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An engraving depicting the Altar of All Saints which contains minor relics of various saints.

An engraving depicting the Altar of All Saints which contains minor relics of various saints.

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Antipas of Pergamum. The image shows a hollow bull statue set above a blazing fire.

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Antipas of Pergamum. The image shows a hollow bull statue set above a blazing fire.

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Saint Blandina. The image shows Blandina being tossed by a bull towards a second bull's oncoming charge, while in the background there is a burning grill where she had previously been severely burned.

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Saint Blandina. The image shows Blandina being tossed by a bull towards a second bull's oncoming charge, while in the background there is a burning grill where she had previously been severely burned.

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Saint Cassian of Imola. The image shows Cassian bound and stabbed with styli (writing implements used with wax tablets) by his students.

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Saint Cassian of Imola. The image shows Cassian bound and stabbed with styli (writing implements used with wax tablets) by his students.

An engraving depicting Saint Cointha before her martyrdom. The image shows Cointha rejecting the altar of a Roman god as two men bring rope (right) with which to tie her by her feet to a horse to be dragged through the streets.

An engraving depicting Saint Cointha before her martyrdom. The image shows Cointha rejecting the altar of a Roman god as two men bring rope (right) with which to tie her by her feet to a horse to be dragged through the streets.

Summary: First printing of an open letter by Luther to the church of Erfurt on the subject of prayers to the saints.

Summary: First printing of an open letter by Luther to the church of Erfurt on the subject of prayers to the saints.

An engraving depicting the Eulalia kicking over an alter to a Roman god in an event preceeding her martyrdom. In the image, the crowd around Eulalia appearing outraged.

An engraving depicting the Eulalia kicking over an alter to a Roman god in an event preceeding her martyrdom. In the image, the crowd around Eulalia appearing outraged.

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Saint Felicity. The image shows Felicity being approached by a guard holding a set of keys, her hands clasped in prayer and chained to the prison wall by her neck. According to tradition, Felicity was martyred alongside Saint Perpetua, was an enslaved woman, and was pregnant at the time.

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Saint Felicity. The image shows Felicity being approached by a guard holding a set of keys, her hands clasped in prayer and chained to the prison wall by her neck. According to tradition, Felicity was martyred alongside Saint Perpetua, was an enslaved woman, and was pregnant at the time.

An engraved border for the title page of Paolo di Angelis' Basilicae s. Mariae Maioris di Urbe a Liberio Papa I usque ad Paulum V Pont. Max. descriptio et delinatio printed in 1621. The border consists of a single print with several scenes pertaining to the veneration of and maricles of the Virgin Mary. The top of the border depicts angels and cherubs flanking a depiction of the Virgin Mary with Christ. In the center of the engraving, below the title, is a scene of St. Gregory I the Great leading a crowd in worship as a depiction of Mary is brought forward.

An engraved border for the title page of Paolo di Angelis' Basilicae s. Mariae Maioris di Urbe a Liberio Papa I usque ad Paulum V Pont. Max. descriptio et delinatio printed in 1621. The border consists of a single print with several scenes pertaining to the veneration of and maricles of the Virgin Mary. The top of the border depicts angels and cherubs flanking a depiction of the Virgin Mary with Christ. In the center of the engraving, below the title, is a scene of St. Gregory I the Great leading a crowd in worship as a depiction of Mary is brought forward.

A woodcut border to Mensing's Von dem Testament Christi vnsers Herren vnd Seligmachers : Dem Hochlöblichen Adell ym landt zu Sachsen, sampt alle[n] Christglewbigen, Deutscher Nation, tzugutt geschriben vnd auszgangen, beweret mit Götlicher schrifft, tröstlich zu lesen printed in 1526. The border is composed of four woodcuts depicting the symbols of the four Gospels (corners), Apostle Peter (top), Apostle Paul (bottom), and the four "Great Western Fathers" of the church, Pope Gregory I, Saint Jerome, Saint Ambrose, and Saint Augustine (sides).

A woodcut border to Mensing's Von dem Testament Christi vnsers Herren vnd Seligmachers : Dem Hochlöblichen Adell ym landt zu Sachsen, sampt alle[n] Christglewbigen, Deutscher Nation, tzugutt geschriben vnd auszgangen, beweret mit Götlicher schrifft, tröstlich zu lesen printed in 1526. The border is composed of four woodcuts depicting the symbols of the four Gospels (corners), Apostle Peter (top), Apostle Paul (bottom), and the four "Great Western Fathers" of the church, Pope Gregory I, Saint Jerome, Saint Ambrose, and Saint Augustine (sides).

The title page of Biblia : habes in hoc libro prudens lector vtriusq[ue] instrumenti nouam tran[s]latione[m] aeditum... featuring an architectural border decorated with portraits of Catholic saints. At the top of the border is an image of the pope flanked by cardinals and supported by a pair of cherubs holding horns and crests featuring a printer's mark. Along both sides are portraits of saints frmed with laurels, including: Jerome, Augustine, Gregory, Ambrosius, Hugo, Bernard, Thomas, Ireneus, and two unnamed saints.

The title page of Biblia : habes in hoc libro prudens lector vtriusq[ue] instrumenti nouam tran[s]latione[m] aeditum... featuring an architectural border decorated with portraits of Catholic saints. At the top of the border is an image of the pope flanked by cardinals and supported by a pair of cherubs holding horns and crests featuring a printer's mark. Along both sides are portraits of saints frmed with laurels, including: Jerome, Augustine, Gregory, Ambrosius, Hugo, Bernard, Thomas, Ireneus, and two unnamed saints.

A woodcut border on the title page of Luther's Sermon von den Heiltumen printed in 1522. The border consists of four woodcuts, all featuring plant motifs with added elements, including: a bird (left), birds and bugs (top), fruits (right), and an urn (bottom). Within the border and below the title is a fifth woodcut depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, with the Virgin Mary to the left and a saint to the right.

A woodcut border on the title page of Luther's Sermon von den Heiltumen printed in 1522. The border consists of four woodcuts, all featuring plant motifs with added elements, including: a bird (left), birds and bugs (top), fruits (right), and an urn (bottom). Within the border and below the title is a fifth woodcut depicting the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, with the Virgin Mary to the left and a saint to the right.

A woodcut border on the title page of Johann Lange's Oratio published in 1519. The border is comprised of one complete woodcut and depicts a group of angels playing music as the Virgin Mary, Jesus, and several other saints watch. Additional scenes of cherubs picking fruit and climbing trees appear in the left and right border sections.

A woodcut border on the title page of Johann Lange's Oratio published in 1519. The border is comprised of one complete woodcut and depicts a group of angels playing music as the Virgin Mary, Jesus, and several other saints watch. Additional scenes of cherubs picking fruit and climbing trees appear in the left and right border sections.

This large-format broadside was probably issued to commemorate and popularize the canonization of Charles Borromeo (1538-1584) in November of 1610. Borromeo was a crucial interlocutor during the final sessions of the Council of Trent and also undertook many reforming practices while serving as the Archbishop of Milan. Although the engraving was printed in Antwerp, the text including the detailed captions demonstrate that it was intended for an Italian audience.

This large-format broadside was probably issued to commemorate and popularize the canonization of Charles Borromeo (1538-1584) in November of 1610. Borromeo was a crucial interlocutor during the final sessions of the Council of Trent and also undertook many reforming practices while serving as the Archbishop of Milan. Although the engraving was printed in Antwerp, the text including the detailed captions demonstrate that it was intended for an Italian audience.

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Julitta and her child, Cyricus. The image shows Julitta tied to a post and being whipped (left), a hook for torture on the ground beside her, and the governor of Tarsus holding Julitta's child, Cyricus, by the legs, preparing to throw him down a staircase (right).

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Julitta and her child, Cyricus. The image shows Julitta tied to a post and being whipped (left), a hook for torture on the ground beside her, and the governor of Tarsus holding Julitta's child, Cyricus, by the legs, preparing to throw him down a staircase (right).

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Saint Phillip the Apostle. The image shows Philip standing against a pillar with hands raised in prayer as he looks away from the crowd which is stoning him to death.

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Saint Phillip the Apostle. The image shows Philip standing against a pillar with hands raised in prayer as he looks away from the crowd which is stoning him to death.

A vellum leaf from a Latin Book of Hours. The leaf contains 1/4 panel borders of flowers and tree trunks in liquid gold and tempera.

A vellum leaf from a Latin Book of Hours. The leaf contains 1/4 panel borders of flowers and tree trunks in liquid gold and tempera.

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Phocas, the Bishop of Sinope. The image shows Phocas being tossed into a large, boiling bath (left) while a soldier (right) directs an old man's attention to the event. In the background a steaming lime kiln can be seen (right).

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Phocas, the Bishop of Sinope. The image shows Phocas being tossed into a large, boiling bath (left) while a soldier (right) directs an old man's attention to the event. In the background a steaming lime kiln can be seen (right).

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Saint Polycarp. The image shows Polycarp sitting on a blazing fire with eyes turned towards heaven as a man stabs him with a sword.

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Saint Polycarp. The image shows Polycarp sitting on a blazing fire with eyes turned towards heaven as a man stabs him with a sword.

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Saint Andrew the Apostle. The image shows Andrew bound with rope to an X-shaped cross while a crowd watches.

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Saint Andrew the Apostle. The image shows Andrew bound with rope to an X-shaped cross while a crowd watches.

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Saint Barnabas. The image shows Barnabas being dragged by a rope around his neck towards a fire which is being built in the background.

An engraving depicting the martyrdom of Saint Barnabas. The image shows Barnabas being dragged by a rope around his neck towards a fire which is being built in the background.