guillaume Fichet and Jean de la Pierre, two professors of 
theology at the Sorbonne, were instrumental in bringing to Paris three 
German printers : Ulrich Gering, a native of Constance, Martin Crantz, 
possibly a native of Mentz, and Michael Friburger, of Colmar. Several 
writers refer to them as having been sent from the Monastery at Bero- 
munster to these professors by their friend Joost de Sillinen, provost of 
1470 62 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
the Chapter at that Abbey. The important fact seems to be well settled 
that they set up a press at the Sorbonne, and finished their first book in 
1470. Gering's career as a printer closed two years before his death, 
which took place in 1510. His two companions abandoned the occupation 
of printing in 1477. Two copies are at the National Library, Paris. 
LYONS. 
Reverendissimi Lotharii dyaconi .... Compendium breve. 
[Colophon:] Lugduni p magistni guillermii regis hujus artis 
ipressorie expertii Bartholomei buyerii dicte ciuitatis 
ciuis iussu et siiptibus ipressus Anno .... m. cccc. Lxxiii. 
Quitodecio Kal. Octobres. Quarto, 82 leaves. 
Buyer, the first printer at Lyons, was a native of that city, and is said to 
have come of a distinguished family. It is not known where, or from whom, 
he learned the art. The early Lyons printers were noted for their many 
illustrated books, and ornamental bindings calculated to attract public atten- 
tion. A copy is in the British Museum. 
U73 
ANGERS. 
Marci Tullii Ciceronis Rhetorica Nova. [Colophon:] Anno 
.... m. cccc. lxxvi die quita mensis febroarii fuit hoc opus 
completum Andegaui, per lohanem de turre atq$ morelli im- 
pressores. Quarto. 
Santander mentions an ordinance of Louis XL, of April 21, 1475, given 
in favor of Conr. Hanequis and Pierre Schoiffer, which points to their having 
had a maker, factor, or agent at Angers; but it is not known that they 
or their agent had any connection with the first printers, who were Jean 
de Turre and Jean Morelli. A copy is at the National Library, Paris. 
1476 OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
63 
TOULOUSE. 
Repetitio solemnis de fide instrumentorum, edita per .... 
Andream Barbatiam, Siculum Messanensem. [Colophon:] 
.... Tholose est impressa, xn Calendas julii m. cccclxxvi, .... 
Quarto, no leaves. 
The earliest name of a printer at Toulouse is that of Jo. Parix de Ale- 
mania, who appears for the first time in 1479. It is not known who printed 
this book of 1476. 
1476 
CHABLIS. 
Le liure des bonnes meurs faict et compose par frere Jacques 
Legrant. [Colophon:] A Chablis Par moy Pierre Lerouge, le 
premier iour dauril lan de grace mil cccc Lxxviij. Folio, 51 
leaves. 
Pierre le Rouge is the only printer known to have had a press at Chablis 
during the fifteenth century. He was established at Paris from 1487 to 
1491. A copy is at the National Library, Paris. 
1478 
VIENNE (DAUPHINfe). 
Spurcissimi Sathan^ litigacionis ifernalisq^ nequicie pocuratoris, 
Cotra genus humanum Coram dfio nostro Jhesu cristo. [Colo- 
phon :] Vienne, per magistrum Johannem solidi huius artis 
impressorie expertum, Anno . . m. cccc. Lxxviij. Quarto, 
14 leaves. 
Nothing is known of this printer, except that his name appears in two 
books issued at Vienne in 1478. A copy is in the National Library, Paris. 
1478 64 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
POITIERS. 
Breviarium Historiale [auctore Landulpho Sagace de Columna.] 
[r. of 8th leaf:] Explicit tabula huius libri pictauis ipressi ppe 
sanctum hilariu. in domo cuiusde viri illustrissimi canonici eiusd' 
ecclesie beatissimi hilarii. Vigilia assuptionis beate marie Anno 
dni m. cccc. lxxix. Quarto, 322 leaves. 
Nothing definite is known of the first printer at this town. Several 
writers have stated that an ancestor of Jean de Marnef, a sixteenth 
century printer, was the first. Santander mentions Joh. Buyer and Guill. 
Bouchet as the only ones at Poitiers during the fifteenth century. There is 
a copy in the National Library, Paris, and another at Poitiers. 
1479 
CAEN. 
Epistole Horath. [Colophon :] Impressum Cadomi per magis- 
tros Jacobum Durandas et Egidiii qui ioue Anno Domini 
Millesimo quadringentesimo octogesimo mense Junio die vero 
sexta ejusdem mensis. Quarto, 40 leaves. 
This is the earliest known dated book of Normandy, and the first edition 
of Horace printed in France. The first printers, Jac. Durandas and Gilles 
Quijone, are described as "artistes passagers et ambulants "-strolling 
printers. There is a copy in the National Library, Paris. 
1480 
ROUGEMONT. 
Fasciculus Temporum. [Colophon :] Chronica que dicitur 
fasciculus temporum edita in alma Vniuersitate Colonie Agrip- 
pinae .... A quodam deuoto Cartusiensi [Wernero 
1481 OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
65 
Rolewinck] finit feliciter .... Cum quibusdam additionibus 
per .... frem Heinricum Virczburg de Vach monachum in 
prioratu rubei mentis, ordinis cluniacen. Sub lodovico gruerie 
comite magnifico anno dni mcccclxxxi Folio. 
French bibliographers do not agree in their statements as to the place of 
printing, nor do they venture any decided opinions concerning the date or 
the name of the printer of this book. Deschamps mentions three abbeys of 
Cluny. One, twelve miles from Macon, the chief of the order founded in the 
year 910; a second, in the diocese of Constance, founded in 1221 ; and a 
third, founded in Paris in 1269. He attributes this book to the second, 
which he claims was situated at Rougemont. The diocese of Constance was 
one of the largest, and contained Swabian, French, Burgundian, and Swiss 
territory, and probably had jurisdiction over this particular Rougemont, 
which is now in the Department of the Cote d'or, not far from the Swiss 
border. I accept the theory of M. Deschamps, having no better to substitute 
in its place. Peignot had probably seen a copy of the work described, and 
to him we are indebted for most of our information concerning it. 
CHARTRES. 
Breviarium ad usum ecclesiae Carnotensis. [Colophon:] Con- 
sumatu adsolutuq^ est hoc psalterium Carnoti anno dni m cccc 
octauogesimo tertio quarto decima die mensis aprilis i domo 
venerabili Canonici mgri Pitri Plume orate pro eo. Quarto, 
356 leaves, 2 columns, 56 lines. 
This title and colophon is from Deschamps, who obtained it from a copy in 
the Mazarine Library. In the "Notice des objets exposes," at the National 
Library in Paris (No. 305 bis), the same book is (probably) mentioned under 
the title of " Missel a 1'usage de Chartres," but the date given is 1482. I 
accept the year of 1483, for the reason that the colophon seems to have 
been copied verbatim from the work described. 
1483 66 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
CHALONS-SUR-MARNE. 
Diurnale ad usum ecclesiae Cathalaunensis. [Colophon:] Hoc 
presens diurnale impressum fuit Cathalauni per Arnulphum 
Bocquillon. impressorem. Anno Domini millesimo quadrigetesimo 
tercio Vicesima quarta mesis julii. Sixteenmo. 
No other book is known to have been printed at Chalons-sur-Marne 
during the fifteenth century. Fragments of another are said to exist, which, 
one or two authors believe, was issued there as early as the one described. 
The authorities at the National Library in Paris, who have under their 
charge the only known copy of this work, have not ventured to express a 
positive opinion concerning its date. 
14^3 
1493 
TROYES. 
Breuiarium secundum Ecclesie Trecensis vsum. [Colophon:] 
Explicit breviariu .... usii bene visum necnon correctu. 
Impressumq[ue] trecis atqz completu vicesimaqnta mesis sep- 
tembris. Anno dfii millesimo quadringentesimo octuagesimo 
tertio. Duodecimo, 355 leaves. 
One author makes printing commence at Troyes as early as 1464; 
another gives the title of a book issued there in 1480. The one described 
is probably the first with a date, and printed by either Pierre or Jehan Le 
Rouge. The National Library at Paris possesses the only copy known. 
1483 
RENNES. 
Coustumes de Bretagne. [Colophon:] Lan de grace mil iiii. 
cccc. quattre vingtz et quatre le xxvie iour de mars deuat pasqz 
.... A estoy paracheue dimprimer ce present volume de 
1484 OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
67 
coustumes correctees .... par maystre nicolas dalier, maistre 
guillaume racine et thoas du tertre aduocat .... par lindustrie 
[et] ouuraige de maistre pierre bellesculee et Josses. Et fut en 
la ville de Renes pres leglise de saint-germain Octavo, 
252 leaves. 
A copy of this rare work, printed by Pierre Bellesculee et Josses, is at the 
National Library, Paris. 
LOUDEAC. 
Le Trespassement Nostre-Dame. [Colophon:] Cy finist . . . . 
imprime au moys de decembre lan mil mic. mi vingts et 
quatre. Quarto, 7 leaves. 
Robin Foucquet and Jehan Crez, the first known disciples of the art at 
Loudeac, are believed to have been the printers of this book. There is a 
copy at the National Library, Paris. 
1484 
TREGUIER, or LANTREGUET. 
Coutumes de Bretagne. [Colophon; at end of the Ist part {les 
coustumesy} Cy finist le texte du corps des coustumes de Bre- 
taingne Emprime en la cite de lantreguer le xvn iour de may, 
la mil imc imv et cinq. [At end of the 2d part {les constitutions'^ 
Cy finissent les costumes d les constitucions establissemens de 
Bretaingne .... Imprimees en la cite de Lantreguer par Ja. 
P. le ime ior de iuing 1'an de grace mil imc imxx & v. Octavo, 
236 leaves. 
1485 68 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
The name of "Ja. P.," the printer of this book, has never been ascertained, 
and no author with whom I am acquainted has speculated upon prob- 
abilities. The name of the person who issued the second book (1499) 
at Treguier was Jehan Calvez. There is a copy of the second at the 
National Library, Paris. 
SALINS. 
Missale secundum usum ecclesiae Bisuntinae. [Colophon :] Divinis 
exactum auspiciis claro Salinensi oppido .... opus clarissi- 
mum caracteribus impensa Joannis de Pratis diligenter correctis. 
Olympiadibus Domini millesimo cccc lxxxv. Folio. 
This very rare work is the only one known to have been issued at Salins 
before the close of the fifteenth century. It is not known that Jean Despres 
(or Desprels) had a press at another place. 
1485 
ABBEVILLE. 
La Somme rurale, compillee par Jehan Boutillier. [Colophon:] 
cy fine la somme rural .... Et imprime en la ville dabbeville 
p pierre gerard lan mil. cccc. Ixxx [et] vi. Folio, 253 leaves. 
In i486 an edition of " La Cite de Dieu Mise en fran^oys par Raoul de 
Praesles " was issued from a press at Abbeville by Jehan Dupre and Pierre 
Gerard. This book has, by several authors, been given the first place in 
the history of printing at that town. M. Claudin maintains that " La 
Somme Rurale " was the first, and that to Gerard must be given the credit 
due to the first printer. He has a copy in his collection. 
i486 OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
69 
ROUEN. 
Chroniques de Normandie. [Colophon:] Cy finissent les cron- 
iques de normedie imprimeez r acoplies a rouen le quatorzieme 
iour de may mil cccc. quatreuingtz -r sept N. D. H. 
Folio, 140 leaves. 
This book was issued by Noel de Harsy, whose initials are placed at the 
end of the colophon. A copy is in the National Library at Paris. Panzer 
and several other authors assign a press to Rouen as early as 1483; but 
the later writers seem to agree upon 1487 as the date of the first book 
from a press in that city. 
1487 
BESANQON. 
Regimen Sanitatis cum tractatu epidemie seu pestiletie .... a 
magistro Arnaldo de villa nova Cathalano. [Colophon:] 
Impressus Bisuntii. Anno dhi millesimo quadringentesimo octua- 
gesimo septimo. Quarto, 83 leaves. 
Nothing definite is known of the first printer in this town. Several writers 
believe it was Jehan Despres, the same who established the first press at 
Salins, while others assert that it was Jean or Francois Comtet. A copy 
is in the National Library, Paris. 
Since writing the above, I have learned from M. Claudin that during a 
visit made by him, in 1882, to the Public Library at Besan^on, he inspected 
a copy of the book above described. At the end of the colophon he found 
the signature of F. Comtet, who has often been named as the printer of this 
work. To the existence of this signature alone we are probably indebted 
for the oft-repeated assertions that its owner was a printer at Besangon. 
Soon after M. Claudin had communicated the result of his examination to 
me, I compared, at the Bibliotheque Nationale, the first books of Besan^on, 
Dole, and Dijon, and ascertained to my own satisfaction that Peter Metlin- 
1487 70 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
ger must have been the first to set up a press in each of these towns. I 
found that the books of Besan^on and Dijon were printed with the same 
fonts of types, and the one of Dole with those of the second size used in 
printing the other two. M. Claudin is of the opinion that Metlinger, before 
he went to France, was a workman with John Amerbach at Bale. See plate 
No. 21. 
ORLEANS. 
Manipulus Curatorum, traslate de lati en fracoys. [Colophon:] 
Cy finist le liure dit Manipulus Curatorum translate de latin en 
francoys par .... Maistre Guis du Mont Rocher . . . . 
Imprime a Orleans par Maistre Mathieu Vivian .... Ian 
mille quatre cens quatre vings et X. le dernier iour de mars. 
Quarto, 244 leaves. 
This is the only book known to have been printed at Orleans before the 
year 1500. A copy is in the National Library, Paris. 
1490 
GRENOBLE. 
Decisiones Guidonis Pape. [Colophon :] Hoc opus decisionu 
excellentissimi parlameti dalph. fuit Gracianopoli per Stephanu 
foreti .... ante ecclesiam sancte clare impressum et finitu 
die penultima mensP Aprilis. Anno Dni mm° cccc. lxxxx. 
I. D. V. Folio, 400 leaves. 
At least one author has asserted a belief that a printing-press was in 
operation at Grenoble as early as 1489; but it is certain that up to this 
time no book of that town with a date earlier than 1490 has been 
discovered. 
U9O BESANCJON . . . 1487- 
Plate No. 21. 
49c3tcrniffaeft 
kge.vbipopnluo ifraditicus licentiatuf 
a regecito reuerti confucnirad pzopzia* 
Jtcm ite mifla eft fa cbxiftno.^ mi^a P 
befunctis bicirur^equiefcantin pace 7 
optatur cis requies eterna^^ bic^t pfat 
peptics in bielaudem bid tibi. pzopter 
qb ecclefia conhituitfeptem bozasbice/ 
bas vel laudes.^pzimatertiamferta no 
Dam vefperascompletoziuyimatutinaf 
SOatntinaleolficmm pxoptercarnet bo/ 
tnandam Tpxo pfalterio legendo a fanett 
patribus inftitutum efl^uia ficut bipt 
Ccctjgrq* Vigilia ocnlozu> tabdcitcaro* 
laiides ad ternptationesbiabolirepel/ 
lendas.^nde3ffa^rv].J£rpcrgifcinnni 
7 landate qui babitarisin pnluere. quia 
roe^Jtem ad coxonam gtoxie obtincn 
bam3npa illud. l^on fit vobis vannm 
furgereantelucem.quia pxomifit boon/ 
nuscozonam vigilantibns.pzimam bici 
inus.quia tuncofculatus fuit bominus 
a5uda.tcrtiam quia tunc Unguis iudeo 
rum mozti fuitadindicatus^tem i bqza 
tenia fpirituflanctus ad apo ft befcendit 
^indecuntatecdefia^bum boxa cuncris 
terria»Sepam bicinAquiatucfaitcru/ 
dfipjs>iQonabicimus.qniatnnc emifit 
fpiritum.^efperaa.quia tunc bominus 
bepofitusfaitbecruceXompletoziunk 
quia tunepofimm fuit cozpus ebzifti i le> 
pnkbzo. ^tnotandumq? condgitpeo 
care oze coxde 7 opere. Jdeo trib9 modis 
biuerfisincipiuntur bozematutinep bo 
minelabia.7 completoxmm.p connerte 
no&alie vero per bens in adiutoxium.bo 
mine labia mea aperies contra peccatum 
ozis bidtur.beus in adiutozium contra 
peccatum operisXonuerte nos' ptrapec 
catum cozdis.i quiain peccato cozdis 7 
ozia eftaliquidoperisadco per omsbo' 
ras biei bicitur bens in admtozitnn.CDo 
naebi vero biamt mmatutims pu9,be? 
in adiutozmm,? poffea bonne labia mea 
mea apeneo4quia fineauplio bei nee cox 
nee labia ad eiuslaudem pofliint aperiri 
Jo.rv.gnneme nil poteftie facere. bym 
nusfignificat laudem.pfalmus bonam 
iSiuinam operationem.antipbona cba 
ritatis copulanncapitu him ejboztatioej; 
bomopcri0,rcfponfomim bonum opus* 
verficulusfructus boni operis.Ozo mife 
ricoxdiam bei Ggnificatqpceditrfubfe/ 
quitur bominem in bonis eperibus* 
jfinitfpccnlnm ecdefie vna cum alqs tra 
ctatibus^mpxdTum ®ifuntq\ Anno 
bomini£9ilefimo quadringentriimo oc 
tuagefimo feptimo.pzima biemartq^ OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
71 
DOLE. 
Les Ordonnances du Roy Louys XIe, pour la comte de Bour- 
gongne .... imprime a Dole le premier mai 1490, chez 
Pierre Metlinger. Quarto. 
In 1492 a second book, a work of Joh. Heberling, was issued from a 
press at Dole, which has been attributed to Metlinger, who may have 
returned to that city from Dijon, finished this book, and then ended his 
career as a printer. 
1490 
GOUPILLIERES. 
Heures de Goupilleres. Les presetes Heures furent iprimees a 
Goupilleres le viiie iour de may lan mil quatre cent quatre vingts 
[et] onze: par honorable home messire Michel adrieu prestre. 
Octavo. 
The National Library at Paris possesses, in a fragmentary condition, the 
only known copy of this book. One author has asserted as his belief that 
a little personal vanity on the part of Michel Andrieu, pretre, led him to 
have this work printed in some other place, and to attach his name to it in 
such a manner as would leave the reader to infer that he was the printer. 
1491 
ANGOULEME. 
Auctores octo continetes libros videlicet Cathonem Facetum 
Theodolum de conteptu mundi. Floretum Alanum de parabolis 
Fabulas esopi Thobiam. [Colophon :] Felix libello[rum]. finis 
quos auctores vulgo appellat correcto[rum] impresso[rum] qj 
engolisme die xvij. mensis Maii. Anno dni mcccclxxxxj. 
Quarto. 
The name of the printer of this book is unknown. A copy is in the 
National Library, Paris. 
1491 72 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
DIJON. 
Collectio privilegiorum ordinis cisterciensis. [Colophon:] 
Opera .... dni lohanis abbatis cistercij .... hoc opus 
.... emedatissime [et] integerrime impressum Diuione p 
magistru Petru Metlinger Alemanu. Anno dni M. CCCC. 
nonagesimo primo iiij Nonas Iulias .... Quarto, 197 leaves. 
No other printer than Metlinger is known to have had a press at Dijon 
during the fifteenth century. There is a copy in the National Library, 
Paris, and another in the collection of the author. See plate No. 22. 
1491 
LANTENAC. 
Le Doctrinal des nouuelles mariees. [Colophon:] Imprime it 
Lantenac, le cincquiesme iour doctobre lan mil quatre cens 
quatre vigns XL Jehan Cres. Quarto, 6 leaves. 
This exceedingly rare book is the only one known to have been issued 
at Lantenac in the fifteenth century. Jean Cres was, without doubt, the 
same who assisted in establishing the first press at Loudeac. 
1491 
TOURS. 
Breviaire de Tours. [Colophon:] Ad laudem dei omnipotetis 
eiusq2 intemerate genitricis totiusq2 curie celestis. Hoc opus 
ad usum insignis ecclesie patriarchalis Beatissimi martini turonen. 
Exaratum elaboratumq^ est ppulchre ac artificiose turonis per 
Symonem pourcelet eiusde civitatis oriundu. In intersignio 
1493 DIJON . . . 1491. 
Plate No. 22. 
femus feruo# od. 
/My I $d futura rdmemonam. 
I Sd frueme vberes quos ciftercieft ozdo in 
I agro militantis cccfie plan tat7 oettera ooz 
rJ 9 mimvelutarborbona^dudtbactenuset 
jpducit/coftderarionis noftre oculos e^ren z 
^**7^*^^ dentes apftci fauons pfidiu fibi liberer im^ 
</ partimur/ ? in bis que folidatione ftams/ 
necnonperpetuapacem? tranquillitat^ dufdem concernunt 
nosgratiofos tfauozabilesexbibcmus. Cum itacp ficut ad 
apoftolamfnoftri puenit auditu/ozdini dfteraenft pzefato/ ac ( 
tlliusmonaftcms/perfonis/at^locismagnapericulofe oefo ) 
htionis oifpendia iminere nofcanf/er co quia nonulli pzetep c 
mquamnda htteraru apoftolicaru etiam ad vacatura fe extez / 
denriu in oictis monafterijs/atep locis pzedei z pzedTe pzefuz \ 
munt JRos ne per boc noftre cofcienrie ferenitas remanea t in 
tranquilla/tolm mrbationil materias ab code ozdine ^pcllc^ 
re/pmiftifcpfcandalistincouenientus quanta nobis ep alto 
pmittimrobuiare/necnocircaboc falubze remediu adbtbere 
cupien/mbm <ppzio nbnadalidiius nobis fup boc oblate pez 
^moms inftentia/fed ejc certa noftra feienria z apoftolice fedis 
) ptatis plenimdine/ftamimVnoftre^ interims fuifle z dfc oez 
i claramus.lRecno boru fericconcedim<,q' nulla p nos out Cede 
npneam/feu noftra vdipft^/aut alia quauis auctozitate/in ge 
nere velin fpecie/fub dbufuis fozmis aut verbozu crpzdliotu 
bue/z eft quibufeft^ etia mdiuidualiu/r alia rft oerogatoziap 
daufularu/cria talifi O' illisp queuisalia apfica/lirteras/pzlui 
\c^!z indulta ipfis etia fignanter fpecifice z expzdfe oerogaz 
tia mime ocrogatu fui^e/vd dfe cenfeatur/ feu oerogari non 
poflit/vim z effcctu babentibus/ceterift^ dfeemi pfaitift pzcz 
iudidalibus claufulis ac oecreris irritantib^quibufuis pfonis 
cu tii feftep ftatue/gradus/mgnttaris/ozdinis/ vd coditionis/ 
end ft fancte iRomaft ecclefte cardinales/aut fedis apftce offici 
alcs/feuepi/autarterfozdinisabbates/etiam mom tfcietia 
ftfib7fcuadregu/fncipft/vclplatop quozftlibj fiqplicatione/ 
Generate tuft eoUegiumtp virtutu current itinera 
i^loziofa Virgo cbziftiferazad faluris pducas bzauift. 
^mcn 
^pera t fpefs Ifteucrediftimi in cbzifto pfis z onitoni 
bams abbatis Ciftercy facre tbeologieedmM,pfeftbzif:ad om 
mum Cui facratidinn ozdinis fihozu confolarionem rpfeamn/ 
boc opus pint in fummozft pontiftcum pziuilegiozft/qmb9 Diez 
mo facer ozdo Ciftet cleft ampliflimecotra omnes intimae t in 
fulmstpziuilegiams eft tmunims:cmedatiffimc t inregenv 
meimpzdTum t^iiwnc p ^trft dbetlinger 2Uem5 
nu*^nno dui 4b.cccc.nonageftmopzimo.iiij.lRonas3ulias» 
^init ^diciter, 
^Xonradne Uconton^^ulbzon beniuolo lectozi £a£ 
Clnifquizes accipiez iftutn qui foztelibellum. 
^zdmis cjrimij quifquis amatoz odes, 
•gber legc:que fucrant ignotis condira cba ms: 
Uectacp conrinuo pcctqzc voluc tuo. 
Ibic time ozdo facertpcelfo munere fulget. 
Ibic ma Ubertaotreligioins bon os* 
Jnuenies quantos pzo re ejc baufcrc labozes. 
i^lui rib i Cunt vera fedulitate patres. 
quis ertt moueat qui fozfan pzdiM arris 
Ze pzemat infidijsiarmaq? iniqua fact. 
f5]rcipe plumb atis celer bunett frangito bullis. 
iRe rimers: vinccemotn tibi iura fauetm 
Mpice pontiftces fumostregefep oucefcp 
i&ui penitus pzeftant libera colla tibi. 
tereCquam longo tenuifti tempons vfu) 
Xaberrate ma tfubdir^ vfq? oco. 
£t ft itifta pzecomonitufm attenderenoftros 
'iRon ocdigneris:que rogo pauca:taic* OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
73 
pellicani comorantem. anno gratie dni millesimo quadringentesimo 
nonagesimotercio. Die vero decima mensis Februarii. Deo 
GRATIAS. Octavo. 
A book with an undoubted spurious date of 1467 has been attributed to 
Tours, and a Missale Turonense of 1485 has, by several writers, been as- 
signed to that place. M. Claudin is of the opinion that this latter work was 
printed at Paris by Jean Dupre, while others believe it came from the press 
of Martin Morin at Rouen. An edition of the Miracles of St. Martin, of 
1496, has for a long time been accepted as the first book with a date printed 
in that city. A copy of this Breviaire is said to exist in the possession of a 
citizen of Tours. 
MACON. 
Diurnale Matisconense. [Colophon :] Explicit compendia diurni 
scd'm ordinem ecclesie sancti Vincetij Matisconesis .... im- 
pressum, in ciuitate Matisconesi. per Michaelem Vensler de 
Basilea. Impesis honesti viri Mercator Matiscon. 
-Anno dni. m. cccc. Lxxxxiij. Sexto Idas Marcij. Octavo, 
390 pages. 
No other book is known to have been issued at Macon before the year 
1501. Wensler appears again this year, at Cluny, as its first printer. A copy 
is in the National Library, Paris. 
1493 
NANTES. 
Jehan Meschinot. Cy comence le liure appelle les lunettes des 
princes auecques aulcunes balades de plusieurs matieres coposees 
par feu Jeha meschinot, seigneur de mortiers .... [Colo- 
1493 74 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
phon:] Imprime a Nantes le xv iour dapuril en lan Mil cccc. 
iiiixx et xiii, par Estienne Larcher imprimeur et libraire a present 
demourant a Nates en la rue des Carmes pres les changes. 2 
parts, quarto, no leaves. 
Larcher had the only press at Nantes during the fifteenth century. A 
copy is at the National Library, Paris. 
CLUNY. 
Missale Cluniacense. [Colophon:] Reuerendissimus . . . . 
Dominus Jacobus de Amboysia abbas - praesens Missale 
ordinare fecit. Quod tandem industriosus ingeniosusque vir 
magister Michael Wensler, civis Basiliensis, plus affectu de- 
votionis quam lucrandi causa, impressit in Cluniaco, anno Domini 
millesimo quadringentesimo nonagesimo tertio, die nona mensis 
julii. Folio. 
This is the only book known to have been printed at Cluny in the fifteenth 
century. Michael Wensler stands third on the list of printers at Bale. A 
copy is at the National Library, Paris. 
1493 
LIMOGES. 
Breviarium ad usum ecclesiae Lemovicensis .... Impressum in 
Castro Lemovicensi per Johannem Berton. 1495. 2 parts, 
octavo. 
Jean Berton was the only printer at Limoges during the fifteenth century, 
and this is the only book known to have been issued from his press. A 
copy is at the National Library, Paris. 
1495 AVIGNON . . . 1497. 
Plate No. 23. 
ptocula bomo opulefcunt indigentia noftra dV. $ ad fbpplendum non fnf/ 
ficfmustque continue poftulamur.tieru? confilfo ac foinmfs fumuo nobfa 
Oomi fan's vt duitas appellcmur.^uod fi p:ocul amitis nd fuffidmusrbof 
mi came baud indigemus. 
Brutus mflefifs 
• 3 ,vobfs in comuni arms etflhmt: ac fills non vtimini meo in/ 
dice© longe erratic. £um omnfs vis armomm in vfu confiftac 
*ttec minus pcccatic:fi non babentes ca comparare ncQUsitis^uippe ft 4 
babent t non vtuntur valde fum osmnandi.multo maio:i qui non babent 
crimine funt ofgnu 0>flcfi) ^6:uto 
n ^n_arms fantrfrcGbcminimttdcdaMiio^i^ 3lla cnim 
fintmsnibi^^ parare ae-iUfavtfpoflumi* 
Hon ergo vtilia lune qs qul parare nequeunt ft oefincmec illis qui Kcet ba 
beant:ea tamen vti ncfciunn 
Sutils Xidfs 
q tie vobfs apud cannum fnftrtimcta mcccanica ad ctpngnotio^ 
nem mnralem naualc^ etfftunt: ea cmnfa Xaflio college meo 
rbodum erpugnati mittere curette intra trigmta ofes a ofc qua vobfs p:e> 
fens epfftola reddetnr vol qnoqs celeriusme ft oeficcrctis:quos contra rbo 
dies fedmus apparatus e.ipedfat nebfs contra vos vti. 
Xt'cii #:uto 
c JCleri mandato vns cogruft refponfionf dto v.'delfcct'obfequf co 
nabimur. Jtaqne opere ofem abfit nobis oiffinitiuu pienenire 
et quo minitando nobis p:omifla pjeuenis. £runt igitur inkruments non 
inutilia licet appareat vetufta. 
^:utus Zicijs 
m Scbine'quidem veftre bello fam confecto vt vems c^tat verbi! 
Delate fuerunt. ties tamen commedamus <p in quo termino 
a vobfs trauimitti fuflimus non ocfuiftfo. Sed Xallius ante venft. 
Zitif ^uto, 
A1 fine rationc t perdfte educati viuitis^ 
bio. Opinion idi 
b ^ogenes Zpimenidi pjcchroium oun ob virmtct tolerantiam 6i^ 
dr. Budio re oomi ncurn -t corpotis cultui indulgence? oefidere: c 
tamen virmmrcm pollfc:n.0.uod mibi minfme admiranone oignum ride 
tnr. Bonnin na^ efie fecu.n dum ©imonsdem oifffdle ell: polliccri autem 
peifadle: 
finis. 
B>?c opnfcula caltigatiiTime emendata ^mp^fla fane 
2tiHiuone unpenla llicoiat £epe ainv Huimoncnf' 
US. t0XaCC. jCCVlj.JdlOUS 0C.0W18. OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
75 
PROVINS. 
La reigle des marchans nouuellement translatee de latin en 
francoys. [Colophon :] Cy finist la Regie des marchans Im- 
primee a Prouins, par Guillaume Tauernier A la requeste de 
Jaquette Lebee, veufue de feu Jehan Herault. Le premier iour 
Doctobre. Ian. Mil. cccc quatre vingtz et seze. Quarto, 52 
leaves. 
This was the first book issued from a Provins press with a date. Guil- 
laume Tavernier was probably the only printer there during the fifteenth 
century. A copy is in the National Library, Paris. 
1496 
AVIGNON. 
Luciani Palinurus, Scipio Romanus, Carmina heroica in Amorem, 
Asinus Aureus, Bruti et Diogenis Cynici epistolae. [Colophon :] 
Hec opuscula castigatissima emendata impressa sunt Auinione 
impensa Nicolai Tepe ciuis Auinionensis, m. ccc. xcvii, idibus 
octobris. Quarto, 37 leaves. 
This is the first of the only two books known to have been printed at 
Avignon in the fifteenth century. A copy is in the National Library, Paris, 
and a second in the collection of the author. See plate No. 23. 
1497 
PERIGUEUX. 
Lapide (Joh. de). Resoluturia duboi4? circa celebratione mis || arum 
occurentiu. per Venerabile patre dn^ || Johanne de lapide doc- 
torem. Theologum || parisiensem. ordinis cartusiensis, ex sacro^ 
1498 76 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS. 
|| canonum probatorumq$ doctorum senten || tiis diligenter 
collectum. [Colophon :] Impssum petragori-sensis per magis- 
tru Johanne carant. Anno domi || ni. Millesimo cccc. xcviii. 
Finit feliciter. In - 8, goth, 24 leaves. 
The above title and colophon were taken from item No. 77 of the 1883 
part of the Didot catalogue. I saw the book and gave it a careful examina- 
tion, and found no reasons for doubting the statements contained in its 
colophon. I therefore do not hesitate to assign a printing-press to this 
town before the close of the fifteenth century. This copy came from the 
collection of M. Peignot, is now in the National Library at Paris, and no 
other is known. See plate No. 24. 
PERPIGNAN. 
Breviarium Elnense. Incipit breuiarium seciidu vsum Elne . . . 
[Colophon:] . . . impressa sunt feliciter ppiniani. Per Joanem 
rosembach Germanu de Handelberg Anno . . . Millesimo. 
ccccc. Octavo, 500 pages. 
This is the only book printed at Perpignan in the fifteenth century. 
Rosembach was master of a press at Barcelona in 1494. 
I5OO 
VALENCIENNES. 
Jehan Molinet. La resource du petit peuple. [Colophon:] 
Valenchienes. [1500.] 
The above, with four other small quarto tracts, of four, six, four, and ten 
leaves respectively, are believed to have been printed at Valenciennes 
during the year 1500. A copy of the one with ten leaves, printed by Jehan 
de Liege, is in the National Library, Paris. 
1500 PER&GUEUX. . * 1498. 
Plate No. 24. 
oau &i iWo£ area eelebtat loncintf 
farum OfauTeiitiri.perbenmibd^ 
Joljannr oelapiDedortojetn. ^Ijeologum 
panfiettfem.o:Otws£aiftifi^ 
cattotiwmpxobafoawnq? Oortoami fettfen; 
tits Diltsetiteicollcctum, 
i&ecimuttt. 
TWhoni vpi.m qua rotpus e^vuinere 
nonibus fracru hue oiuifum fait. 
©iftmd.one cozpozis d?nft miftet Fm bt 
uerfos aua Harus. 
t figmficarion; octaui jJndpalis qd in mfiTa agtf bedarat.: 
Circa maTionc pt is tpoflic in calicC aduertendii cfi.Q' boftia fra< 
gifpumomouas mcdleratcs.adberignadfibupllc; Hatu pdeihna* 
top.f.cop qui funt m cterha gloila.t cop q ft in rgali miftna, Jha ni 
cp medietas 4 ex manu centra fug patena indiuifa rollout Feat pdc; 
fanacos 4adeptt funt beatitudme^q per oc^n amtdllgrf. Bha vero. 
medietas q in HniRra manu relink in ossa gtes muldif .quaprna me 
dicrati fug patend collocate cdmngif.t'Fcat-Hlo 4 funt inpurgatono. 
q quid; lj beanrudmemnondfi babcar.fwittficerti be ca/£lurs vera 
para 4 poft biuifion; in bcirtra tend mtttit in calice.tFcat pdeft c 
nates adlyuc in fcculo viuStes.q epuis be beatitudinc Vabida ccrti no 
HncdllJ instate paftTonis % (angpinis epi confcqu&ur.lj g muitaa rf 
bulationce.4 per calicem flgmhcantur. 
iLSfllgnat rocm -t lignification; noni ^ncipalls qd In mi/Ta agitun 
facer do 3 oijrcnt.Sgn9bci tc.ofculaf Ltbrd vd alrare ft 
•llud Fm confuctudm; loci.Et ocm miniftrfi vd ymagm< vd tabula j 
<adc> fib! pozrecta.q vlcen9 erbtbef aftanbus olculada.^zimo id vt 
edebras nd folfi cu beo pacem.fcd t cum 4?ximo fe habere .prdtaur. 
gkefido ideo vt al# ofculatea ^fiteantur fc dTe coifictos tn vfittatc.fi 
dd per jrpm tn ara cruets immolatum. 
1 fignificationcj bccimi pndpalis qd In mifla agltur crponH 
l^oilpmuniond i caUclsacbtgttou cuvlno ablution; fumit did 
binfi. Ubtfo tdco.vt relive fp;ru; facramfraliu(fi q tn ow rcmaferlnt) 
efi illo trifgluddtur. £>cdo id.vt g f;oc Fcetur $ faccrdoo bdeepo ma 
nere oebcat mfid9.t feruarf fapot; t odor; vlni ^pfictionis t mfKae 
I cotde.gfarfiact^a t Icttcie i ott.rcctt puerfatda t luftdc ivlta ? oge 
^rSupm9 bererminata bteuttcr epllogie/i l?oc opus condudens. 
£a 4 circa officifi miffe 4 mimftif.cclcbiddi lecu.tps.ac cetera 
f ffimarto i?ui9opis norata.oubuatiocjigercre pnt.fub ppcdlo fuffteti 
ter refolum putamMFU fl aliq alia occwrit.tt bur 4 otfanlta ft biligi 
ter ^fldcratl faalr folui pfit. Bollicttepcrea curer tile g cm9 ncgltg; 
nJ error aliqs pmifliM fuerit.vt ocbitS fug illo ptfism agar. £t q: me 
ta facrop esnonfl pftrutoes qdd pefect^fpectai; edgfit fanffation; to 
tfi eft vt in caflb9 bifficiltb* dlar' fugio: cdfulaf.cut tales ft rderusdu 
Clfld iateat oenim lectote ooctotes biuerfos circa qda in fugiotib? 
Meta nd vmfoimtf.tj rept" pria fmtirc.vn fieri nd pdt vt flngulop fnioa 
imtremur.S? boc hobf fuftciat vt oi alTccm ad opinates feclufo id qtf 
nobis vcri*aut magis pgruu viffi eft wifiniiKrtmv.ad gftaj tefu rpi. 4 
«fi patre t fpfifancto vimt t regnat in ferula fecmop bfidtetus. Bm^ 
n f £rpltctt refol uro :ifi oubiop circs edebzation; miflap occurr;ti& 
5m6flum pctragozifcnfts per magiUrfi Jobann; carant.fiuno bom* 
nUDilkrtmo.cecc.rcvig. -finic fdicirer. 
ibofHe frafHo 
mm fit ad. J^pfitandfi. 
SrtfcufujJr. 
Srr(.j:f. 
3rtfoitu0.& HOLLAND. 
UTRECHT. 
Petrus Comestor, Scolastica hystoria super novum testamentum 
cu additionibP atq^ incidentijP Incipit felicity .... [Colo- 
phon :] Impressa I traiecto inferior! per magistros Nycolaum 
ketelaer et Gherardu de Leempt m° cccc0 lxxiij0. Folio, 144 
leaves. 
No other Holland book has been discovered with an earlier printed date 
than this. Mr. Henry Bradshaw, of the University Library at Cambridge, 
England, attributes an undated edition of the " Speculum Humanae Salva- 
tionis " to a press established at Utrecht as early as 1471-1474. Under the 
title of " La Prototypographie Neerlandaise," Mr. Campbell gives a list of 
eighteen books, which, with a query, he attributes to Utrecht. Several of 
the works mentioned in this list have, by the advocates of the " Haarlem 
Legend," been assigned to the press of Coster. A copy is in the National 
Library at Paris. 
1473 78 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
DELFT. 
Bible mit horen boecken. [Colophon:] Deese ieghenwoerdighe 
bible .... was gemaectte delf in hollant mitter hulpen gods 
ende bij ons jacob Jacobs soen en mauricius yemants zoen van 
Middelborch. 1477. 10 dach der maent Januarius. 2 volumes, 
folio, 642 leaves. 
This is the first Bible in the Dutch language, and the only book in which 
the names of these two printers appear together. Copies are in the Uni- 
versity Library, Cambridge, England; the National Library, Paris; and in 
the author's collection. 
1477 
GOUDA. 
Epistelen ende evangelien vanden Gheheelen Jaere. [Colophon :] 
Dit is voleyndet int iaer ons here m. cccc. ende Lxxvij op die 
pinxter auont .... Folio, 137 leaves. 
Campbell and other reliable authorities have assigned this book to the 
press of Ger. Leeu, who, it is believed, was the first printer at Gouda. 
Copies are in the Public Library of Gouda, and at the Hague. 
1477 
DEVENTER. 
Petri Bertorii Reductorium morale figurarum Bibliorum. [Colo- 
phon :] Explicit Apocalipsis. liber .... vltimus reductorij 
moralis dauetrie diligenti correctione emendatus 
puctuatus et tabulatus atz impressus Anno . . . Millesimo 
quadrigentesimo septuagesimo septimo per Richardu paffroet de 
Colonia, ciuem dauetriesez . . . Folio, 468 leaves. 
1477 OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
79 
Campbell mentions two other books which may have been issued from a 
press at Deventer in 1476. Mr. Bradshaw gives 1477 as the date of the first. 
This printer had at least one singular peculiarity: he evidently did not 
know how to spell his own name, since we find that he printed it thirteen 
different ways. He was also the most prolific Dutch printer of the fifteenth 
century. 
ST. MARTINSDYKE. 
Der zyelen troeste. [Colophon:] Finis adest libri sit gloria 
cuctipotentl. Ac componentl collatus ad ethera Summl. Jstius 
tytulum consolatio die animarum. Anno dni M. cccc. Ixxviii. 
mesis nouebris J tern der ziele troest dy es gheprint 
Ter eeren en. ter weer dicheyt der ghebode gods. By my pyeter 
werrecoren wonedetsente mertensdyck in Zeelant .... Folio, 
88 leaves, 2 columns of 39 lines. 
This is the only book known to have been issued from a press at St. 
Martinsdyke in the fifteenth century. There is a copy at the Abbey of 
Averbode, Belgium, and no other is known to exist. 
1478 
NIMWEGEN. 
Engelberti Cultificis Epistola breuis ac putilis. de symonia 
vitanda in recepcoe nouiciofrum] et nouicia[rum] ad religione. 
[Colophon:] Explicit epistola breuis collecta p 
.... Engelbertii cultificis Anno dni. m° cccc0 
lxxix°. Mesis Julij. die ix. in Nouimagio Atq^ ibide eode ano 
diligenter impressa die xxiij. Mensis Augusti. Quarto, 87 
leaves. 
This book may have been issued by Gerard Leempt, one of the first 
printers at Utrecht. 
1479 80 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
ZWOLLE. 
Vocabularius Ex quo. [Colophon:] Et sic est finis deo laus t 
gloria trinis Presens hoc opnsculu non stili aut penne suffragio S3 
noua artificiosaq^ inuencione quada ad eusebia dei idustrie 
zwollis est cosumatu Sub ano Natiuitatis. M. cccc. Ixxix feria 
quinta ante festu Natiuitatis dominici Quarto, 232 
leaves. 
Mr. Bradshaw mentions an edition of the " Modus Confitendi " (22 Dec., 
1479), which he must have had sufficient reasons for believing to be the first 
book of Zwolle. I have not been able to find a detailed description of it, 
unless it be No. 1230 of Campbell, and consequently am compelled to give 
the first place to one of the three or four dated books of that year. Mr. 
Campbell names as the printer Joh. de Vollenhoe. 
1479 
HASSELT. 
Dig Epistelen en Evangelien't heele jaar door 
Hasselt, 1480, P. B. Quarto. 
The initials of P. B. probably stand for Peregrinus Barmentlo, a Neapoli- 
tan printer of 1476, and the first known at Hasselt Mr. Bradshaw seems 
to give the first place to an edition of " Gesta Romanorum," which I 
cannot find described by any bibliographer with whose work I am 
acquainted, and again I am compelled to accept the earliest date I have 
been able to find. Campbell, No. 824, describes an edition of the " Gesta 
Romanorum," printed at Hasselt in 1481, but does not mention an earlier 
one from a press at that place. 
1480 OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
81 
CULEMBOURG. 
Boec van den Houte. [Colophon :] Dit is ghemaect in die goede 
stede van culenborch Int iaer ons heren M. CCCC. en Ixxxiij. 
opten sesten dach van maerte by my ian veldener. Quarto, 
34 leaves. 
This printer appears for the first time at Louvain in 1473 or 1474. 
Several authors assert that he was at Cologne before he went to 
Louvain. There is a copy at Althorp, and a second in the Public Library, 
Brussels. 
1483 
LEYDEN. 
Die cronike of die historic va hollant va zeelant ende vrieslant 
ende vande sticht van vtrecht. [Colophon:] Dit boec is voleint 
te Leyden in hollant Int iaer ons heren. M CCCC ende Ixxxiij 
Opten negenden dach van iulio. Quarto, 90 leaves. 
This first known book of Leyden is said to be the work of Heynricus 
Heynrici, who, it is believed, was the first printer in that city. 
1483 
HARLEM. 
Lyden ende die passi ons Heeren ihesu Christi, ende die teykenen 
ende die miraculen die hij dede, .... [Colophon :] dit bouck 
is voleyndet tot Haerlem in Hollant anno 1483, den 10 dach in 
decembri. Quarto, 86 leaves. 
This book is attributed to Jacob Bellaert, who had the first known press 
at Harlem, and is probably the first book printed at that city. 
1483 82 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS. 
BOIS-LE-DUC or S'HERZOGENBUSCH. 
Tundalus. Boeck van Tondalus vysioen. [Colophon:] Hier 
eyndet dat boeck va Tondalus vysioen. ende hoe dat sijn ziele 
wt sijn lichaem ghenomen was. Gheprent tots hartogtenbosch. 
M. cccc. Ixxxiiij. Quarto, 32 leaves. 
This book is believed to have been issued by Gerard Leempt, one of the 
first printers in Holland. A copy is in the Library of the University at 
Louvain. 
1484 
SCHOONHOVEN or KLOSTER HEM. 
Breuiarium Traiectense. [Colophon:] .... cbpletu atq5 in 
fine usq$. suma cu diligetia elaboratu correctu siF x emendatu 
est hoc phs breuiariu extra muros oppidi scoenhouien. ptiu 
holladie traiecten dyoces'. Anno salutis Millesimo quadringen- 
tesimo nonagesimoquito. vltima februarij. Folio, 314 leaves. 
This work is attributed to the canons of the Monastery of Saint Michel, 
the only known printers at Schoonhoven in the fifteenth century. It has 
been stated that these worthy canons (monks ?) went into the business of 
book-making for the purpose of obtaining money to repair their monastery. 
1495 
SCHIEDAM. 
Joannis Brugman Vita Lydwinae Sciedammitae. [Colophon:] 
Hoc opus .... expletuz sciedamis Anno M° CCCC0 xcviij0. 
Ad indiuidue trinitatis honore necno alme Vginis Lijdwie scieda- 
mite pcipue impssu .... Schiedam Jn Hollandia. Quarto, 
124 leaves. 
Whoever issued this book is considered the first who had a press at 
Schiedam. Up to this time the name or names of the fifteenth century- 
printer or printers at this place have not been discovered. 
1498 BELGIUM. 
ALOST. 
Speculum conuersionis peccatorum magistri dyonisii de leuuuis 
alias rikel ordinis Cartusiensis. [Colophon:] Impressum. 
Alosti. in Flandria. Anno. m° cccc0 lxxiii°. Quarto, 28 leaves. 
Another book, an edition of " De duobus amantibus Eurialo et Lucretia 
opusculum " of jEneas Silvius (Pius II.), was issued at Alost in 1473 ; 
but as neither gives the day of the month when completed, there is no way 
of deciding which is entitled to the first place. The one described is 
believed to have been printed by John of Westphalia and Thierry Martens. 
1473 
LOUVAIN. 
Petri de Crescentiis liber ruralium commodorum. [Colophon :] 
Presens opus .... extitit hac littera vera modernata. abscisa 
[et] formata: impressum. p loannem de vvestfalia Paderbornen 
1474 84 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
dyocesis. In alma .... vniuersitate Louaniesi residents. 
Anno M° cccc0 Lxxiiii0 mensis Decembris die nona. .c...c...c. . 
Folio, 196 leaves. 
Panzer and Hain both state that printing commenced at Louvain in 1473. 
The former names two books issued in that year. Campbell does not 
mention either, but is doubtful about the date of an edition of a work of 
Zambarellis, which he thinks may have been printed by Jean Veldener in 
1473-74. 
BRUGES. 
Le Jardin de deuotion, auquel lame denote quiert son amoureux 
Jhesuchrist. [Colophon:] Primum opus impressum per Col- 
ardum Mansion, Brugis [1475.] Folio, 29 leaves. 
Mansion was one of the most notable of the fifteenth century printers. 
Caxton, England's first printer, practiced his art with this master. The 
first books in the English and French languages were probably from a 
press at Bruges. Examples of Mansion's handiwork are seldom found in 
the hands of an auctioneer or book-seller; but, when they are, large prices 
are realized for them. A copy of his " Lestrif de fortune," in the first part 
of the Didot sale, brought 21,500 francs, or $4,300. 
I give the date of the work described upon the authority of a number of 
most reliable bibliographers. Their assertions as to the exact year may be 
arbitrary; but the presumption, in this particular instance, is that there are 
good reasons for having made them. The first book of Bruges with a certain 
date is of 1476. 
A copy of the work described is in the National Library, Paris. 
1475 
BRUSSELS. 
Arnoldus Geilhoven de Hollandia de Rotterdam. Ordin . S. 
Augustini. Gnotosolitos sive speculum conscientiae. [Colo- 
phon :] Presens hoc speculum .... Arte ipssoria multipli- 
1476 85 
OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
catu. & qtu huana suffecit idustria satis sollert elaboratu. 
Bruxelle opido brabacie finitu feliciter anno dni M°. cccc0. Lx. 
xvi°. xxv mensis maij. 2 parts, folio. 
" Freres de la Vie Commune," the Brothers of Common Life, were the 
first who had a press at Brussels. Before the introduction of printing, the 
various chapters of this brotherhood held special rights, which had been 
granted to them, in relation to writing, copying, and illuminating - hence 
their readiness to accept and take advantage of the newly discovered art. 
Several writers have fixed upon 1472, while others have named 1473 and 
1474 as the years of the first printing at Brussels. Up to this time, however, 
no book with a date anterior to 1476 has been discovered. 
AUDENARDE or OUDENARDE. 
Hermanni de Petra de Scutdorpe sermones L super orationem 
Dominicam. [Colophon:] Pressum Aldernardi per me Arnoldum 
Caesaris meosque sodales dominice incarnationis supra M. CCCC. 
anno LXXX .... Folio, 136 leaves. 
Arnoldus Caesaris, or Arend de Keyser, after printing at Audenarde for 
three years, went to Ghent, where, in 1483, he issued from his press the 
first book of that city. 
1480 
ANTWERP. 
Den Spieghel ofte een reghel der Kersten ghelove ofte der 
Kersten eewe. [Colophon :] Ende es gheprent tantwerpen bi 
mi Mathijs vander Goes Jnt Jaer ons heren. M. CCCC. ende 
Ixxxij. opten. xxix. dach van April. Quarto, 42 leaves. 
1482 86 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS. 
There is a work of Antwerp which bears the date 1472, but a majority 
of bibliographers believe it to be at least ten years too early. Panzer 
mentions six books printed at that city before 1482; but as there seems to 
be considerable doubt about the dates of those mentioned by Panzer, 
I accept the " Speighel " as the earliest example I can find with a date 
about which there can be no misunderstanding. Campbell (No. 54) 
describes a book ("Rudolphi Agricola Opuscula" ), of 1476, which several 
authors have placed to the credit of Antwerp. He, however, does not 
believe in its existence. 
GHENT. 
Traite de paix et de mariage . . . . Fait a francise alias arras 
le xxiije iour de decembre lan. Mil quatrecens quatre vingt et 
deux et publie le xxiiije iour dud' moys en leglise nostre dame 
en le cite leg led' arras. [Colophon:] Le traictie de la paix 
Jmpresse a gand deleg le belfroij par Arnoul de Keysere le viije 
iour dapuril lan Mil. cccc. quatre vingt et trois. Folio, 12 
leaves. 
The only copy of this Treaty known is in the Library of the University 
at Ghent. 
1483 HUNGARY. 
BUDA. 
Chronica Hungarorum ab origine ad coronationem Regis 
Mathiae. [Colophon :] Finita Bude anno Dni m. cccc. lxxiii, 
in vigilia Penthecostes per Andream Hess. Folio, 67 leaves. 
This and one other book, which is without date, constitute the only 
known products of the Buda press of the fifteenth century. It is not known 
that Andreas Hess had a press elsewhere. 
1473 SPAIN. 
VALENCIA. 
Bernardo Fenollar. Certamen poetich, en lohor de la Concecio. 
.... En Valencia, 1474, Quarto. 
This is the only book known to have been printed at Valencia in 1474. 
It was probably the work of a German printer, Lambert Palmart, whose 
name appears for the first time in 1477. 
1474 
SARAGOSSA. 
Manipulus curatorem compositus a Guidone de Monteroteri. 
[Colophon:] .... Clero et populo impressio perutilis utriusque 
ope sed Matthei Fland' industria felici termino clausa est Ara- 
1475 90 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
gonensium regia in urbe Cesaraugusta xv octobris anno salutis 
millesimo quadrigentesimo septuagesimo quinto. Folio. 
Neither Panzer, Santander, nor Hain mention this book or its printer. It 
is a very great rarity, and I do not know where a copy can be found. 
SEVILLE. 
Clemente Sanchez de Vercial. Sacramental. [Colophon:] 
.... A instancia e mandado del .... Padre D. Pedro 
Fernandes de Solis .... e . . . . Don Pero Gonzales de 
Mendoza, .... Arzobispo de Sevilla, .... En el dicho 
Arzbispado fue impresa esta obra en la .... Cibdad de 
Sevilla por los diligentes e discretos maestros Anton Martines 
e Bartholome Segura e Alphonso del Puerto. E acabose en 
primero dia del mes de Agosto. Ano . . . . de m. cccc. lxxvii. 
anos del pontificado del .... santo Padre Sixto Papa 
quarto ano sexto .... Quarto, 168 leaves. 
There is an undated copy of this work at the National Library in Paris, 
which the catalogue-makers of that institution believe was printed at Seville 
in 1475, by the same printers who executed the edition of 1477. They give 
no reasons for such a belief, but simply state it. 
1477 
BARCELONA. 
Sancti Thome de Aqvino in libris Ethicorum Cbmentvm . . . . 
Pere Bruno y Nicolau Spindeler, Alemanijs. xv Junii, 1478. 
There is said to exist a book of Barcelona dated 1468. M. Bernard 
has proved that the year intended was 1498. Several authorities cite 
another of 1475, but I have not been able to find any description of it 
1478 OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
91 
which gives a certain year; so I infer that if it exists at all it is without 
date. There is no doubt of the existence of the one described. It was 
printed by Pere Bruno and Nicolas Spindeler, and is probably the first book 
from a press at Barcelona. 
LERIDA. 
Breviario Illerdense. Breviarium opus secundum Illerdensis 
ecclesie consuetudinem .... emendatum per dominum 
Laurentium Fornes .... Antonius Palares campanarum 
eiusdem ecclesie pulsator propriis expensis fieri fecit. Im- 
pressitque venerabilis Magister Henric? Botel de Saxonia 
aleman? vir erudit? huic clarissimo opere in urbe Illerde xvi 
Augusti anno . . . m. cccc. lxxviiii. Quarto. 
A copy of this exceedingly rare book is in the library of the Carmelite 
Convent at Barcelona. 
1479 
SEGORBE. 
I 
Constitutiones synodales Bartholomaei Marti, Cardinalis et 
Episcopi Segobricensis .... Segobricse, 1479. 
This book is by an unknown printer, and is the only one which is claimed 
to have been issued at Segorbe in the fifteenth century. It was first 
mentioned by Caballero, and by him assigned to Segorbe, and is given a 
place in this list because several careful writers have partially accepted his 
statement. 
1479 
TOLEDO. 
Leyes originales de los Reyes de Espana registradas por D. 
Diego Vasquez Chanciller. S. L. 1480. Quarto. 
1480 92 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
Don Dion. Hidalgo, Don Barth. J. Gallardo, and other Spanish bibliog- 
raphers have examined a copy of this book in one of the provincial 
libraries of Spain, and for good reasons, which their examinations disclose, 
agree as to the date and place of printing. They also compared it with the 
heretofore supposed first book of Toledo, printed by Juan Vasquez in i486, 
and found that the types used for printing both books were the same. 
SALAMANCA. 
ZElii Antonii Nebrissensis Introductiones latinae explicate. 
[Colophon:] Salmanticae anno ... m. cccc. lxxxj'. ad 
xvij. K. Februarii . . . Folio. 
A copy of this rare work can be found in the Royal Library at Madrid. 
Arnaldo, or Arnao Guillen de Brocar and his son Juan are believed to have 
been the first to establish a printing-press at Salamanca. 
1481 
ZAMORA. 
Proverbios de Seneca por el Dr. Pero Diaz. [Colophon:] Esta 
obra se acabb en la cibdad de f amora sabbado a tres dias del 
mes de Agosto ano . . de mil e quatro^ientos e ochenta e 
dos anos. Anton de Centenera. Folio, 85 leaves. 
M. Deschamps claims priority for this book over an edition of the " Vita 
Christi." The latter, before his discovery, was believed to have been the 
first book printed at Zamora. His claim, as he states it, seems to be well 
founded. A copy is in the Royal Library at Madrid. 
1482 OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
93 
GERONA. 
Memorial del pecador remut. La primera part del libro apellat 
memorial .... compilat per .... Phelip de Malla .... 
[Colophon:].... la primera part .... impressa a despeses 
de Matheu Vendrell mercader en la ciutat de Girona, dilluns a 
xvii. de noembre lany de ... . mil cccc lxxx, y tres. Folio. 
This is the only book known to have been issued at Gerona before the 
end of the fifteenth century. Mathew Vendrell, its printer, established a 
press at Barcelona in 1484. At least one author is of the opinion that he 
never was at Gerona, but executed the work described at Barcelona. 
1483 
BURGOS. 
Arte de Gramatica de Fray Andres de Cerezo. Andreas Guter- 
rius Cerasianus .... Domino Ludovico Acuna .... salutem 
plurimam dicit. [Colophon:] Mense martio duodecima die 
anno . . . 1485 .... 
The first printer at Burgos was Frederick de Bale, who possibly learned 
the art from Berthold Ruppel. This is believed to be his first book. 
1485 
PALMA. 
Johanis de Gersono tractatus, qui stringit conclusionum processu: 
fere totam theologiam et moralem. [Colophon :] .... opera 
et impensis Reuerendi Bartholomei Caldentem . . . Impressii 
est: Arte uero et industria ingeniosi Nicolai Califati balearici 
in maiori ex balearibus imprimentis Anno salutis M CCCC 
LXXXV die uero XX mensis lunii. Quarto, 30 leaves. 
1485 94 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
Nicolai Calafati was the only printer at Palma before the end of the 
fifteenth century. He left two books bearing his name. His press was 
not known to the earlier bibliographers. Don Joaquin Maria Bover, the 
historian of the Balearic Isles, was the first to discover the work described. 
XERES. 
Constitutiones synodales urbis vel Ecclesiae Xericanae, auctore 
Bartholomaeo Marti .... Xericae, 1485. 
All knowledge of this book seems to have been derived from the assertions 
of the Abbe Caballero. Subsequent Spanish bibliographers neither repeat 
nor deny his statements. Deschamps questions the accuracy of his geograph- 
ical knowledge. The work described is given a place in this list, for the 
reason that in its description I find the name of a town* and a date which 
probably refer to the place and time of printing. 
1485 
MURCIA. 
Copilacion de las Batallas campales que son contenidas en las 
estorias escolasticas e de Espana .... [Colophon:] .... 
Fue este libro .... en la .... cibdad de Murcia por 
manos de maestre Lope de la Roca Aleman Impressor de 
libros lunes xxviij dias de mayo ano de mil e cccc. Lxxxvij. anos. 
2 parts, folio. 
This printer, Lope Joh. or Juan de Roca, was the only one who had a press 
at Murcia in the fifteenth century. It is not known that he issued more 
than two books. 
1487 OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
95 
SAN CUCUFAT or SAN COLGAT DES VALLES. 
Ysaac de religione. [Colophon:] Finitus hie Libell' apud 
sanctii Cucufatum vallis Aretane. xxix nouebris anni D. m. cccc. 
lxxxix. Quarto, 123 leaves. 
Several of the earlier writers doubt the propriety of assigning this book 
to San Cucufat. The Spanish bibliographers, however, including Mendez, 
agree as to the correctness of the date and place of printing. Of the printer 
nothing is known. 
1489 
CORIA. 
Blason general de todas las insignias del universo. Dedicado al 
.... rey de Portogal. Hecho en la universitad de Salamanca 
Por un gallego hijo del dicho estudio renombre Gracia dey. 
[Colophon:] inpresso y entallado an la cibdab de coria por 
maestro Bartoleme de lila flameco ano de mil cccc l xxxix. 
Quarto. 
This is the only book issued at Coria before the close of the fifteenth 
century. Of Bar. de Lila, its printer, beyond the mention of his name in 
this work, nothing is known. 
1489 
PAMPLONA. 
Pedri de Castrobel. Commentarii in Symbolum Apostolicum 
.... Pampilone, 1489. Quarto. 
Hain (No. 4656) gives the above title and date; Reichhart repeats it. 
The Spanish bibliographers do not mention this edition, but give the date 
of the first book at Pamplona as of 1495, when the name of Arnaldo Guillen 
de Brocar, the earliest known printer there, first appears. 
1489 96 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
TOLOSA. 
Mosen Diego de Valera. Coronica de Espana .... Tholosa. 
Henricus Mayer. 1489. Folio, 179 leaves. 
The history of early printing in this city seems to be in some manner so 
interwoven with that of Toulouse, France, that up to this time it has not 
been possible to arrive at any satisfactory solution of perplexing historical 
difficulties. Panzer, Hain, and Santander give 1479 as the date of the first 
book of Tolosa. The later writers discard this date and agree upon 1489 
as the correct period. I am inclined to side with these later authorities, 
several of whom have made early printing in Spain a subject of special 
investigation. 
1489 
VALLADOLID. 
Tractado breve de Confession. [Colophon :] Esta obra se fizo 
en Valladolid .... Ano de mil [y] quatrocietos [y] xcii. Anos. 
A. in. de febrero. Quarto. 
It is not known who was the printer of this book. The name of Juan 
de Froncourt, the earliest known at Valladolid, appears for the first time 
in 1493- 
1492 
CAGLIARI. 
Speculum Ecclesle. Comensa la robriqua || de aquest libre 
apellat || speculum ecclesie so esa || dir espileho mirall de la || 
santa hesgleya qui es so || bre la missa [Colophon:] 
Acabada la pset hobra apelada specutuz eclesie || stapat e la 
ciutat y castil || de callar p lo honorable || e Salvador de bolbya 
me || stre de stapa a reqsta de || mestre nicolau dagreda || aragones 
al p mer de oct || ubre del ay mil. ccccxciii. 
1493 OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
97 
M. Mutaner, the librarian of the Municipal Library at Palma, has dis- 
covered in the collection under his charge the only known copy of this 
work. Of Nicholas Degrada, of Arragon, its printer, there is no mention 
outside of this colophon. No other book was issued at Cagliari before the 
end of the fifteenth century. 
MONTEREY. 
Missale. [Colophon :] Hoc opus Misarum, seu liber Misale totius 
anni .... explicit .... suma cum diligentia correctum et 
emendatum, impressum arte, et expensis Gundisalvi Roderici de 
la Passera, et Johannis de Porres sociorum. Cui finis datur 
Monti Regio D. D. Francisco de Zuniga .... anno 
m. ccccxciiii. tertio nonas februarii. 
This is probably the only book from the press of de la Passera and de 
Porres, and is believed to be the only one printed at Monterey during the 
fifteenth century. 
1494 
GRANADA. 
Francisci Ximenii. Primer volumen de vita Xpi .... cor- 
regido y anadido por el Argobispo de Granada. [Colophon:] 
Fue acabado y empresso este primer volumen de vita cristi de 
fray fracisco ximenez: en la .... cibdad de Grenada en el 
postrimero dia del mes de Abril . Ano ... de mill. cccc. xcvj. 
Por Meynardo Ungut e Jhoanes de Nureberga alemanes, por 
madado y expensas del .... Don Fray Fernando de 
Talauera primero argobispo .... de Granada. Folio. 
1496 98 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS 
Several authors mention one or two unimportant books which may have 
been printed at Granada earlier than the one described. The Spanish 
bibliographers agree that this was the first. Meynard Ungut and Joh. of 
Nuremberg were established at Seville in 1490 and 1491. 
TARRAGONA. 
Liber Hymnorum. [Colophon:] Expliciunt hymni cum suis 
expositionibus Terracone nouiter impressi. Regnante Fer- 
dinando secundo hyspaniaru rege. per ma-gistrii iohannem 
rosembach Alemanu. An-no incarnationis millesimo quad- 
ringentesimo nonagesimo octauo. Die vero decimo oc-tauo 
mensis Septembris .... Quarto, 48 leaves. 
The only book known to have been issued at Tarragona in the fifteenth 
century. Rosembach, the printer of this work, was established at three 
other cities-Barcelona, Perpignan, and Montserrat-before the close of the 
fifteenth century. 
1498 
MONASTERIO DE NUESTRA SENORA DE 
MONTSERRAT. 
Libro de las meditaciones de N.-S. J.-C. [Colophon:] Ex- 
pliciunt meditationes quas sanctus scripsit Bonaventura de vita 
et passione domini nostri Jesu Christi .... in Monasterio 
beate Marie de Monteserrato .... Impressum per Johannem 
Luschner alemanum. Sub impensis ejusdem monasterii. Anno 
Dni. m. cccc0 Lxxxxviiij. xvj. mensis Aprilis . . . Octavo. 
There were six books issued from the press of Luschner, at this mon- 
astery, in 1499. Of those which bear the day of the month, this is the 
earliest. It is not known that he exercised his art at any other place, and 
it is believed he was the only printer at Montserrat in the fifteenth century. 
1499 OF THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY. 
99 
MADRID. 
Leyes hechas par los muy altos . . . principes ... el Rey 
Don Fernando e la Reyna Dona Isabel .... por la brevedad 
e orden de los pleytos. Fechas en la Villa de Madrid ano . . . 
de mil. cccc. xcix. [At end of the ordinances :] Dada en . . . 
Madrid a xxj. dias del mes de mayo ano de mil e cccc. xcix. 
anos. Yo el rey. Yo la reyna. Yo Miguel perez dalmazan 
secretario [Privilege:] Por quanto Fernando de 
Jahen, librero, quedd e ofrecib de par estas leyes ... en 
precio iusto . . . mandaron los senores Presidente e Oidores 
de la audiencia de sus altezas que residen en .... Valla- 
dolid, que Folio. 
Of the history of early printing at Madrid very little seems to be known. 
Those authors who have anything to say about it agree that the book 
described was printed in that city in 1499. One or two are of the opinion 
that Fernando de Jahen combined the art of book-making with the occupa- 
tion of book-selling, and that he may have been the printer of this work. 
1499 
J AEN. 
Petri de Gui tractatus de differentiis. [Colophon :] Finitus hie 
liber de differentia editus a Magistro Petro Dagui in urbe 
Giennensi anno . . . m. ccccc. die vero 20 mensis maii. 
Several writers assert that the date (1500) refers to the completion of the 
composition. The majority of bibliographers, however, are of the opinion 
that it must refer to the time of printing. 
1500 AUSTRIA. 
TRENT, or TRIENT. 
Geschichte des zu Trient ermordeten Christenkindes. [Colo- 
phon:] Und das hat ghedruckt Albertus Duderstat von 
Eiksvelt zu Trient in dem iar . . . . tausend vier hundert 
vnd funf vnd sibuz iar an dem mitwuchen vor unser lieben 
frauwen tage der purt. Folio, 14 leaves. 
This is the first book known to have been printed in Austria. Albrecht 
Kune, of Duderstadt, its printer, in 1482 established the first press at 
Memmingen. 
^475 
VIENNA. 
Tractatus Distinctionum. [Colophon:] Explicit Manipulus 
distinctionum Lectoris Iohannis Meyger impressum Wienne 
anno domini m. cccc. lxxxil Quarto, 11 leaves. 
1482 102 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS. 
Six books, by an unknown printer, were issued from a press at Vienna in 
1482. The name of Johannes Winterberger, the first known printer in this 
city, appears for the first time in 1492. A copy is in the Imperial Library 
at Vienna. 
KLOSTERNEUBURG. 
Bulla Canonizationis Sancti Leopoldi Marchionis: Innocentius 
Epus seruus seruo [rum] dei. Ad ppetuam rei memoria .... 
[Colophon:] Datii Rome Apud sanctu petrz. Anno .... 
Millesimo quadrigetesimo octuagesimo quarto. Octauo Idus 
Januarij potificatus nostri. Anno primo. Quarto, 4 leaves. 
The late M. Tross, of Paris, was the first to discover and indicate the 
place where this bull was printed. He mentions another book from 
the same press. A copy is in the collection of the author. See plate 
No. 25. 
1484 
BRUNN. 
(Moravia.) 
Agenda secundum chorum Olomucensem Brunae, i486. 
Quarto. 
The name of the printer of this book is unknown. Conrad Stahel, who 
commenced issuing books at Passau about 1480 or '82, is the first men- 
tioned at Brunn; but his name does not appear there until 1491. 
i486 KLOSTERNEUBURG. . .1484. 
Plate No. 25. 
magna cusiligetfr p venfrabikSBft^ 
a ZD.piedi&um p'enefhin illo ten. poteXpikcpd a (Tip/ 
tum^Sc f San&i^wllachy ^y^conum £arofrakm* 
> Cominsrfrcoifajtffrpuatapitorbtioceidc£ixtofa/ 
^♦p^modufn facrofenaturftTetc pdfro vent rabilt fi c 
KȣpopomKn.cifrciderefxamiata.*7eriUo^fnis4 
£sncni3;arn?;)f!nra.^irntbfioplfifutu Vita fu 
floJIobte q tide fr one re aboiw p fcfoia} m taj beet 
frdignifaccefrmMferuatiie.vt frymamanij tafecap 
>batioi apponerem^ Icfih'o Jta$ bitcuiirfre vew 
rabiliu frat^ nro^ ffte rcmac ccctie Ordfralivpubli 
ca ociofi oia ,pwt ex oidine gella erar. kop o!dt qs vit s< 
mfracra^reliq mcrita, padnccatuiofrioifrlr .ppeni 
airanimus«bemu vccatfeoibne.q in •pewana curia d 
gift plat is. frfreqneti ec^ pk(Tu afiftenb^r obie eifd<5 
Oenmbilib* frib^nns ffte Ken ae tcc tie. CardieM^ 
^ingte^ vota platc^ Rrutarifuim9. Onib^fprs ffli 
Sra coopateimaib* pedit vt aiut in e a fnias nic 
t bus. Ob kopoldo rreritc fdua a notif ffinonfssdrs 
eiT5<*bucinIocii<7pubItcu frygellubacipcsie ofeede 
re&creuim^vtopitulatetfio vetfepdbuky ffdcThim 
adiuuatibusJpmkopoldufdm sifffrere^.pfflo vd 
nerari oebereab vniufie^ftngttFrpfanif us 
Sieg; bodtc fermoe p not blto.re sfra p s da n reliqnff 
folenitatibus adb»bttis ed bar (Qitfima fancniaacicm 
;pccdedu surimue. £u aut verbo fopiet ie tris a ffirtr et 
bomint qiiienm laudauerit. et oilemit scum qut fecit 
ilium quod in medio populi fuimltabi' nr. Jn pknttn 
sfrcfftaadmfrabitur. jnmnltftwdfretkdc >vm babe 
bit laudem.et inter benediftesbe nedicehir. Wiwcp 
in modum leopoldusfr medio populous mkatrg fit 
fclenitudfre celeftiegrecte .admfrabilfe refv!^ 
■Reftat vt noflraap^batioe inter ekftos.et fan^s sei 
frudefejnfbnda5sbfaicaf<qilliab^^^ 
Si«tmintcrrinaoe«ctieadnufflirandBfn»4>ftnao 
wjrandH.atspubliciealo^^ 
bHawtiteimiifaycekteationftiiealylyceiiiiniesftl 
cyst Jnuocandum apUca auftoutatc mofcauei imue t 
Sd laudej faitur cterni oci* Jndimdue.trmitatfrpr is 
et fiiyetfpirituafandi.^dhdeikatboUcerouUi ec 03 
namentuT* Sd religioniscriftisne cultum augenfluj* 
auftojitart Olli noftri ibcfHcrilli 0r bwtoium t>CC r 1 
•spMdiapoftoloyecnoftrawvcncrabiliufrMnino/ 
(tro^connhoftacutmue.c(ffmitnus<ct^nunaianiug. 
SManmlwpoWBrnwIlrfca^^ 
Iago afcribendiu et publics vencrat lone 4? o t krus 
ou.&cut mosiKumfnpntia? manifcltaiW 
faralagoannedimusSc mfrop pfctfopmimcroaoiu 
gfrw^ubUcdam^^ 
munStatuetcsfcftucfrfdc«^^ 
Emmbjts bebere cekbrari^ ipo left© cine wpnkbp. 
qdfr pdido monafterio eriftit vifitantibuSw^^niann 
tentioesiaimonafterymflnuero?rigentibusfid!utn 
ces«Septem annoeet totidej* Quadrag^fieinQulgc 
de* Jn forma ecckrfcmiftricoidk^^ 
buepcedimus^uUiergccmino bominu Uceatbanc 
pagfrasnr i ftstuti* fciffmicicnfe^nuctktiois'Snncx 
foni8.adtu&'onfe*irfcffionfe.vcmrw^ 
ni9« frfringere*telei 9nfrtemtrarioptT9ite*&q«is 
aut bocattemptare picfompftnh indigufl tt©n c omni 
potentieoetacbcatoppttrnpauliapoitolommems 
rcnonentfrcurfrp'^atu.Kome<^pwdlanaumpetp 
Simo incarnation is ocmfrice.WiUcfiffioqHedringe 
terimooanagerimoqnartoXaawcJdBe#^ 
dficatw«noftH,Snno pttmoi POLAND. 
CRACOW, or CRACOVIA. 
Johannes de Turrecremata. Ad sanctissimum ac beatissimum 
dum Pium Scdm pontificem maximum editio in librum psalmo 
[rum] que alij soliloquiii dicunt incipit feliciter. Sabinensi epo 
ac sacte romane eccie cardiali sacti Sixti vulgariter niicupato 
edita. [Colophon :] .... explanacio i psalteriu finit. Cracis 
impssa. [1475.] Folio, 149 leaves. 
Several authors who have written upon early printing at Cracow have 
advanced separate theories. Various years, from 1465 to 1500, have been 
given as the date of the first book. The discovery that the work described 
was printed with types which, they believed, had been used by Gunther 
Zainer at Augsburg, has led several bibliographers to express a belief that 
he was the first printer at Cracow; and later writers now agree in asserting 
1475 104 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS. 
that this edition of Turrecremata was issued as early as 1475. It seems to 
be quite clear, however, that a book of Hours of 1491 was the first with 
a date, as well as the first book known to have been printed in the Slavic 
language, and that Sweybold Veyl was its printer, and not Jean Haller, who 
has often passed for the first printer in this city, where he was a book-seller, 
and not a book-maker. ENGLAND. 
WESTMINSTER. 
The Dictes and Sayinges of Philosophres. Which Boke is 
translated out of Frenshe into Englyssh by the Noble and 
puissant lord Antoine Erle of Ryuyers [Colophon:] 
Emprynted by me William Caxton at Westminstre the yere of 
our lord m. cccc. Ixxvij. Folio. 
In 1471 Caxton (who was then at Bruges) translated from the French and 
soon after, probably with the aid of Colard Mansion, issued this transla- 
tion of " The Recuyell of the Historeys of Troye," the first book ever printed 
in English. The second, "The Game and the Playe of the Chesse," Mr. 
Blades believes, was also from a press at Bruges. The first edition in 
French of the " Receuil des histroies de Troyes " is also supposed to have 
been printed at Bruges, in 1476. 
In the introduction to the Catalogue of the Caxton Exhibition of 1877 I 
find it stated, without qualification, " That to Caxton belongs the honor of 
having printed not only the first book in English, but the first in the 
U77 106 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS. 
French language." Upon page 8 of the same catalogue there is a note to 
the title of the last-named work, which reads: " This is the first book 
printed in French, and is believed by many English bibliographers to have 
been printed by Colard Mansion." Here we find a qualification of the 
former unqualified statement, and a fair illustration of the general value of 
bibliographical speculations. It is possible that some one may discover that 
all the books which have been attributed to Caxton while he was at 
Bruges, were worked off from the press of Mansion, and that the latter 
assisted the former in printing each of these works. Three copies of the 
"Dictes " were at the Caxton Exhibition,- one of them from Althorp. 
OXFORD. 
Exposicio S. Ieronimi in Symbolum Apostolorum. [Colophon:] 
Explicit exposicio .... ad papam laurecium Impressa Oxonie 
Et finita Annodomini. m. cccc. Lxviii. xvij. die decembris. 
Quarto, 42 leaves. 
It has been conceded that the date of this book is erroneous, a majority 
of the bibliographers agreeing that the year 1478 was intended by the 
printer. Theodoricus Rood, a native of Cologne, was the first printer at 
Oxford. There is a copy at Althorp, and another in the National Library, 
Paris. 
1478 
SAINT ALBANS. 
Rhetorica nova Laurencii Guilelmi de Saona. [Colophon:] 
Compilatum autem fuit hoc opus in alma universitate Canta- 
brigie, anno Domini MCCCCLXXVIII .... impressum fuit 
.... apud villa Sancti Albani. Anno Domini M CCCC 
LXXX. Quarto. 
To the press of the " School-master at St. Albans," whoever he was, are 
attributed eight books, issued from 1480 to i486. No other press is 
known to have existed at that town during the fifteenth century. There 
is a copy at Althorp, and a second in the Bodleian Library, Oxford. 
1480 SAVOY. 
ALBI. 
Iohannis de Tvrrecremata Contemplaciones. [Colophon :] Im- 
pressae Albie, anno domini M° CCCC°, octuagesimo primo et 
die xij. mensis nouembris. Quarto, 30 leaves. 
Probably the first book printed at Albi with a date, and one of the first 
illustrated with engravings on metal. M. Claudin, of Paris, published in 
1880 a work entitled " Origines de 1'imprimerie a Albi en Languedoc 
(1480-1484)," in which he gives a most carefully prepared account of the 
wanderings of John Neumeister, companion of Gutenberg, and has made a 
strong, if not conclusive, case in favor of his having been the printer of this 
book, and probably the first at this place. A copy is at the National 
Library, Paris, and a second in the collection of M. Claudin. 
1481 108 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS. 
CHAMBERY. 
Exposition des Euangiles. [Colophon :] Cy finist lexposition 
des euuagilles et des epistres de tout lan translatees de nouueau 
de latin en frangoys. Imprimees A chambery Par Anthoine 
neyret. lan de grace m cccc Lxxxiiij, le vi. iour du moys de 
iuillet. Folio. 
Several authors give precedence to an undated book entitled "Le Livre 
de Baudoyn." The work described, however, is the first known to have 
been printed at Chambery. Neyret combined the art of engraving upon 
wood with printing. A copy is in the National Library, Paris. 
1484 DENMARK. 
ODENSEE. 
Guilhelmi Caorsini de Obsidione et bello Rhodiano. [Colo- 
phon :] Per Venerabilem virum Johannem Snel artis impres- 
sorie magistrum in Ottonia impressa sub anno Dni 1482. 
Quarto. 
The University at Upsal possesses the only known copy of this book. It 
is believed that Snel was the only printer at Odensee up to the close 
of the fifteenth century. 
1482 
SCHLESWIG. 
Missale Sleswicense. Missale secundum Ordinarium et ritum 
Ecclesiae Sleswicensis. [Colophon:] Per Jacobum Hortsman 
i486 110 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS. 
formatum, emendatum et correctum, impressumque in Sleswick 
arte et ingenio Stephani Arndes. i486. Folio. 
This is the only book known to have been issued at Schleswig during 
the fifteenth century. Arndes was at Perusia in 1481, and at Lubeck in 
1492 and 1496. 
COPENHAGEN. 
Reguue emendate correcteque Hafnye de figuratis Construction- 
ibus grammaticis, ex diversis Passibus Sacre Scripture ac 
Poetarum. [Colophon :] Impresse Hafnye per Gothefridum de 
Ghemen. Anno 1493. Quarto. 
Gouvaert van Gheman, a native of Holland, had a press at Gouda before 
he went to Copenhagen. He continued to issue books at the latter place as 
late as 1508, and was the only printer at Copenhagen before the end of the 
fifteenth century. 
1493 SWEDEN. 
STOCKHOLM. 
Dialogus Creaturar[um] Moralizatus. [Colophon:] Impressus 
per Johanem snell artis impssorie mgrm. in Stockholm inceptus 
et . . . . finitus est. Anno dni m. cccc. Lxxxiij. Mensis decebris 
In vigilia thome. Quarto, 156 leaves. 
This Johanem Snell was probably the 1482 printer of Odensee. It is 
believed that he issued two other books from his Stockholm press, under 
the name of Johannes Fabri. Two copies of the work described are in the 
Library of the University of Upsal. 
1483 112 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS. 
WADSTEN. 
Breviarium ad usum coenobii Wadstenensis, de ordine S. Brigit- 
tae [Colophon:] Wadstenis, typis monasterii, anno Domini 
mcdxcv. Octavo. 
This is the only book with a date printed at the Monastery of Ste. Brig- 
gitte during the fifteenth century. Several authors are of the opinion that 
one other work was issued from that press as early as 1491 ; but they give 
no reasons for such a belief. 
U95 TURKEY. 
CONSTANTINOPLE. 
Lexicon hebraicum .... 1488. 
The earlier bibliographers who mention the subject of early printing in 
Turkey, were skeptical about a press having existed there before the end of 
the fifteenth century. Later writers seem to have settled upon 1488 as the 
date of the first book issued in that country, and they accord the honor due 
the first printer to Rabbi Gersom, a son of one of the Jewish printers at 
Soncino. 
1488 PORTUGAL 
LISBON. 
R. Mosis ben Nachman. Commentarius in Pentateuchum. [Colo- 
phon:] Nomen Dei .... qui .... adiuvit eum, ut perficeret 
scriptum hoc . . . . et quidem perficeret perpulchra impressione, 
rectaque correctione, Ulyssipone, mense Ab anno Miserabor 
ludae, videlicet ccxlix. iudaico [A. D. 1489], in aedibus Rabbi 
Zorba et Raban Eliezer. Two parts, folio, 300 leaves. 
Several early authorities were of the opinion that at least one book was 
issued from a Lisbon press as early as 1485. Later writers cite the above 
as the first with an authentic date. The printers were Rabbi Samuel 
Zorb(r)a and Raban (Rabbi) Eliezer. 
1489 116 
FIRST BOOKS AND PRINTERS. 
LEIRIA. 
Proverbia Salomonis, cum Chaldaica paraphrasi et comment. 
Rabbi Levi Gersonidis et Rabbi Menachem Meiri. [Colophon :] 
In domo egregii Don Samuelis Dortas. e regione longinqua, 
opera intelligentis filii ejus Abrahami, jussu et sumptibus 
R. Salomonis Kolodri, absoluta denique I. die mensis av, anno 
et venient vel Sion in cantico son V. cclii. [A. D. 1492.] 
Folio, 226 leaves. 
In the colophon of this work, the place of printing is not mentioned ; but 
it is generally conceded by bibliographers that it is the first book of the 
Leiria press, and that Abraham, son of Don Samuel Dortas, was its 
printer. 
1492 
BRAGA. 
Breviarium Bracharense. [Colophon:] Impressum in Augusta 
Bracharensi civitate, per magistrum Joannem Gherlinc alema- 
num, anno . . . . m cccc xciv. Folio. 
No other book is known to have been printed at Braga during the 
fifteenth century. 
1494 MONTENEGRO. 
CETINGE. 
Okoih iliti osmoglasnik .... Cetinge, Macario, 1494. Folio, 
2 70 pages. 
A Dalmatian by the name of Macario was probably the only printer of 
Montenegro before the end of the fifteenth century. From the fact that his 
types resemble those which had been used by several printers who had 
presses at Venice, it has been inferred that he learned his art there. Two 
other books bearing his name were issued at Cetinge in 1495. 
1494 ILLUSTRATIONS. 
No. of Plate. Date. No. of Cities, etc. 
i. Laugingen .... 1473 . . .10 
2. Ulm 1473 . . . 11 
3. Breslau 1475 . . .15 
4. Rostock .... 1476 . ... 18 
5. Eichstadt .... 1478 . . .21 
6. Memmingen .... 1482 ... 30 
7. Heidelberg .... 1485 . . .32 
8. Ingolstadt .... 1487 ... 36 
9. Offenburg .... 1496 . . .46 
10. Munich 1497 ... 47 
11. Subiaco 1465 . . .51 
12. Venice 1469 ... 53 
13. Foligno 1470 . . .54 
14. Milan 1471 ... 57 
15. Polliano 1476 . . .87 
16. Cividad di Friuli . . 1480 ... 97 
17. Aquila 1482 . . .103 
18. Chiavasco or Chivasso . i486 . . .108 
19. SCANDIANO .... 1495 • • .118 
20. WlNTERBERG .... 1484 . . 124 
21. BESANgON 1487 . . .151 
22. Dijon ..... 1491 . . .157 
23. Avignon 1497 • • .165 
24. Perigueux .... 1498 . . .166 
25. Klosterneuburg . . . 1484 . . .219 ABSTRACT OF PLACES AND PRINTERS, 
FOLLOWING THE CHRONOLOGICAL ARRANGEMENT OF THE BODY OF THE WORK. 
This list gives in a column of Roman numerals the total number of cities, etc., where 
presses were established before the end of the fifteenth century, and in a separate 
column in Arabic numerals the number of cities, etc., of each country; and also, 
when known, the names of the earliest printers are given, and dates of the first 
books. The pages indicated refer to the body of the work. 
I. GERMANY. 
PAGE 
I. i. MENTZ. 1450-1456 (Nov. 15, 1454). . 1 
Johannes Gutenberg. 
IL 2. STRASBURG. 1459-60. ... 2 
Johannes Mentelin. 
III. 3. BAMBERG. 1461. . .... 3 
Albrecht Pfister. 122 
ABSTRACT OF PLACES AND PRINTERS. 
PAGE 
IV. 4. COLOGNE. 1466 4 
Uldaricus Zell de Hanau. 
V. 5. ELTVILLE. 1467 4 
Heinrich and Nicklaus Bechtermiintze. 
VI. 6. AUGSBURG. 1468 5 
Gunther Zeiner. 
VII. 7. NUREMBERG. 1470. ... 5 
Joannis Sensenchmid, de Egra; Henricus Kefer, de Moguntia. 
VIII. 8. SPIRE. 1471 6 
Petrus Drach, Spirensis. 
IX. 9. ESSLINGEN. 1472 6 
Conradus Fyner, de Gerhussen. 
X. 10. LAUGINGEN. 1473. ... 6 
Unknown. 
XL 11. ULM. 1473 7 
Johannes Zeiner, de Reutlingen (Ludovicus Hohenwang). 
XII. 12. MERSEBURG. 1473. ... 7 
Luca Brandis. 
XIII. 13. MARIENTHAL. 1474. ... 8 
Fratres Vitae Communis (Brothers of Common Life.) 
XIV. 14. LUBECK. 1475 8 
Lucas Brandis, de Schass. 
XV. 15. BRESLAU. 1475 9 
Cunradus Elyas, Succentor. PAGE 
XVI. 16. BLAUBEUREN. 1475. ... 9 
Conradus Manc^. 
XVII. 17. BURGDORF. 1475 10 
Unknown. 
XVIII. 18. ROSTOCK. 1476. ... 10 
Fratres Vitae Communis (Brothers of Common Life). 
XIX. 19. REICHENSTEIN. 1477. ... 10 
Unknown. 
XX. 20. SCHUSSENRIED. 1478. . . 11 
Unknown. 
XXL 21. EICHSTADT. 1478-79. . . .11 
Michael Reyser. 
XXII. 22. WURZBURG. 1479. ... 12 
Stephanas Dold, Georgius (Jeorius) Reyser, and Joh. Bekenhub. 
XXIII. 23. ERFURT. 1479 12 
Paulu Wider de Hornbach. 
XXIV. 24. PASSAU. 1481 13 
Conradus Stahel, Benedictus Mayr. 
XXV. 25. LEIPSIC. 1481. . 13 
Marcus Brand, or Brandis, or Conradus Kacheloven, or 
Kachelosen. 
XXVI. 26. MAGDEBURG. 1481. ... 13 
Bartholomeus Ghotan. 
XXVII. 27. TREVES. 1481. ... . .14 
Unknown. 
ABSTRACT OF PLACES AND PRINTERS. 
123 124 
ABSTRACT OF PLACES AND PRINTERS. 
PAGE 
XXVIII. 28. URACH. 1481 14 
Conradus Fyner, de Gerhussen. 
XXIX. 29. REUTLINGEN. 1482. ... 14 
Johannes Otmar. 
XXX. 30. MEMMINGEN. 1482. ... 15 
Albertus Kunne, de Duderstat. 
XXXI. 31. METZ. 1482 15 
Johannes Colini, Gehardus de Nona Ciuitate. 
XXXII. 32. HEIDELBERG. 1485. . . . 15 
Henricus Knoblocht^er or Freidericus Misch. 
XXXIII. 33. REGENSBURG or RATISBON. 1485. 16 
Johannes Sensenschmidt, Johannes Beckenhaub. 
XXXIV. 34. MUNSTER, i486. ... 16 
Johannes Limburgus. 
XXXV. 35. STUTTGART, i486. . . .17 
Unknown. 
XXXVI. 36. INGOLSTADT. 1487. . . 17 
Johanes Kachelosen, or Kacheloven. 
XXXVII. 37. STENDAL. 1488 17 
Joachim Westfael. 
XXXVIII. 38. HAGENAU: 1489. ... 18 
Henricus Grau. 
XXXIX. 39. HAMBURG. 1491 18 
Joannes et Thomas Borchard. ABSTRACT OF PLACES AND PRINTERS. 
125 
PAGE 
XL. 40. ZINNA. 1492. .... 19 
Unknown. 
XLI. 41. LUNEBURG. 1493 19 
Johannes Luce. 
XLII. 42. FRIBOURG. 1493. ... 19 
Fredericus Riedrer. 
XLIII. 43. OPPENHEIM. 1494. ... 20 
Unknown. 
XLIV. 44. FREISINGEN. 1495. ... 20 
Johannes Schoeffler. 
XLV. 45. FREYBERG. 1495 21 
Conradus Kachelosen or Kacheloven. 
XLVI. 46. OFFENBURG. 1496. . . : 21 
Unknown. 
XLVII. 47. MUNICH. 1497. . . . .21 
Johannes Schopsser. 
XLVIII. 48. TUBINGEN. 1498 22 
Johanne Ottmar, Othmar, or Otmar. 
XLIX. 49- OLMUTZ. 1500 22 
Conradus Bomgarten, or Baumgarten. 
L. 50. PFORZHEIM. 1500. ... 23 
Thomas Anselmus, Badensis. 126 
ABSTRACT OF PLACES AND PRINTERS. 
II. ITALY. 
PAGE 
LI. i. SUBIACO. 1465 25 
Conrad Sweynheim, Arnoldus Pannartj. 
LIL 2. ROME. 1467 26 
Coradus Sweynheim, Arnoldus Pannart^. 
LIII. 3. VENICE. 1469 26 
Joannes de Spira. 
LIV. 4. FOLIGNO. 1470 27 
Johannes Numeister, Clericus Moguntinus. 
LV. 5. TREVI. 1470 27 
Joannes Reynard, Alemannus. 
LVI. 6. FERRARA. 1471 28 
Andreas Belfortis Gallus. 
LVII. 7. MILAN. 1471 28 
Antonio Zarotho, or Zarotus. (Phil, de Lavagna.) 
LVIII. 8. BOLOGNA. 1471. .... 29 
Balthesar A^oguidus. 
LIX. 9. NAPLES. 1471 29 
Sixtus Riessinger, Presbyter Argentin. 
LX. 10. PAVIA. 1471. .... 29 
Antonius de Carcano, Mediolanensis. ABSTRACT OF FLACES AND PRINTERS. 
127 
PAGE 
LXI. ii. SAVIGLIANO. 1471. ... 30 
Johannes Glim (or Chris. Beyamum). 
LXII. 12. TREVISO. 1471 30 
Gerardus de Lisa de Flandria. 
LXIII. 13. FLORENCE. 1471-72. ... 30 
Bernardus Cennius, Aurifex Florentinus. 
LXIV. 14. CREMONA. 1472 31 
Dionysius de Paravesino, Stephanus de Merlinis, de Leucho. 
LXV. 15. PADUA. 1472. . . . . -31 
Martinus de Septem Arboribus, Prutenus (Bartholomaeus de 
Vai de Zocchio, Patavus). 
LXVI. 16. JESI. 1472. ..... 32 
Frederico (di Verona). 
LXVII. 17. PARMA. 1472 32 
Andreas Portilia, Parmensis. 
LXVIII. 18. MONDOVI, or MONREALE. 1472. 33 
Antonius Mathias, Antwerpiensis. 
LXIX. 19. BRESCIA. 1472 33 
Thomasi Ferrando. 
LXX. 20. FIVIZZANO. 1472. 33 
Jacobus Lunensis de Fivizzano. 
LXXI. 21. MANTUA. 1472 34 
Georgius et Paulus de Put^bach, or Butzbach Adjuvante Columbino 
Veronensi (et Petrus Adam de Michaelibus civis Mantuanus). 128 
ABSTRACT OF PLACES AND PRINTERS. 
PAGE 
LXXII. 22. SANT' ORSO, or SANT' URSINO. 
1472 34 
Leonardus Achates, de Basilea. 
LXXIII. 23. VERONA. 1472 35 
Johannes Veronensis. 
LXXIV. 24. MESSINA. 1473 35 
Mastro Rigo alamania (Heinrick Aiding). 
LXXV. 25. GENOA. 1474 36 
Matthias Moravus de Olmutz et Michael de Monacho. 
LXXVI. 26. COMO. 1474 36 
Ambrosius de Orcho, Dyonisius de Paravesino. 
LXXVII. 27. SAVONA. 1474 37 
Conventus S. Augustini Frater Bonus Johannes. 
LXXVIII. 28. TURIN. 1474 37 
lohannes Fabri Lingonensis (Jean Lefevre) et Johannes de Prato. 
LXXIX. 29. VICENZA. 1474 37 
Maestro Leonardo da Basilia (Joh. de Rheno). 
LXXX. 30. MODENA. 1475 38 
Johannes Vurster, de Campidona. 
LXXXI. 31. REGGIO in CALABRIA. 1475. . 38 
Abraham Ben Garton. Filius Isaac Abraham. 
LXXXII. 32. PIEVE DI SACCO. 1475. . . 38 
R(abbi) Mescultam Cognomine Kosi. 129 
PAGE 
LXXXIII. 33. CAGLI. 1475 39 
Robertas de Fano, Bernardinus de Bergamo. 
LXXXIV. 34. CASELLE, or Casale (near Turin). 
1475 39 
Johannes Fabri (Jean Lefevre). 
LXXXV. 35. PERUGIA. 1475 40 
Heinrich Clayn, Ulmensis. 
LXXXVI. 36. PIACENZA. 1475. ... 40 
Johannes Petrus d' Ferratis Cremonensis. 
LXXXVII. 37. POLLIANO. 1476 40 
Innocens Ziletus et Felix Antiquarius. 
LXXXVIII. 38. LUCCA. 1477 41 
Bartholomeus de Civitali. 
LXXXIX. 39. ASCOLL 1477 14 
Golielmo de Linis de Alamania. 
XC. 40. PALERMO. 1477 42 
Andreas de Wormacia. 
XCI. 41. COLLE. 1478 42 
Johannes allemanus de Medemblick. 
XCII. 42. COSENZA. 1478 42 
Ottoviano Salamonio de Manfredonia. 
XCIII. 43. TOSCOLANO. 1479. ... 43 
Gabriel Petri, Tarvisinus. 
ABSTRACT OF PLACES AND PRINTERS. 130 
ABSTRACT OF PLACES AND PRINTERS. 
PAGE 
XCIV. 44. PINEROLO. 1479. ... 43 
Jacobus de Rubeis, Gallicum. 
XCV. 45. NOVI. 1479 43 
Nicalao Ghirardengo. 
XCVI. 46. NONANTOLA. 1480. . . . 44 
Georgius et Antonius ffes d' Mischmis. 
XCVII. 47. FRIAUL, or Cividad di Friuli. 1480. 44 
Gerardi de Flandria. 
XCVIII. 48. REGGIO in MODENA. 1480. . 45 
Bartholomaeus et Laurentius de Bruschis fratres. 
XCIX. 49. CASALE-CASAL di SAN-VASO. 
1481 45 
Gulielmus de Canepa-nova, de Campanilibus de 
Sancto-Salvatore. 
C. 50. SALUZZO. 1481. .... 45 
Martini de la Valle. 
CI. 51. PISA. 1482. 46 
Laurentius et Angelus, Florentini. 
CII. 52. AQUILA. 1482. . . . . 46 
Adam de Rotwil, Alamano. 
CIII. 53. UDINE. 1484 46 
Gerardo de fiandra (Flanderia). 
CIV. 54. SIENA. 1484 47 
Henricus de Colonia et Socios. PAGE 
CV. 55. SONCINO. 1484 47 
Joshua Solomon et Israel Nathan. 
CVI. 56. PESCIA. 1485 48 
Francesco Cenni, Fiorentino. 
CVII. 57. VERCELLI. 1485 48 
Jacob de Suico de Sancto Germano. 
CVIII. 58. CHIAVASCO or Chivasso. i486. . 48 
Jacobinus de Suigo de Sancto Germano. 
CIX. 59. VOGHERA. i486. . . . .49 
Jacobus de Sancto Nazario de Rippa. 
CX. 60. CASAL MAGGIORE, i486. . 49 
Josue et Moise, filius Rabbi Israel Nathan. 
CXI. 61. GAETA. 1487 49 
Andreas Fritag, Freytag, Alemanus. 
CXII. 62. VITERBO. 1488 50 
Unknown. 
CXIII. 63. GRADISCA. 1488 50 
Unknown. 
CXIV. 64. PORTESIO. 1489-90 50 
Bartholomaeus Zanni. 
CXV. 65. NOZANO. 1491 51 
Henrico de Colonia et Henrico de Harlem. 
CXVI. 66. URBINO. 1493 51 
Henricus de Colonia. 
ABSTRACT OF PLACES AND PRINTERS. 
131 132 
PAGE 
CXVII. 67. ACQUI. 1493 52 
Unknown. 
CXVIII. 68. SCANDIANO. 1495. ... 52 
Peregreni Pasquali. 
CXIX. 69. FORLI. 1495 52 
Pauli Guarini de Guarinis et Joanis Jacobus de Benedictis. 
CXX. 70. BARCO. 1497. • • • • 53 
Gersom filii . . . R. Mosis Mentzlen Sontzin. 
CXXI. 71. CARMAGNOLA. 1497. ... 53 
Unknown. 
III. BOHEMIA. 
CXXII. 1. PILSEN. 1468 55 
Unknown. 
CXXIIL 2. PRAGUE. 1478 56 
Jan Pytlik, Seweyrn Kramar, Jan od Capu, et matej od bileho Iwa. 
CXXIV. 3. WINTERBERG. 1484 ... 56 
Johannes Alacraw. 
CXXV. 4. KUTTENBERG. 1489. ... 56 
Martina z Tissnowa. 
ABSTRACT OF PLACES AND PRINTERS. ABSTRACT OF PLACES AND PRINTERS. 
133 
IV. SWITZERLAND. 
PAGE 
CXXVI. I. BALE. 1468 57 
Bertholdus Ruppel, de Hanau. 
CXXVII. 2. BEROMUNSTER. 1470. ... 58 
Helyas Helye, alias de Louffen, Canonicus. 
CXXVIII. 3. GENEVA. 1478 59 
Adam Steynschawer. 
CXXIX. 4. PROMENTOUR, or Promenthoux. 1482. 59 
Loys Guerbin. 
CXXX. 5. LAUSANNE. 1493. ... 59 
Johannis Belot. 
CXXXI. 6. TROGEN. 1497 60 
Unknown. 
CXXXII. 7. SURSEE, or SURZE. 1500. . . 60 
Unknown. 
V. FRANCE. 
CXXXIII. 1. PARIS. 1470 61 
Udalricus Gering, Martinus Crantj, et Michael Friburger. 
CXXXIV. 2. LYONS. 1473 62 
Bartholomaeus Buyer, Lugdunensis. 134 
abstract of places and printers. 
PAGE 
CXXXV. 3. ANGERS. 1476 62 
Johannes de Turre et Joh. Morelli. 
CXXVL 4. TOULOUSE. 1476. ... 63 
Jo. Parix de Alemania. 
CXXXVII. 5. CHABLIS. 1478 63 
Pierre le Rouge. 
CXXXVIIL 6. VIENNE (DAUPHINE). 1478. . 63 
Johannes Solidi. 
CXXXIX. 7. POITIERS. 1479 64 
Johannes Buyer, Wilhelm Bouchet. 
CXL. 8. CAEN. 1480 64 
Jacobus Durandas et Egidiu qui ioue (Gilles Quijone). 
CXLI. 9. ROUGEMONT. 1481. ... 64 
Unknown. 
CXLII. 10. CHARTRES. 1483. . . . 65 
Jean Du Pre. 
CXLIII. 11. CHALONS-sur-MARNE. 1483. . 66 
Arnolphe Bocquillon. 
CXLIV. 12. TROYES. 1483 66 
Pierre ou Jehan Le Rouge. 
CXLV. 13. RENNES. 1484 66 
Pierre Bellescullee et Josses. 
CXLVI. 14. LOUDEAC. 1484 67 
Robin Foucquet et Jehan Cre$. PAGE 
CXLVII. 15. TREGUIER or Lantreguet. 1485. 67 
" la. P." Full name unknown. 
CXLVIII. 16. SALINS. 1485 68 
Jean Despres (or Dresprels). 
CXLIX. 17. ABBEVILLE, i486 68 
Pierre Gerard (or Jehan Dupre). 
CL. 18. ROUEN. 1487. .... 69 
" N. D. H."-Noel de Harsy. 
CLI. 19. BESANfON. 1487. . . . .69 
Petrus Metlinger. 
CLII. 20. ORLEANS. 1490. .... 70 
Mathieu Vivian. 
CLIII. 21. GRENOBLE. 1490. . . . . 70 
Stephanus Foreti. 
CLIV. 22. DOLE. 1490. ..... 71 
Pierre Metlinger. 
CLV. 23. GOUPILLIERES. 1491. ... 71 
Michel Andrieu pretre. 
CLVI. 24. ANGOULEME. 1491. ... 71 
Unknown. 
CLVII. 25. DIJON. 1491. . . . *. .72 
Petrus Metlinger. 
CLVIIL 26. LANTENAC. 1491. ... 72 
Jehan Cres. 
ABSTRACT OF PLACES AND PRINTERS. 
135 136 
ABSTRACT OF PLACES AND PRINTERS. 
PAGE 
CLIX. 27. TOURS. 1493 72 
Symon Pourcelet. 
CLX. 28. MACON. 1493 73 
Michael Vensler de Basilea. 
CLXL 29. NANTES. 1493 73 
Estienne Larcher. 
CLXII. 30. CLUNY. 1493 74 
Michael Wensler, de Basilea. 
CLXIII. 31. LIMOGES. 1495 74 
Johannes Berton. 
CLXIV. 32. PROVINS. 1496 75 
Guillaume Tavernier. 
CLXV. 33. AVIGNON. 1497 75 
Nicolai Tepe. 
CLXVI. 34. PERIGNEUX. 1498. ... 75 
Johannes Carant. 
CLXVII. 35. PERPIGNAN. 1500 76 
Johannes Rosembach. 
CLXVIII. 36. VALENCIENNES. 1500. . . 76 
Jehan de Liege. 
VI. HOLLAND. 
CLXIX. 1. UTRECHT. 1473 77 
Nycolaus Ketelaer, Gherardus de Leempt. ABSTRACT OF PLACES AND PRINTERS. 
137 
PAGE 
CLXX. 2. DELFT. 1477 78 
Jacobs soen eh MauriciusYemants zoen Van Middleborch. 
CLXXI. 3. GOUDA. 1477 78 
Gheraert Leeu. 
CLXXII. 4. DEVENTER. 1477. ... 78 
Richard Paffrord, or Rijkert Paffroet, de Colonia. 
CLXXIII. 5. ST. MARTINSDYKE. 1478. . . 79 
Pieter Werrecoren. 
CLXXIV. 6. NIMWEGEN. 1479. . . . 79 
Gerard Leempt. 
CLXXV. 7. ZWOLLE. 1479 80 
Peter Van Os (Joh. de Vallenhoe). 
CLXXVI. 8. HASSELT. 1480 80 
Peregrinus Barmentloe. 
CLXXVII. 9. CULEMBOURG. 1483. ... 81 
Johannes Veldenei. 
CLXXVIII. 10. LEYDEN. 1483 81 
Heynricus Heynrici. 
CLXXIX. 11. HARLEM. 1483 81 
Jacob Bellaert. 
CLXXX. 12. BOIS-le-DUC or S'herzogenbusch. 1484. 82 
Gerard Leempt. 138 
PAGE 
CLXXXL 13. SCHOONHOVEN. 1494. . . .82 
Les Chanoines Regulers du Monastere de S. Michel, dans le Hem. 
CLXXXII. 14. SCHIEDAM. 1498. . . . 82 
Unknown. 
VII. BELGIUM. 
CLXXXIII. 1. ALOST. 1473 83 
Johannis de Westfalia, Theodoricus Martinus (Martens). 
CLXXXIV. 2. LOUVAIN. 1474 83 
Joannes de Westfalia. 
CLXXXV. 3. BRUGES. 1475 84 
Colard Mansion. 
CLXXXVI. 4. BRUSSELS. 1476. ... 84 
Fratres Vitae Communis (Brothers of Common Life). 
CLXXXVII. 5. AUDENARDE, or Oudenarde. 1480. 85 
Arnoldus Caesaris (Arend de Keyser). 
CLXXXVIII. 6. ANTWERP. 1482. ... 85 
Mathias van der Goes. 
CLXXXIX. 7. GHENT. 1483. .... 86 
Arnoldus Caesaris (Arend de Keyser). 
/ 
VIII. HUNGARY. 
CXC. 1. BUDE. 1473. .... 87 
Andreas Hess. 
ABSTRACT OF PLACES AND PRINTERS. ABSTRACT OF PLACES AND PRINTERS. 
139 
IX. SPAIN. 
PAGE 
CXCI. i. VALENCIA. 1474 89 
Lambert Palomar (Palmart). 
CXCII. 2. SARAGOSSA. 1475. . . . 89 
Matthei Fland' (Mathias of Flanders). 
CXCIII. 3. SEVILLE. 1477 90 
Anton Martines e Bartholome e Alphonso del Puerto. 
CXCIV. 4. BARCELONA. 1478. ... 90 
Pere Bruno y Nicolau Spindeler, Alemanijs. 
CXCV. 5. LERIDA. 1479. . . . . .91 
Henrico Botel de Saxonia. 
CXCVI. 6. SEGORBE. 1479 91 
Unknown. 
CXCVII. 7. TOLEDO. 1480 91 
Joannes Vasqui (Vasquez). 
CXCVIII. 8. SALAMANCA. 1481. ... 92 
Arnaldo (Arnao) de Brocar et Juan de Brocar. 
CXCIX. 9. ZAMORA. 1482 92 
Anton de Centenera. 
CC. 10. GERONA. 1483. 93 
Matheu Vendrell. 
CCI. 11. BURGOS. 1485 93 
Fredericus de Basilea. 140 
ABSTRACT OF PLACES AND PRINTERS. 
PAGE 
CCII. 12. PALMA. 1485. .... 93 
Nicolai Califati. 
CCIII. 13. XERES. 1485 94 
Unknown. 
CCIV. 14. MURCIA. 1487 94 
Lope de la Roca, Aleman. 
CCV. 15. SAN CUCUFAT, or San Colgat 
des Valles. 1489. . . -95 
Unknown. 
CCVI. 16. CORIA. 1489. .... 95 
Bartoleme de Lila, Flameco. 
CCVII. 17. PAMPLONA. 1489. ... 95 
Arnaldo Guillen de Brocar. 
CCVIII. 18. TOLOSA. 1489 96 
Henricus Mayer. 
CCIX. 19. VALLADOLID. 1492. ... 96 
Juan de Froncourt. 
CCX. 20. CAGLIARI. 1493 96 
Nicolau Degreda, Aragones. 
CCXI. 21. MONTEREY. 1494 97 
Gundisalvi Rodericide la Passera, Johannis de Porres. 
CCXII. 22. GRANADA. 1496 97 
Meynardo Ungut e Jhoanes de Nureberga, Alemanes. 
CCXIII. 23. TARRAGONA. 1498. ... 98 
Johannes Rosembach, Alemanu. ABSTRACT OF PLACES AND PRINTERS. 
141 
PAGE 
CCXIV. 24. MONASTERIO de NUESTRA SENORA 
de MONTSERRAT. 1499. . . 98 
Johannes Luschner, Alemanns. 
CCXV. 25. MADRID. 1499 99 
Fernando de Jahen. 
CCXVI. 26. JAEN. 1500 99 
Unknown. 
X. AUSTRIA. 
CCXVII. 1. TRENT, or TRIENT. 1475. . . 101 
Albertus (Kunne) Duderstat. 
CCXVIII. 2. VIENNA. 1482 101 
Johannes Winterberger. 
CCXIX. 3. KLOSTERNEUBURG. 1484. . . 102 
Unknown. 
CCXX. 4. BRUNN, i486 102 
Conradus Stahel. 
XI. POLAND. 
CCXXI. 1. CRACOW, or CRACOVIA. 1475. . 103 
Sweybold Veyl. 
XII. ENGLAND. 
CCXXII. 1. WESTMINSTER. 1477. . . 105 
William Caxton. 142 
PAGE 
CCXXIIL 2. OXFORD. 1478 106 
Theodoricus Rood. 
CCXXIV. 3. SAINT ALBANS. 1480. . . 106 
" School-master of St. Albans." 
XIII. SAVOY. 
CCXXV. I. ALBI. 1481 107 
Johannes Numeister. 
CCXXVI. 2. CHAMBERY. 1484. ... 108 
Anthoine Neyret. 
XIV. DENMARK. 
CCXXVII. I. ODENSEE. 1482 109 
Johannes Snel. 
CCXXVIIL 2. SCHLESWIG, i486. ... 109 
Stephani Arndes. 
CCXXIX. 3. COPENHAGEN. 1493. • • -no 
Gouveart Van Gheman. 
XV. SWEDEN. 
CCXXX. I. STOCKHOLM. 1483. . . . m 
Johanen Snell. 
CCXXXI. 2. WADSTEN. 1495 112 
Unknown. 
ABSTRACT OF PLACES AND PRINTERS. ABSTRACT OF PLACES AND PRINTERS. 
143 
XVI. TURKEY. 
PAGE 
CCXXXII. I. CONSTANTINOPLE. 1488. . 113 
Rabbi Gersom. 
XVII. PORTUGAL. 
CCXXXIIL I. LISBON. 1489 115 
Rabbi Zorba, Raban Eliezer. 
CCXXXIV. 2. LEIRIA. 1492 116 
Abraham filii Don Samuelis Dortas. 
CCXXXV. 3. BRAGA. 1494 116 
Joannes Gherlinc. 
XVIII. MONTENEGRO. 
CCXXXVI. I. CETINGE. 1494. 117 
Marcario. CORRECTIONS. 
Marienthal, page 8. According to Campbell, the Brussels chapter of " The 
Brothers of Common Life," between May 25, 1476, and 1487, issued 
thirty-six books, twelve of which were dated. 
Messina, page 35. Panzer, without qualification, spates that Mastro Rigo and 
Aiding were the same. He accepts as his authority an account of 
Aiding contained in a work of J. Petrus Apulus, printed by Andreas de 
Bruges at Messina in 1497. The first two books of that city - one of 
1473, the other of 1478 - are explicit as to the name of the printer. In 
each he is " Mastro Rigo dalmania." If, as asserted, Aiding was the 
printer of these books, why did he not give his German name ? Rigo 
is the Italian word for line, while Aiding was and is a common Ger- 
man name; between the two there can be no possible analogy. In the 
third book of Messina (Psalterium, 1478), we find the name " Henricum 
Aiding " given in full for the only time in that city. 
Albi, page 107. In putting together the manuscript for the printer an 
inexcusable blunder was perpetrated. The titles were copied by one 
hand, and the notes written by another upon separate slips of paper. In 
this instance the copyist took the title of the book from the work of some 
writer who had assigned it to Albi, Savoy, while the note was written 
from information obtained from a work of M. Claudin, giving it to the 
first press at Albi, in Languedoc, France. This book in its correct 
chronological position would be No. 9, of France, the number erroneously 
given to Rougemont. According to M. Claudin, the work in question is 
a quarto having thirty leaves and thirty-three engravings, and the 
following title, viz.: 
Meditationes Reueredissimi patris et dni dni Johanis de Turrecremata. 
(Colophon:) Expliciunt Meditationes reueredissimi patris et dnidni Johannis 
de Turrecremata sacro sancte Romane ecclesie Cardinalis Impresse albie. 
Anno domini Mil. cccc. octuagesimo primo. Et die xvii mensis nouembris. 
DeO GrAtiAS. AMEN. 
Bale, page 57. Fourth line of title, for " Balileae " read Basileae. 
Klosterneuburg, page 102. Omit the word " Colophon" from the title. 
[I am under obligations to Mr. T. L. De Vinne for the active interest he has taken in 
the preparation of this work, as well as for the personal supervision he has given to its 
execution. In many instances I have found his advice of great assistance. To Monsieur 
A. Claudin, of Paris, who has furnished me with valuable information from his great store 
of bibliographical knowledge, I am also very thankful.] Press of Theo. L. De Vinne & Co. New-York.