Butsch's 226 plates reproduce a wealth of material that could not be matched elsewhere, except by ransacking the libraries of the world. The greatest masters in the graphic arts of the day are copiously represented: Albrecht Dürer (with title pages, ornamental initials, decorations and illustrations), Hans Holbein the Younger (with many title pages and illus trations, including the complete Dance of Death Alphabet), Virgil Solis (quaint plates drawn for Ludwig Feyerabend), Hans Burgkmair, Geofroy Tory, Urs Graf, Lucas Cranach, Oronce Fine, and many others. Great presses, too, are represented: Erhart Ratdolt of Venice, Aldus Manutius, Anton Koberger, Johann Schöffer, Robert and Charles Estienne, Simon de Colines, Christophe Plantin, Gabriel Giolito and many others who created the finest books of the period.

 

A wide range of material is shown in Butsch's plates: over 800 ornamental initials, including several dozen complete alphabets in most varied styles. More than 50 decorative title pages (typographical, lettered, ornate, pictorial, allegorical etc.) are reproduced, as are more than a hundred frames, cartouches, and borders in many conventions, and scores of end figures, filler motives and other decorations. Especially interesting are approximately 100 pictorial scenes and emblems, showing biblical topics, amusements, industries and the arts, scientific endeavour, and other activities of the day.