Purdues Oldest Book

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Purdues Oldest Book

• Aldine Press book, 1502
• Showcased for Back To Class
• Nov. 8th, 2002
• Krannert Special Collection

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1502 Aldine Press book

• Judith Nixon,
• Librarian
• holds Purdues
• oldest book,
• printed in 1502
• by Aldine Press.

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• A close look at this small, leather bound book
  looks reveals some distinctive age
  characteristics
• title page is in the back,
• printing date is 1502,
• book worm holes throughout.

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The dolphin and anchorMake haste slowly

• Bound in brown Russia leather
• Embossed with the device of Aldine Press

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Aldus Manutius

• Italys finest printer and greatest editor of the
  Italian Renaissance.
• Set up Aldine press in 1494.
• Associated with small, excellently printed books.
• His goal best books into the hands of the
  largest possible number of readers.

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Latin poetry of Catullus, Tibullus, and Propertius

• Italic type with
• Roman capitals
• fine paper
• 152 leaves
• catchwords
• octavo (8 leaves
• per signature)

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Italic type

• Aldus Manutius designed and introduced a
  cursive-style font,
• Based on chancery script from the Vatican that
  was used for everyday purposes.
• In 1501 he printed the first book in italic type.

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Book Worms

• Throughout the book
• are the tunnels
• and markings
• of past book worms.

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Krannert Special Collectionwith John Purdues
settee