Sammlung von Initialen Band I, herausgegeben von Arnold u. Knoll.

Leipzig: Ludwig Denicke, [1867]. First edition. Hard cover. Good. 35 cm; [2],[2], and 30 color lithograph plates, including title page. Collation includes prospectus (dated 1867) and the preface by Joseph Anton Messmer (also dated 1867). All plates interleaved with blank tissue. Bound in calf over pebbled morocco, quite worn but sound and entire. Scattered foxing, more on tissue guards.

First volume of a projected five-volume series on decorated initials from Medieval and Early Modern manuscripts. Examples date from the 12th to the 16th centuries, reproduced by palaeographer Xaver Arnold and calligrapher Edouard Knoll. Impressive printing by Ludwig Denicke. In spite of the appeal for subscribers in the prospectus, the project for further volumes remained unrealized. A second edition was published at the end of the century. We know of no other surviving example of the prospectus.