A History of the Cambridge University Press, 1521-1921. S. C. Roberts

de Conscribendis epistolis, Autore D. Erasmo, opus olim ab eodem cœptum, sed prima manu, mox expoliri cœptum, sed intermissum, Nunc primum prodit in lucem. … mdxxi.

      Secondly, it is the first book of any size undertaken by Siberch. "Ignosces," he pleads, "candide lector iam primum experienti mihi." Further, the phrase Cum gratia et privilegio is now used on the title-page for the first time; for this leave had probably been obtained through Bishop Fisher, in a dedication to whom the printer calls himself 'Cantabrigiensis typographus.'

      Four copies are known: two in the British Museum, one in St. John's College, Cambridge, and one in Corpus Christi College, Cambridge; the last has an additional interest in that it was bound by Nicholas Speryng.

      vi The sixth of the books printed by Siberch is the commonest. It is a translation of Galen by Thomas Linacre: Caleni Pergamensis de Temperamentis, et de inaequali intemperie libri tres Thoma Linacro Anglo interprete.

      It is described on the title-page, which has the same border-device as iii, as "opus non medicis modo, sed et philosophis oppido quam necessarium"; it is dedicated to Pope Leo X and printed "cum gratia et privilegio."

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      TITLE-PAGE OF FISHER'S SERMON

      

      The existing copies of the book are in two states: a copy in the first state was found by the late Mr. Robert Bowes in the library of Trinity College, Dublin, containing only the De Temperamentis and having on the last leaf but one a woodcut of the Adoration of the Shepherds. The copy in the Royal College of Physicians consists of this first issue with the second essay added. The remaining ten copies—University Library, Cambridge (2); Bodleian Library (2); British Museum; Trinity College, Cambridge; All Souls' College, Oxford; Hunterian Museum, Glasgow; the Duke of Devonshire; Mr. Bowes—are in the second state, containing both the De Temperamentis and the De inaequali intemperie, the last two leaves of the former essay as they appear in the first state being cancelled.

      VII The full title of the seventh Cambridge book may be read in the facsimile here shown. It is a Latin translation of the sermon delivered in London by Fisher when Luther's books were publicly burned.

      Siberch has now discarded his ornamental title-border, but at the end of the book there appears a new device, embodying his trade-mark and initials. The book was printed late in 1521 and probably issued early in the January of the next year.

      Five copies are known: two in the Bodleian Library; one in the University Library, Cambridge; one in Magdalene College, Cambridge; and one in the John Rylands Library, Manchester.

      VIII The last of the eight books printed by Siberch of which complete copies survive is Papyrii Gemini Eleatis Hermathena, seu De Eloquentiae Victoria, printed on the 8th December, 1522. There are three different states of the title-page and six complete copies are known: University Library, Cambridge; British Museum; St. John's College, Oxford; Archbishop Marsh's Library, St. Patrick's, Dublin; Duke of Devonshire; Lincoln Cathedral Library.

      

      To these eight books must be added the De octo partium orationis constructione libellus of Lily and Erasmus, two leaves of which were found in the book bound by Siberch which Mr. Duff discovered at Westminster. This libellus, originally written by William Lily and revised, at Colet's suggestion, by Erasmus, was a popular school book of the period.

      It was in the binding of the same book that the letter from Petrus Kaetz, a Dutch printer, was also found. This letter has many points of interest. Kaetz sends Siberch "25 prognostications and 3 New Testaments small," as well as a parcel to be delivered to Niclas [Speryng] and we may fittingly conclude our notice of Siberch with the tribute of a contemporary to his prospects as a printer:

      Know, Jan Siborch (writes Petrus Kaetz) that I have received your letter as [well as specimens] of your type, and it is very good; if you can otherwise … and conduct yourself well, then you will get enough to print.

      (Translation by Dr. Hessels, Jenkinson, C.A.S. VIII, 186.)

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      TRADE-MARK OF JOHN SIBERCH