About This Era and its Books
I am pleased to be able to present a sampling of original leaves from the first full century in which the art of printing was practiced in Europe. There is a wide variety of material to choose from in this catalog. Included are leaves representatives of some of the greatest early printing houses, and offering a wide variety of subjects, typefaces, and languages. All have been selected for their excellence as collectors' items.

Gutenberg's invention of the printing press in 1455 revolutionized communication and book production. The new art of printing spread with amazing rapidity from Germany across Europe, disseminated by emigrating German printers, and their foreign apprentices. The invention of printing changed literally everything in the western world. It produced the explosion of knowledge that led to unimaginable advances in the development of universal literacy, science, trade, travel, and commerce, and most notably it fanned the flame of freedom that had flickered so low for so long after the collapse of Ancient civilization.

For more information about early printing and how to collect and care for leaves, select here.

About The Leaves in This Catalog
All leaves in this catalog are unconditionally guaranteed to be genuine and correctly described and attributed. Each leaf comes with a complete written identification, certifying authenticity and specifying complete bibliographical data (author, title, date and place of printing and printer) plus other relevant descriptive and historical information and attribution as applicable to the standard histories of early books.

Each catalog item consists of a typical leaf from the selected work. Content of the individual leaves is of my choice as available in my stock. You may order multiples examples of leaves if desired, as I have a good number of each item currently in stock. There will be no duplication of content. Some catalog listings are one of a kind, as noted in the descriptions.

No complete books were vandalized to obtain these fine leaves. Rather, signatures or individual pages were rescued from books that were incomplete, or otherwise defective, in accordance with the generally accepted principles of the antiquarian book trade, which state " if a book is already incomplete, it is considered acceptable to remove and sell parts of the book." Edwin V. Glaser, quoted in A B Bookman's Weekly.

Don't be astonished by my low prices, these are the finest quality original leaves that are obtainable, and which you might find elsewhere priced at much greater cost. It is my policy to price my items based on what I believe to be their fair market value. I do not set prices at absurdly inflated levels to take advantage of novices or "investors"; nor do I employ the common ploy of starting with an unrealistically high price in order to "negotiate" a phony discount later. It has always been my policy to present my catalog items at "wholesale to the public" prices. Therefore all catalog items and quoted prices are net, and are not subject to further discount, either for dealers or in consideration of quantity orders. As over a third of our catalog orders are from dealers buying for resale, at our stated prices, we have every confidence that this policy maintains an ethical standard of integrity and fairness to all.

The large photos on the right-hand side of the page are not of items for sale. They are provided to give a sense of the world from which these ancient leaves have survived, and are from contemporary engravings which depict printing presses of this period, engravers, paper-makers, and other activities associated with the early book trade.

Some Terms Used to Describe Early Leaves See also my Glossary of Terms Page

• Text Leaf. A leaf from the main body of the book, containing the author’s text. The usual format is single or double columns of text, quite often accompanied by printed sidenotes in the margins. Most often seen at this era in Roman typeface, though Black letter and Italic are sometimes employed. Universally printed in black ink, some leaves feature initials or passages also printed in red, quite a marvel of technology at this time, and highly prized today.

• Initial Leaf. A leaf from the main body of the work, decorated with an Initial letter. Uncial initials are larger letters usually in a contrasting typeface and sometimes printed in red (whence our term “red letter day” comes from this usage in early Books of Hours). Historiated initials are those featuring elaborate engarved decorative borders or illustrationss around the letter, and are highly collectible works of art in miniature.

• Index Leaf. A leaf from the book’s index, or table of contents. Not considered as desirable as a leaf from the body of the book, still a most affordable means of obtaining an original example of the work of the earliest printers, as these pages were printed with no less attention to quality than the main part of the work.

• Illustration leaf. A leaf having an engraved picture of the matter discussed in the body of the work. Most often seen are woodcuts, though the more sophisticated and detail copperplate engravings are sometimes employed, particularly for folding “plate” illustrations. Extremely collectible, perhaps the most highly sought for framed display.

• Map leaf. A leaf having a map of the place discussed in the body of the work. Most highly prized leaves. The revival of geography began in the mid-16th century in Europe and all period map leaves are extremely collectible today and much sought-after.

Pictures of Cataloged Items
Digital photos are available of the items in this catalog. To view them, click on the small thumbnail illustration in the item description. You will then see on your screen a full-size version of that illustration. You can return to the catalog by using your browser's "BACK" command. All illustrations are of actual specimens being offered for sale, and were chosen as most representative of the items. The photos may depict a full leaf, a grouping of leaves, or a detail close-up. All leaves are complete and undamaged as noted.

Please note that the camera flash tends to exaggerate foxing and spotting, some degree of which is normal in old paper and which is not so dramatic in person!

How to Order from This Catalog My catalogs use a "shopping cart" system, which will take you from each catalog to a confirmation page and when you are ready, to the order checkout page. To use it, please be sure the "javascript" and "accept cookies" functions are enabled in your browser. To order a catalog item, please enter the quantity of leaves you want in the box in each item's description, then press the "Add to Cart" button. Some items are one of a kind and do not have a quantity option; for these simply press the "Add to Cart" button.. You will then see your "shopping basket" and its contents and total. You may remove selected items at any time, and use your browser's "Forward" button to view the cart page whenever you wish, and your "Back" button to return to the catalogs. When you are ready to place your order, simply click "submit" on the completed shopping cart checkout page, and it will be e-mailed to me. As soon as I receive your order, I will confirm the availability of your selections via return e-mail, with your invoice for the total amount due, and I will reserve your confirmed selections for receipt of payment. I accept checks, money orders, and all credit cards through PayPal, the free, safest Internet payment service. If you choose this payment option on your order form, I will request PayPal to send you a bill for the amount of your confirmed order. As soon as your payment is received, I will ship your order to you. Postage per order addressed within the United States is just $4.75. Regrettably I must decline international orders due to recent huge increases in costs and customs requirements. There is a seven day return privilege on all items.

Your comments are always welcome, as are your inquiries, if you have questions about these remarkable historic collectibles. We value our customers, and appreciate the confidence you place in us when ordering from our on line catalogs. We strive to merit your patronage and to enrich your collecting experience through accurate, knowledgeable descriptions, honest pricing, courteous service, and timely order filling. Our Glossary of terms web page may be reviewed for definitions of the descriptive terminology used in our catalogs and in the rare book trade generally. You can go to our e-mail want list form for special requests. Enjoy your browsing!

Fabyan's Chronicle: the History of England LF-2205. TYPICAL TEXT LEAVES from Robert Fabyan's The Chronycle, printed at London, England by Richard Grafton for William Bonham in 1542. Folio, 7¾" x 10¼"; double columns of English language text in Black Letter font with sidenotes in Roman Italic and variant typefaces.
This third and extended edition of a "concordaunce of historyes" takes the reader from the Britain's mythical founder to the occupation of the Romans, the rule of Alfred the Great and the compilation of the Domesday Book. The chapters throughout contain poetry, hymns and songs, both in their original Latin, and translated. The work continues into the reigns of Richard I to Henry VIII, and in France Louis X to Charles IX is cast in its English sections in the form of a London Chronicle, of which a number, including "The Great Chronicle", were his principal sources.
A work of seminal importance in English historical study. Fabyan's great history was a source for Polydore Vergil (see item LF-2187 in this catalog), Hall, Grafton, Stow, Holinshed and Shakespeare. Contemporary sections were very possibly aided by Fabyan's own diary (he was a merchant and alderman in the city). The author shows a keen eye for the pageants and ceremonies in London life. In 1533 the printer William Rastell continued the work until the end of Henry VI, possibly using material prepared by Fabyan which had been held over, otherwise using the same sources. Richard Grafton, the publisher of the Coverdale Bible , possibly contributed to writing the life of Henry VIII. D.N.B. notes that this 1542 edition of Fabyan was expurgated "to suit the cause of Protestantism."
References for this leaf: STC 10661. Lowndes 11 p. 773. Ames 111 #1788.
Very good to fine or better condition, an uncommon opportunity to obtain a beautiful English language Chronicle printed in the reign of Henry the Eighth . . . 10.00 Please enter your order quantity:  then press

Splendid Early English Historiation
LF-2206. TYPICAL INITIAL LEAVES from Robert Fabyan's The Chronycle, printed at London, England by Richard Grafton for William Bonham in 1542.
Folio size leaf, 7¾" x 10¼". Double columns of English language text in Black Letter font with sidenotes in Roman Italic and variant typefaces, plus an elaborately historiated large initial letter, four or more lines high. From the same book as above, but featuring a nice large size historiated (decorative) initial letter.
Generally very good with some light foxing or age spots.. . . 15.00 Please enter your order quantity:  then press

Fine Large Folio German Reformation Imprint
LF-2209. TYPICAL TEXT LEAVES from Brenz, Johann, Inscriptum Apostoli et Evangelistae...Commentarius (Commentary upon the Writings of the Apostles and the Evangelists), printed by Ulrich Morhard at Tubingen, Germany in 1547. Folio size, measuring 8" x 12¼". Single column Latin text in Roman Letter type with large Roman Letter page heading.
An early edition of the Scriptural Commentary of the Protestant Reformer Johann Brenz (1499 - 1570). Ordained in 1520, he ceased to perform Catholic rituals three years later, becoming an ardent supporter of Martin Luther and his doctrines. He authored Luther's doctrine of the Eucharist, and opposed the death penalty for "heretics" in a famous 1554 pseudonymous treatise. The present work is beautifully printed in large font letters and is an attractive specimen of 450+ year old printing in the great German university city.
Condition is nice clean Fine, specially priced at just . . . 6.00 Please enter your order quantity:  then press

From a Famed Sixteenth century Cosmography
LF-2213. TYPICAL TEXT LEAVES from Cosmographiae Universalis Libri VI (The Six Books of the Universal Gazetteer of the World), printed by Henricus Peter (Henri Pierre in vernacular) at Basel, Switzerland in 1554.
Folio size, measuring 8" x 12". Single column Latin language text in Roman Letter font. The author of this acclaimed work, Sebastian Muenster (1488 - 1552), was a German cartographer, cosmographer, and scholar of ancient Hebrew.. This work is the earliest German description of the world. One of the most successful and popular books of the 16th century, it went through numerous editions in different languages including the original Latin, and five vernacular translations. It was most important in reviving an interest in geography in 16th century Europe. Nice item.
Condition is nice fine. Price per leaf . . . SOLD

Sixteenth Century German Catholic Liturgical Calendar
LF-2219. TYPICAL TEXT LEAVES from Lanspergius' In Omnes Epistolas et Evangelia..., printed by Johannes Novesianus at Cologne, Germany in 1554.
Folio size, measuring 7¼" x 11". Double columns of Roman Letter Latin language text with sidenotes. Author John Gerecht (1489 - 1539), a German Carthusian monk, was generally known as Lanspergius, a latinization 'of Landsberg', his birthplace. This work comprises paraphrases and homilies on the Epistles and Gospels of the liturgical year, sermons for Sundays and festivals to be used throughout the calendar year, together with the appropriate references to Scripture which require such observances. Lanspergius was renowned also for his discourses on the Life and Passion of Christ, and a variety of treatises, sermons, letters, meditations etc. on subjects pertaining to the spiritual life. The love of God for man, calling for a corresponding love of man for God, is the unifying theme of his writings. He avoided controversy, at the dawn of the Reformation, authoring only two dissertations, against Lutheran errors, from the Catholic point of view, and in defense of the monastic life. Nice example of era printing and traditional spirituality in this divisive era.
Condition is fine. Price per leaf . . . 6.00 Enter your order quantity here:  then press

Hand Ruled in Red Ink
LF-2244. TYPICAL TEXT LEAVES from Q. Horatius Flaccus...Opera...(The Works of Horace), , printed by Jean Macaeus at Paris, France in 1567.
Folio size, measuring 8" x 12½". . Double column Latin text in Roman and Italic type. A nice Parisian printing of the great Roman poet Horace's works, with commentary by Lambini. The son of a former slave, Horace (65 - 8 B.C.), became the most celebrated poet of the Augustan age, and after the death of rival poet Virgil in 19 B.C. acted as poet laureate of the new regime. His works were copied throughout the dark age and quoted by early Christian writers, and are still held in high esteem for their glimpse into the eternal human condition. The text is printed in most handsome high quality typefaces and is entirely surrounded by a border hand ruled in red ink, quite unusual.
Condition is fine with a small mended loss in the wide blank bottom margin affecting nothing. Price per leaf . . . SOLD

Caesar's Commentaries Translated by the Most Influential Western Architect
LF-2249. TYPICAL TEXT LEAVES from Commentari de C. Givlio Cesare....(the Commentaries of Julius Caesar ... translated by Andrea Palladio), , printed by Peter de' Franceshi at Venice, Italy in 1575.
Octavo size, measuring 6" x 8½". Italian language Italic Roman text in single column within sidenotes, all within printed borders. Caesar's Commentaries on the Gallic War and on the Roman Civil War are an outstanding account of extraordinary events by one of the most exceptional men in the history of the world. Julius Caesar himself was one of the most eminent writers of the age in which he lived. His commentaries are famed for their precision and perspicuity, and have been famously termed "elegant without affectation, and beautiful without ornament." This edition was translated into Italian by the famed architect Andrea Palladio (1508 - 1580), who was also an enthusiastic student of classical literature. His highly influential style of architecture, named "Palladian" after him, adhered to classical Roman principles, in the High Renaissance, when classical revivalism was at its peak. Palladio is widely considered the most influential person in the history of Western architecture. First edition, attractive specimen of the late Renaissance printer's art.
Condition is generally quite fine with faint damping in lower margin extremity. Price per leaf . . . 7.50 Enter your order quantity here:  then press

The Counter-Reformation
LF-2250. TYPICAL INITIAL LEAVES from Gerard Jansen, Decem de Ecclesia Tractatus, printed by Martin Cholinus at Cologne, Germany in 1576.
octavo size, measuring 5½" x 7¾". Single column Latin text in large Roman type. This interesting work "of ten tracts on the Church, necessitated by these troubled times" asserts the primacy of the Roman Church now under threat by the Protestant Reformation, explaining away its huge wealth and civil power, tracing its succession from Peter, its Scriptural. legitimacy, etc. Its author Cornelius Jensen the Elder (1510 - 1576) was one of the most distinguished Biblical exegetes (commentators) of his time. In his works he insisted on the literal interpretation of Scriptures, as against the mystical interpretation of his predecessors, and emphasized also the importance of the original text. His son would be the founder of Jansenism. Each leaf has an attractive historiated initial letter.
Condition is fine. Price per leaf . . . 6.50 Enter your order quantity here:  then press

A Fine Early Edition of Petrarch
LF-2275. TYPICAL INITIAL LEAVES from Il Petrarcha. Con l'Epositione de M. Gio Andrea Gesualdo (Petrarch's Works, with Gesualdo's Commentary), printed by Alessandro Griffio at Venice, Italy in 1581. Quarto size, measuring 5/" x 7/". Double columns of Italian language text.
being the body of Petrarch's poetical works surrounded by commentary in smaller Italic type. Four line historiated initial letter on each leaf. Attractive early printing of the works of the great poet Francesco Petrarca (1304 - 1374), the first great humanist and the inaugurator of the Renaissance in Italy. This work contains his Canzoniere, poems in Italian on love, death, fame, Time, etc., with commentary by the noted Renaissance critic. Attractive display leaf. Reference: Adams P833.
Condition is nice very fine, some very faint spotting in margin extremities affecting nothing. . . . 4.75 Please enter your order quantity:  then press

From the Plantin Louvain Bible Folio
LF-2280. TYPICAL TEXT LEAVES from Biblia Sacra, printed by Christopher Plantin at Antwerp, Holland in 1583. Large folio, 11" x 16". Double column Latin text in large Roman type.
This famous edition of the Louvain Bible was used by Cardinals and scholars in the revision of the Latin Vulgate text ordered by Sixtus V. This remarkable large folio Bible is among the finest products of the press of Plantin, the outstanding scholar-printer of the age, during the mature phase of his career, utilizing the superb Roman typeface designed by Pieter Huys.
Fresh clean condition, excellent leaves from this significant edition of the Scriptures and in an attractive oversized format
Condition is fine. Price per leaf . . . . 10.00 Please enter your order quantity:  then press

From A Fine Plantin Hebrew-Latin Bible
LF-2290. TYPICAL TEXT LEAVES (page) from Biblia Hebraica. Eorundum Latina Interpretatio Xantis Pagnini... [The Hebrew Bible, with Latin Text after Pagnini] printed by Christophe Plantin at Antwerp in 1584.
Tall folio 21.5 x 34 cm (8 1/2" x 13 1/2"). Double columns of Hebrew text with sidenotes, interlinear Latin text in a minuscule font beneath. Plantin's printing shop is well known for its output of Bibles in many languages. The present example is based on his great "polyglot Bible" of 1573 which, with the patronage of King Philip II of Spain, became the standard for the original texts. The printing dynasty he founded flourished well into the 17th century, and the original workshop today survives as the Plantin-Moretus Museum. Reference D&M 5106
Condition is quite fine. Price per leaf. . . 12.50Please enter your order quantity:  then press

From the "Hidden" Books of the Bible, Not Printed in Current Editions
LF-2295. TYPICAL TEXT LEAVES from Novum Testamentum Graecum. Cum Vulgata Interpretatione Latina [The New Testament in Greek, with the Latin Vulgate Translation] printed by Christophe Plantin at Antwerp in 1584. Tall folio 21.5 x 34 cm (8 1/2" x 13 1/2").
Double columns of Greek text with sidenotes, interlinear Latin text in a minuscule font beneath. From the same book as the above, but a book of the Apocrypha, which were included as they too were originally written in Greek, which is here interlinear with the Jerome's translation. Nice fine condition, modestly priced examples of a Plantin Biblical folio Bible leaf at just. . . 7.00 Please enter your order quantity:  then press

Reformation-Era Catholic Bible
LF-2328. TYPICAL TEXT LEAVES from Biblia Sacra Secundum Editionem Vulgatum, printed by Thomas Guerin at Basle, Switzerland in 1591.
Octavo size, measuring 5" x 7¼". Double columns of Latin text, being St. Jerome's "Vulgate" translation, set in Roman Letter type. The Vulgate is an early 5th century version of the Bible in Latin, commissioned by Pope Damasus I in 382. Its Old Testament is the first Latin version translated directly from the Hebrew rather than from the Greek Septuagint. For over a thousand years it was the definitive and officially promulgated Latin version of the Bible of the Roman Catholic Church. A finely printed edition of the standard Latin Bible text of this tumultuous era, produced by the French-born printer active in Basle for some thirty years. From his press issued a number of Bibles and works of theological scholarship.
Condition is very fine. Price per leaf . . . 5.00 Enter your order quantity here:  then press

A Fine German Vernacular Folio Bible
LF-2330. TYPICAL TEXT LEAVES, Old Testament, from Catholische Bibell (The Bible, Catholic Vernacular), printed by Calenius and Quentels at Cologne, Germany in 1594. Folio size, measuring 8½" x 13". Black Letter German language text in double columns.
A handsome large format Vernacular Bible, in Low German. Appearing at a time when Luther's translation had dramatically affected German life and language, this Bible adhered to the Catholic translation. Cologne was a center of fine printing from the earliest days, with its first press begun by Ulrich Zell in 1466. The city was all but annihilated in World War II, and has since been extesnively rebuilt. The leaf is a fine choice for display. Reference: similar to D&M 4211, this edition. is apparently unlisted.
VG or better. Price per leaf. . . 6.00Please enter your order quantity:  then press

A Fine German Vernacular Folio Bible
LF-2332. TYPICAL TEXT LEAVES, New Testament, from Catholische Bibell (The Bible, Catholic Vernacular), printed by Calenius and Quentels at Cologne, Germany in 1594. Folio size, measuring 8½" x 13".
Black Letter German language text in double columns. A handsome large format Vernacular Bible, in Low German. A leaf from one of the books of the New Testament.
Fine with minor browning. Price per leaf. . . 7.00Please enter your order quantity:  then press

Leaves from a Lovely Venetian Bible ORIGINAL LEAVES from Biblia Sacra Vulgatae Editionis... (The Holy Bible, Jerome's Vulgate text),printed at Venice, Italy, by Damian Zenarus in 1603. Folio size, 9 1/2" x 14". Double columns of Latin text in Roman Letter font. Column and pages ruled in black. Occasional capitals and other decorative embellishment. Pope Sixtus V ordered this revision of the Biblical text in 1589 in part to counter the rising power of emergent Protestantism and to assert the preeminence of the Vatican's temporal authority in Catholic Spain and France. On his death bed (he died in 1590) his subjects loathed Sixtus V, but history has recognized him as one of the great figures of the Counter Reformation. He is said to have been impulsive, obstinate, severe, and autocratic, as well as open to large ideas, energetic, and above all, determined. His reign saw great enterprises and large achievements. This edition was finely printed and is quite a handsome large format Latin Bible over 400 years old yet in lovely clean condition. I offer leaves as follows: Very Inexpensive Early Printed Leaves LF-2376c. TYPICAL TEXT LEAVES from Biblia Sacra, Venice, Italy, 1603. Double columns of Latin text in Roman Letter font. Column and pages ruled in black, occasional large capital letters. I am pleased to be able to offer this handsome large format Latin Bible leaf, over four hundred years old, in very nice condition, at an excellent price. Condition is very fine. Price per leaf is just. . . 4.50  Please enter your order quantity:  then press

A Finely Printed Large Folio Hebrew Bible Leaf LF-2378. Early Printed Leaf from The Pentateuch, with Commentaries by Rashi et al., printed by Ludovicus Konig at Basel, Switzerland in 1618. Large folio size, measuring 10½" x 15¾".
A very attractive early leaf, printed entirely in Hebrew in finely wrought typeface of varying sizes. In the classical presentation, the Biblical text appears in large double columns while the commentaries appear in a smaller type face flanking the main body of the text. Lovely display leaf offered at a special price. Darlow & Moule No. 5120.
Condition is choice clean very fine . . . 9.95 Enter your order quantity here: 

A Lovely Folio Plantin Missal Printed in Red and Black LF-2390. TYPICAL INITIAL LEAVES from Missale Romanum ex Decreto Sanctrosancti Concilii Tridentinii Restitutum. (The Roman Missal), printed by Plantin at Antwerp in 1642. Folio size, measuring 9" x 13½".
Double columns of Latin text rendered in a large Roman typeface, within ruled borders. Numerous printed Uncial initial letters in contrasting red ink with a large historiated (decorated) initial letter printed in red and black. A fine example of the output of the great Continental printing house, founded by the great Christopher Plantin and kept in business by his descendants for three centuries. The present work is a book of prayers for all the Holy Days of the year according to Catholic tradition and is handsomely executed in a style strikingly similar to the earliest printed Missals of the previous century. Fine display leaf.
Condition is bright clean very Fine . . . SOLD

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Some References Cited in this Catalog

D&M. Darlow & Moule, Historical Catalogue of Printed Editions of the Bible. London, 1903
Hain-Coppinger, Repertorium Bibliographicum, London, 1895 - 1902
STC. Pollard & Redgrave, A short-title catalogue of books printed in England, Scotland and Wales...1475 - 1640. London, 1926.

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