Serpentum et Draconum Historiae

Summary of the Privilege of His Sacred Imperial Majesty.

By the privilege of His Sacred Imperial Majesty, it is provided that no one, for the space of ten years from the day on which each volume is completed, shall reprint any of the histories of Ulisse Aldrovandi of Bologna which treat of animals, and consequently also of serpents and dragons, whether in whole or in part, without the will and express consent of the author or his heirs, nor sell such reprinted copies elsewhere, under penalty, as often as they shall be detected, of the forfeiture of all such books and ten marks of pure gold, as is more fully set forth in the imperial diploma given at the Royal Castle of Prague, on the first day of April, in the year one thousand five hundred and ninety-nine.

Emperor Rudolf.