The bibliographical decameron; or, Ten days pleasant discourse upon illuminated manuscripts, and subjects connected with early engraving, typography, and bibliography
Dibdin's 1817 London bibliographical treatise, printed for the author by W. Bulmer at the Shakspeare Press, takes the form of ten dialogue days on illuminated manuscripts, early engraving, typography and bookbinding, aimed at book collectors. Its pictures are small woodcut printer's devices and emblematic borders, including a fleur-de-lis with putti, a motto panel with a man holding a snake, and a bookseller's shop mark, which show how decorative ornament and allegorical emblems were combined in early printing.
