The Sphere of the World

This page is a blank flyleaf—an unprinted sheet of paper used by bookbinders to protect the manuscript's contents. It contains no written text, inscriptions, or marginal notes. The paper shows visible signs of its age, including minor foxing and light staining. Foxing refers to the small, rusty-brown spots often found on historical paper, usually resulting from the oxidation of iron or the growth of fungi in humid conditions.

Early European Books, Copyright © 2011 ProQuest LLC. Images reproduced by courtesy of the National Central Library of Florence original: "Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale di Firenze". Manuscript Shelfmark: Magl. L.6.9

Technical Terms

Flyleaf: A blank leaf at the beginning or end of a book, placed there to protect the text block from the leather or wooden covers.

Foxing: The characteristic "freckling" or brown spotting seen on old paper. It is a common sign of aging in manuscripts and is caused by the chemical reaction of minerals in the paper or environmental factors.