De cometae an. MDCLII., MDCLIII. observationibvs astronomicis, Evropa fere tota peractis, & omnia sideris accidentia detegentibus : loco elementari physice, mathematiceque demonstrato : generatione ex halitu terrestri sursum elato, & vi motuum caelestium ignito : praesagiis tam naturali, quam altiori virtute fultis : effectibvs semper magnis, & noxijs humano generi, speciatimque viris excelsis : collatione ad alios cometas in multis admirandis proprietatibus
A 1653 Latin astronomy treatise by the Italian philosopher Fortunio Liceti, printed at Udine by Nicolò Schiratti, on the comets of 1652 and 1653 and their supposed effects on humankind. The three pictures are small printer's ornaments: a decorative woodcut initial R wrapped in scrolling foliage, a coat of arms held up by two putti, and a University of Toronto library seal added by the scan, which a designer can set aside. The woodcut initial and arms with cherubs suggest ornamental devices for early modern title pages, borders and heraldic motifs.
