• DONATUS [Mainz: Johann Gutenberg, ca. 1455-1457]

Collections:
  • Incunabula at Princeton
  • Early Manuscript & Printed Fragments
  • In Principio
  • Historical Beginnings
  • Collections Donated to Princeton University Library
  • The Scheide Library
  • Treasures of Rare Book Division
Curatorial Note:
  • Gutenberg’s earliest printings were multiple editions of the Donatus grammar, destined for schoolmasters in secular, conventual, and cathedral schools. They were printed with the first European printing type, commonly known as the DK (Donatus and Kalendar) type. A few of them are in an early, primitive state of the font. In this fragment the DK type is in a significantly improved state with even, sharp lines. The unusually large size of the fragment allows us to visualize what a copy would have looked like when new and fresh from the hands of the rubricator who supplied the initials.
Author:
  • Donatus, Aelius
Provenance:
  • Provenance: Alvin W. Krech; Robert Campbell James; acquired Sotheby's, New York, 13 December 2011, lot 13.
Creator:
  • Donatus, Aelius
Language:
  • Latin
Call number:
  • 113.5
  • Electronic Resource
Extent:
  • 1 vellum bifolium : 27.7 x 22.7 cm (f. 11 measures 27.7 x 19 cm)
Format:
  • Book
Type:
  • Early works to 1500
  • Specimens
Description:
  • WHS fragment is ff. 2 (incomplete) and 11, of a 30-line edition.
Publisher:
  • [Mainz : Johann Gutenberg (Donatus and Kalendar type), ca. 1457]
Subject:
  • Latin language—Grammar—Early works to 1500
  • Type and type-founding—Specimens
Title sort:
  • Ars minor.
References:
  • Incunabula short title catalogue id00316200
  • GW 8693
  • Goff D-316a
  • DeRicci (Mayence) 17
Printer:
  • Gutenberg, Johann, 1397?-1468
Created:
  • 1457-01-01T00:00:00Z
Date:
  • 1457
Identifier:
  • ark:/88435/8g84mq973
Location:
  • WHS 113.5
  • WHS Electronic Resource
  • ELF1 113.5
  • ELF1 Electronic Resource
Edm rights:
  • No Known Copyright
Range label:
  • Logical
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