Soldini, Anima brutorum, 1776 (a8r; Smithsonian)

The opening of each chapter in this book features intaglio initial letters, the colors of which vary from copy to copy. In this copy from the Smithsonian, an ochre ink is used, but in the Getty's copy, the initial letter is printed in blue.

Soldini, Anima brutorum, 1776 (pl. facing a8r; Getty)

Because plates are printed in a separate process from letterpress text, and because the images in Soldini's work are not closely related to the text, different copies of the book have the plates inserted and bound in different locations. In this copy from the Smithsonian, this is the illustration facing the first chapter, but compare this to the Getty's copy of the book.

Soldini, Anima brutorum, 1776 (pl. facing a8r; Smithsonian)

Because plates are printed in a separate process from letterpress text, and because the images in Soldini's work are not closely related to the text, different copies of the book have the plates inserted and bound in different locations. In this copy from the Smithsonian, this is the illustration facing the first chapter, but compare this to the Getty's copy of the book.

Theobald, Double Falshood, 1728 (A1r)

This half-title page includes the price for the volume printed at the bottom of the page. The full imprint can be found on the full title page on the next leaf.

Theobald, Double Falshood, 1728 (A2r)

Like that of most English playbooks, this title page indicates where the play was first performed as well as its title and author.

Theobald, Double Falshood, 1728 (B7v)

At the bottom of this page is the small press figure "3."

Tryal of Richard Francklin, 1731 (A1r)

The 1731 imprint date suggests that the publication of this chapbook followed almost immediately after the conclusion of the December 3, 1731 trial. Chapbooks like these---small unbound pamphlets---were a prime source of news as well as entertainment.

Whole Booke of Psalmes 1640 (2L4r)

This list of "faults escaped" invites the reader to correct not only these but any other errors that aren't noted here.

Whole Booke of Psalmes, 1640 (*1r)

The Bay Psalm Book, as this work is known, is the first book printed in British North America.

Whole Booke of Psalmes, 1640 (2E2v)

If you look closely at this page, you can see a number of signs that the printers weren't experts: the inked shoulders, an italic L instead of a roman, different styles of apostrophes, and slightly wobbly letters.