The Enchiridion of Pope Leo

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A circular bookplate with a green Ouroboros a serpent swallowing its own tail, symbolizing eternity and the cycle of life forming the outer border. Inscribed within the circle in gold capital letters is "HERMETIC PHILOSOPHY" original: "PHILOSOPHIA HERMETICA". The center features a "pelican in its piety," a symbolic image of a pelican plucking its breast to feed its young with its own blood—a traditional symbol of sacrifice and Christ. The pelican sits upon a stone pedestal which contains a heraldic shield showing a saltire (X-shaped cross) with four roses in the quarters. The scene is set against a blue background with golden rays radiating from a central point at the top.

original: "PHILOSOPHIA HERMETICA." Hermeticism is a philosophical and esoteric tradition based on writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus.

An ornate black-and-white bookplate with a decorative scrolling frame. At the top, the owner's name is printed. The central image shows a thick, closed book viewed through a set of heavy iron bars, representing a prison window. At the bottom, a banner contains a Latin motto.

original: "IN CARCERE MEO LIBER." This is a clever Latin pun. The word "liber" can mean both "free" and "book." Given the image of a book behind bars, the motto can be read as both "In my prison, I am free" and "A book in my prison."