Saint Augustine (354–430)
De civitate Dei
Venice: Johannes and Vindelinus de Spira, 1470

Amongst the incunabula described in Bernard’s 1697 catalogue of Moore’s early library is this beautiful volume of Augustine, noted at number 2 in Bernard’s supplementary list as ‘charta & typis pulcherrimus’. The beauty of this volume is not lessened by what on closer inspection proves to be erroneous rubrication; the chapter headings were initially matched incorrectly to the texts, hence the need to add flourishing banners to disguise the amended handwritten headings.

Inc.1.B.3.1a[1329] (Royal Library)