The Poetae Christiani veteres is the first work in which Aldus printed his famous dolphin-and-anchor printing device. The device that became so famous in Aldus's own lifetime is still being used today to symbolize elegance and quality. The dolphin represents speed, the anchor, stability. Together they represent the famous proverb festina lente (hasten slowly)--in other words, work quickly but carefully, a motto which typified Aldus's work.
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Introduction