A classic in the field of analytical bibliography, and one whose reputation is entirely deserved. An excellent, thorough, and highly readable study of the Missale Speciale, thought for decades by some to have been printed by Gutenberg before the 42-line Bible, but proved here to have been the product of a Basel press, and narrowing the date to the autumn of 1473.

Stevenson's prose is lively and at times extremely funny, which is hardy something one would expect from an analysis of watermarks, early printing practices, and the like. I laughed out loud more than once, and though the evidence comes thick and fast, my attention never strayed. A brilliant work. ( )