Description
This is a very nice example of medieval printing, a large decorative Leaf from a fragment of Decretales by Pope Gregory IX.
Some initials, usually the blue ones, are hand painted, but a lot are printed in colors. On one side there is an indistinct watermark.
Printed by Peter Drach at Speyer in 1486 in Latin on hand-made paper.
Size: Approx. 16 3/4 inches by approx 11 1/2 inches.
Condition: Good condition. Evidence of ageing: light soiling, browning, worm holes, edge and margin flaws, marginalia in pencil and ink.
Bibliographical references: Goff G-461, Gesamtkatalog der Wiegendrucke, 11473.
The literal meaning of the Latin word incunabulum is “infant’s cradle” and alludes to the fact that printing at that time was in its infancy. The fact that a book was printed before 1500 is significant in that its value is much greater than if it had been printed after 1501.
1486 Incunable Leaf
