Francesco Colonna. d. 1527. Hypnerotomachia Poliphili. Venice, Aldus
Manutius, December 1499. Roman type, 34 lines, 234 leaves, woodcuts.
The author's name appears in acrostic, made up from the first letters of
the 38 chapters. This books is considered by many bibliophiles as the most
beautifully designed book printed because of the harmony of type and
illustration and the delicacy of the woodcuts. Aldus Manutius , 1450-1515,
founded the Aldine Press noted for careful printing of the classics and the
first use of italic type.
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