Parvvm Theatrvm Vrbivm. Das ist: Erster Anblick/ vnd Summarischer Außzug/ von Erbawung vnd Ankunfft namhaffter Stät/ Schlösser vnd Clöster/ So vor vnd nach der Geburt Christi im Wesen gewesen/ vnd zum theyl noch sindt: sampt Angehenckten Namen/ fürnemer Teutschen Völckern/ deren Tacitus, Ptolom. vnd Philip. Melanth. gedencken
A 1585 German illustrated book, the Parvvm Theatrvm Vrbivm, compiled by Wolfgang Jobst, Sebastian Franck and Abraham Saur, with Nikolaus Basse, as a compact survey of famous cities, castles and monasteries and their histories for German readers. Its pages mix dense black-letter text with woodcut city views, decorative initials, a framed coat of arms and a map, the cuts set in narrow ruled borders. A designer might take the bordered typographic layouts, the small emblematic shields and the simple woodcut townscapes as models for historical reference panels or heritage signage.
