Early Printed Books
User Collection Public
The Early Printed Books Collection is comprised of materials printed in the West from the 15th to the 18th centuries, highlighting works printed during the hand-press period held at UVic Libraries and partner institutions. The collection also includes incunabula (books printed with moveable type before 1501).
Permalink: http://vault.library.uvic.ca/collections/afe2d38b-3ce3-47fe-8dc8-5f8193919635
Collection Details
- Items 20
- Last Updated 2025-07-23
Works (20)
1. Incunabulum, 15th century
- Title:
- Incunabulum, 15th century
- Description:
- Decretum Gratiani, 1, D. 96; recto: cc. 8-13, verso: c. 14 (cc. 13-14 = the infamous forgery known as the Donation of Constantine; vide: https://history.hanover.edu/texts/vallapart1.html))
- Subject:
- Manuscripts, Latin (Medieval and modern) and Constitutum Constantini
- Language:
- lat
- Date Created:
- 14XX
- Rights Statement:
- No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only
- License:
- Contact Special Collections and University Archives for access to the original. This material is made available on this site for research and private study only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Identifier:
- Shelf Mark: Inc.Lat.2
- Extent:
- 1 leaf ; 31.5 x 22 cm
- Alternative Title:
- Gratian, Decretum, 1, D. 96
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Medieval and Early Modern Manuscripts Collection and Early Printed Books
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- fragments (object portions), incunabula (books), and manuscripts (documents)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2001-002
- Fonds Title:
- Guy Williams collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC455
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections fonds: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/guy-williams-collection and Special Collections Inventory: https://www.uvic.ca/library/locations/home/spcoll/collections/medieval/inc-lat-2.php
- Date Digitized:
- 2022-08-15
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Betterlight/TTI - 1/15; 283; bent5; camera 800 - 600DPI tiff archival scans by PD. Metadata by KD.
2. De summo bono
- Title:
- De summo bono
- Description:
- "De Summo Bono is a medieval text written by Isidore of Seville, a prominent Christian bishop and scholar who lived in the late sixth and early seventh centuries. The text is a philosophical and theological treatise on the nature of the highest good, which Isidore identifies as God. In the work, he draws upon classical and Christian philosophical traditions, including the works of Aristotle, Plato, and Augustine, to argue that the highest good can only be found through a deep understanding of God, and a commitment to a virtuous life. This edition of "De Summo Bono," printed by Ulrich Zell in Cologne around 1470, is significant as an early example of the printing press in Europe and a valuable historical artifact of medieval philosophy and theology. Preceded only by the Nuremberg edition of 1470."-- Freeman's Auction site.
- Keyword:
- Sans serif types, Gilt edges, and Black letter types
- Subject:
- Christian ethics--Early church, Theology, Doctrinal, Christianity, Theology, Christian ethics, Philosophy, Religion, and Ethics
- Creator:
- Isidore, of Seville, Saint, -636
- Contributor:
- Zell, Ulrich, -1503 and Howard, Charles W. G., 1814-1879
- Publisher:
- Cologne, Germany : Ulrich Zell
- Language:
- lat
- Date Created:
- 1470~
- Rights Statement:
- No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only
- License:
- Contact Special Collections and University Archives for access to the original manuscript and for reproduction requests (fee for reproductions). This material is made available on this site for research and private study only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Identifier:
- Call Number: BR65.I73 D47 1470
- Extent:
- 232 pages ; 21 cm
- Alternative Title:
- Isidorus de summo bono
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Bound in green leather with red leather spine labels stamped in gilt; gilt edges; marbled endpapers., Has armorial bookplate: Charles W.G. Howard; motto: Volo non valeo., Has marginalia., and Gothic type with rubricated initials in red and in blue; capitals highlighted in gilt.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Medieval and Early Modern Manuscripts Collection and Early Printed Books
- Provenance:
- Formerly owned by British politician Charles W.G. Howard (1814-1879).
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- leather bindings (bookbindings), armorial bookplates, incunabula (books), bookplates, marginalia (annotations), and black letter (typefaces)
- Date Digitized:
- 2024-10
- Technical Note:
- Tight binding so some text is cut off on some pages. Scanned on Betterlight/TTI ((1/15; 283; bent 5 stops TONE; 900 camera height -- 330 except covers front back) by LG. Metadata by KD.
3. Expositio (Postilla) in Job
- Title:
- Expositio (Postilla) in Job
- Description:
- "Rare first edition of Thomas Aquinas's line-by-line commentary on the book of Job--the only fifteenth-century edition of this work, and the first by printer Conrad Fyner to bear his name and a date in the colophon. Originally written in the early 1260s while in Orvieto, Aquinas's commentary emphasizes that Job's misfortunes were not the result of divine disfavor, and that his suffering was a means for Job to gain self-knowledge, but also to provide future generations with a model of endurance through hardship."-- Freeman's Auction site. Printed by Konrad Fyner (active 1472-1488).
- Keyword:
- Sans serif types, Black letter types, and Gilt edges
- Subject:
- Religion, Expositio super Job ad litteram (Thomas, Aquinas, Saint), Bible. Job, Bible, Criticism, interpretation, etc., Christianity, and Theology
- Creator:
- Thomas, Aquinas, Saint, 1225?-1274
- Contributor:
- Fyner, Konrad, active 1472-1488 and Conway, Frederick William, 1779-1864
- Publisher:
- Esslingen : per discretum Conradum Fÿner
- Language:
- lat
- Date Created:
- 1474
- Rights Statement:
- No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only
- License:
- Contact Special Collections and University Archives for access to the original manuscript and for reproduction requests (fee for reproductions). This material is made available on this site for research and private study only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Identifier:
- Call Number: B765.T53 E97 1470
- Extent:
- 214 pages ; 30.5 cm x 21 cm
- Alternative Title:
- Postilla in Job, Text on page [1] begins: In tabula ista ostenduntur notabiliora seu p[ri]ncipaliora puncta, Expositio in Job, Incipit (page [9]): Postilla Fratris Thome de Aquino in Job feliciter incipitThomæ de Aquino postilla in Job, and Expositio super Job ad litteram
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- "Explicit postilla in job fratris thome de aquino Anno Millesimoquadringentesimoseptuagesimoq[ua]rto. per discretum Conradum fÿner d[er] gerhuszen artis impressorie magistrum." -- Colophon., Has marginalia in red and black., "Bibliotheca. Conoviana. Dublinii. M.D.CCC.XXXIV", the library of Frederick William Conway, stamped in gilt on front paste-down., Bound in red leather by James Adams, Dublin; stamped in gilt on spine; patterned endpapers; gilt edges., Lacking table: pages [1-8]., and Gothic type with rubricated initials in red.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Early Printed Books and Medieval and Early Modern Manuscripts Collection
- Provenance:
- Formerly owned by Frederick William Conway (1779-1864).
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- black letter (typefaces), criticism, leather bindings (bookbindings), incunabula (books), early works, and marginalia (annotations)
- Date Digitized:
- 2024-10
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Betterlight/TTI ((1/15; 283; bent 5 stops TONE; 900 camera height) -- except covers front back) by LG. Metadata by KD.
4. Commentaria in Psalmos
- Title:
- Commentaria in Psalmos
- Subject:
- Manuscripts, Latin (Medieval and modern), Theology, Bible. Psalms, Manuscripts, Medieval, Bible, and Incunabula
- Creator:
- Peter Lombard, Bishop of Paris, approximately 1100-1160
- Contributor:
- Sensenschmidt, Johann, -1491?
- Publisher:
- [Nuremberg] : [Johann Sensenschmidt and Andreas Frisner], [approximately 1475-1476]
- Language:
- lat
- Date Created:
- 1475/1476~
- Rights Statement:
- No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only
- License:
- Contact Special Collections and University Archives for access to the original manuscript and for reproduction requests (fee for reproductions). This material is made available on this site for research and private study only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Identifier:
- Call Number: ova BS1429 P48 1475 and Shelf Mark: Inc.Lat.5
- Extent:
- 415 unnumbered leaves ; 32 cm
- Alternative Title:
- Petri lumbardi Quem [et] magist[rum] sententia[rum] dicimus glosa ordinaria in prophetam : de quo dominus ait elegi mihi dauid vi[rum] secundu? cor meum hic intitulatur liber., Bible. Psalms. Latin. 1475., Glosa ordinaria in prophetam, Glossa Psalterii, and Glossa magistralis psalterii
- Geographic Coverage:
- Germany--Nuremberg
- Coordinates:
- 49.45421, 11.07752
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Contemporary pigskin over wooden boards ; worm holes ; part of brass clasp missing. Leaves have some slight worming. Lacking initial blank & ff. 31, 40 & 414 which are supplied in near contemporary manuscript. Waste manuscripts used in binding. Printed in black with some letters in red. Manuscript notes on endpapers.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Medieval and Early Modern Manuscripts
- Provenance:
- Purchased from Cheffins Fine Art Auctioneers on the Special Collections Department fund and the George & Lola Kidd Library Collection Enrichment Fund 2019.
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- incunabula (books), early works, manuscripts (documents), commentaries, and specimens
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collection Inventory: https://www.uvic.ca/library/locations/home/spcoll/collections/medieval/inc-lat-5.php
- Date Digitized:
- 2021-01
- Technical Note:
- Scanned Jan 2021 on Betterlight/TTI by PD. 600 DPI TIFF - 1/15; 263 ISO; bent5 tone; Camera height 900. Metadata by KD.
5. Pantheologia of Reynerus de Pisis
- Title:
- Pantheologia of Reynerus de Pisis
- Description:
- A leaf from Pantheologia of Reynerus de Pisis. Includes the following description: 'A page from the Pantheologia of Reynerus de Pisis printed at Nuremburg by Anton Koberger in 1477. With the invention of moveable type in the middle of the fifteenth century, books were printed on paper and in unlimited quantity. These books printed before 1501, known as "incunabula", imitated the forms of contemporary manuscripts. Since readers were accustomed to the decoration of manuscripts, coloured initials were added to the printed page by hand.'
- Subject:
- Theology and Pantheologia (Rainerius, de Pisis)
- Creator:
- Rainerius, de Pisis, -approximately 1348
- Contributor:
- Koberger, Anton, approximately 1440-1513
- Language:
- lat
- Date Created:
- 1477
- Rights Statement:
- No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only
- License:
- Contact Special Collections and University Archives for access to the original. This material is made available on this site for research and private study only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Identifier:
- Shelf Mark: Inc.Lat.3
- Extent:
- 1 leaf ; 44 x 32 cm
- Alternative Title:
- Pantheologia, sive Summa universae theologiae. Ed: Jacobus Florentinus, single leaf and Incunabulum, 1477
- Geographic Coverage:
- Germany--Nuremberg
- Coordinates:
- 49.45421, 11.07752
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Medieval and Early Modern Manuscripts Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- fragments (object portions), incunabula (books), and manuscripts (documents)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2010-014, Item: 1.3
- Fonds Title:
- Sandra Mattia collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC436
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections fonds: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/sandra-mattia-collection and Special Collections Inventory: https://www.uvic.ca/library/locations/home/spcoll/collections/medieval/inc-lat-3.php
- Date Digitized:
- 2022-08-15
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Betterlight/TTI - 1/15; 283; bent5; camera 800 - 600DPI tiff archival scans by PD. Metadata by KD.
6. Speculum aureum anime peccatricis dicitur
- Title:
- Speculum aureum anime peccatricis dicitur
- Description:
- Attributed to Denis le Chartreux and Jacobus de Gruytrode and printed by Albert Kunne.
- Subject:
- Sin, Early works, Salvation, Specimens, Incunabula, and Religion
- Creator:
- Denis, the Carthusian, 1402-1471
- Publisher:
- [Memmingen] : [J. Kunne], [1485?]
- Language:
- lat
- Date Created:
- 1485?
- Rights Statement:
- No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only
- License:
- Contact Special Collections and University Archives for access to the original manuscript and for reproduction requests. This material is made available on this site for research and private study only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Identifier:
- Call Number: BR75 J3 and Shelf Mark: Inc.Lat.1
- Extent:
- 54 unnumbered pages ; 19 cm
- Alternative Title:
- Speculum aureum anime peccatricis dicitur / [a quodam cartusiense [i.e. Jacobus de Gruitroede] editu]
- Geographic Coverage:
- Germany--Memmingen
- Coordinates:
- 47.98372, 10.18527
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Additional item information included on inserts attached to back cover. and Inscription in pencil on inside front cover: "Dionysius Carthusiensis Speculum aureum anime peccatricis [Memmingen, A. Kunne, c. 1490} Hain 14899 BMCat Incun II, 608 From only 15th cent. press at Memmingen. This copy comes from the Carthusian monastery (Charterhouse) in Buxhein near Memmingen, and was the first item in a volume of 14 collected tracts. The title-page has the Charterhouse librarian's ownership inscription this list of the contents of the volume"
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Early Printed Books Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- books, incunabula (books), and specimens
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections inventory page: https://www.uvic.ca/library/locations/home/spcoll/collections/medieval/inc-lat-1.php
- Date Digitized:
- 2021-10-15
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Betterlight TTI (600 DPI Tiff; 1/15; 303; bent 5; camera height 500) by PD. Scanned under supported glass to gently hold manuscript open. Metadata by KD.
7. Nuremberg Chronicle
- Title:
- Nuremberg Chronicle
- Description:
- Leaf from an illustrated encyclopedia and one of the best-documented early printed books the Nuremberg Chronicle, uncoloured.
- Subject:
- Liber chronicarum (Schedel, Hartmann) and History
- Creator:
- Schedel, Hartmann, 1440-1514
- Contributor:
- Koberger, Anton, approximately 1440-1513
- Language:
- lat
- Date Created:
- 1493?
- Rights Statement:
- No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only
- License:
- Contact Special Collections and University Archives for access to the original. This material is made available on this site for research and private study only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/StillImage and http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Identifier:
- Shelf Mark: Inc.Lat.4
- Extent:
- 1 leaf ; 45.5 x 32.5 cm
- Alternative Title:
- Incunabulum, 1493
- Geographic Coverage:
- Germany--Nuremberg
- Coordinates:
- 49.45421, 11.07752
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Illustrations.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Medieval and Early Modern Manuscripts Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- encyclopedias, fragments (object portions), incunabula (books), and manuscripts (documents)
- Archival Item Identifier:
- Accession Number: 2010-014, Item: 1.4
- Fonds Title:
- Sandra Mattia collection
- Fonds Identifier:
- SC436
- Is_referenced_by:
- Special Collections Inventory: https://www.uvic.ca/library/locations/home/spcoll/collections/medieval/inc-lat-4.php and Special Collections fonds: https://search.archives.uvic.ca/sandra-mattia-collection
- Date Digitized:
- 2022-08-15
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Betterlight/TTI - 1/15; 283; bent5; camera 800 - 600DPI tiff archival scans by PD. Metadata by KD.
8. Nicolas de Lyra Incunabula
- Title:
- Nicolas de Lyra Incunabula
- Description:
- Dealer Description: Nicolas de Lyra. REPERTORIUM IN POSTILLAM... NICOLAI DE LYRA SUPER VE[TUS] ET NO[VUM] TESTA[MENTUM.] Nuremberg: Anton Koberger, April 19, 1494. 4 to (8.75" x 6.5".) A–T8, V4 (-V4, blank), or 155 leaves (of 156, wanting final blank.) Text in two columns, with initials in red. Bound in early blind-stamped calf with clasps, rebacked. The last incunable edition. [GW M26701; Goff N150; HC 10399; BMC ii 438]
- Subject:
- Manuscripts, Medieval
- Creator:
- Nicholas, of Lyra, approximately 1270-1349
- Publisher:
- Nuremberg: Anton Koberger, April 19, 1494.
- Language:
- lat
- Date Created:
- 1494-04-19
- Rights Statement:
- No Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Only
- License:
- Contact Special Collections and University Archives for access to the original manuscript and for reproduction requests (fee for reproductions). This material is made available on this site for research and private study only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Extent:
- 155 leaves ; 8.75 x 6.5 inches
- Alternative Title:
- Nicolas de Lyra. REPERTORIUM IN POSTILLAM Incunabula and Nicolas de Lyra. REPERTORIUM IN POSTILLAM... NICOLAI DE LYRA SUPER VE[TUS] ET NO[VUM] TESTA[MENTUM.]
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Dealer's Condition Report:Binding with several chips, lacks 2 brass corner-pieces, one clasp restored. Gutters renewed (as rebacked), final leaf with marginal chipping and with paper repair (no loss of text), title with two holes (no loss), early ink to title and front pastedown, contents with age-toning, occasional marginal tears to chips (2 repaired), occasional light foxing and minor staining.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Medieval and Early Modern Manuscripts
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- incunabula (books) and manuscripts (documents)
- Date Digitized:
- 2020-11-30/2020-12-16
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on TTI/Betterlight by PD. 600 DPI TIFF; 1/15; 263;bent5 tone; camera height 900. Metadata by KD.
9. Statii Sylvarum libri quinque : Thebaidos libri duodecim, Achilleidos duo
- Title:
- Statii Sylvarum libri quinque : Thebaidos libri duodecim, Achilleidos duo
- Description:
- Contains selections from the epic poems by Publius Papinius "Silvae", "Thebaid" and "Achilleis" along with "Orthographia et flexus dictionum graecarum omnium apud Statium cum accentib. et generib. ex variis vtriusque linguae autorib." by A.P. Manutius: signatures a-ep7s (last group of small letters). Text of Orthographia in Greek and Latin. Imprint from colophon of the Achilleis, sig. Cp4s (second group of capital letters). Another, colophon of the Thebais, sig. Gp4s (first group of capital letters) reads: Venetiis, in academia Aldi Romense, Novembri, 1502.
- Subject:
- Italic type, Printers' marks, Early printed books, Silvae (Statius, P. Papinius), Rare books, Achilleis (Statius, P. Papinius), Colophons, Works (Statius, P. Papinius), Bookbinding, Epic literature, and Thebais (Statius, P. Papinius)
- Creator:
- Statius, P. Papinius (Publius Papinius)
- Contributor:
- Manuzio, Aldo, 1449 or 1450-1515
- Publisher:
- Venetiis : in aedibus Aldi
- Language:
- gre and lat
- Date Created:
- 1502-08
- Rights Statement:
- Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
- License:
- Contact Special Collections and University Archives for access to the original. This material is made available on this site for research and private study only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Identifier:
- Call Number: PA6697 A2 1502
- Extent:
- 592 unnumbered pages ; 4 x 6 cm
- Alternative Title:
- Statii opera. Aldus 1502. and Works
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Italic type. Printer's device, sig. ep8s (last group of small letters), recto: anchor and dolphin, with name Aldus, and dots. Spaces with guide letters left blank for initials.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Early Printed Books and Book Arts Collection
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- poetry, books, and epic poetry
- Date Digitized:
- 2024-01
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Betterlight/TTI (1/20; 263; copy 4 stops; camera 800) by LG. Metadata by KD.
10. Ex Plavti Comoediss. XX.
- Title:
- Ex Plavti Comoediss. XX.
- Description:
- Edited by Franciscus Asulanus [Francesco Torressani] from a copy corrected by Aldus and Erasmus. Imprint from colophon. Register precedes colophon. Printer's device on t.p. and verso of final leaf. Includes index. Text printed in italic type; spaces left for capitals, with guide letters.
- Subject:
- Colophons, Drama, Printers' marks, Italic type, Latin drama (Comedy), Comedy plays, Latin drama, and Bookbinding
- Creator:
- Plautus, Titus Maccius
- Contributor:
- Aedes Aldi et Andreae Asulani Soceri and Asulanus, Franciscus, -1546
- Publisher:
- Venetiis : In aedibus Aldi, et Andreae Asulani soceri
- Language:
- lat
- Date Created:
- 1522-07
- Rights Statement:
- Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial
- License:
- Contact Special Collections and University Archives for access to the original. This material is made available on this site for research and private study only.
- Resource Type:
- http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text
- Identifier:
- Call Number: PA6568 A2 1522
- Extent:
- 14 unnumbered pages, 284 leaves ; 15 x 21 cm
- Alternative Title:
- Works. and Ex Plauti Comoediis. XX. Quarum carmina magna ex parte in mensum suum restituta sunt M.D.XXII. Index uerborum, quib. paulo abstrusiorib. Plautus utitur. Argumenta singularum Comoediarum. Authoris uita. Tralatio dictionum graecarum.
- Additional Physical Characteristics:
- Errors in foliation: leaves 39 misnumbered as 32, 104 as 108.
- Physical Repository:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Collection:
- Book Arts Collection and Early Printed Books
- Provider:
- University of Victoria (B.C.). Library
- Genre:
- books and comedy plays
- Date Digitized:
- 2024-01
- Technical Note:
- Scanned on Betterlight/TTI (1/20; 263; copy 4 stops; camera 800) by LG. Metadata by KD.