I have much compassion for what faces Ukraine and Europe. My country is a disaster right now for itself and the entire world, I am sad and angry about it. Those who voted for this admin will have personal consequences too, but it is hard for me to feel compassion for them.

I can't disagree, but know too that about half of us are appalled at what is going on. The other half (imo) have some mass shared delusional disorder (perpetuated by media/social media) and no doubt exacerbated by a good measure of Dunning-Kruger effect.

Interesting and quite a charming book! I do see a very similar title border in a Nicholas Hill book d. 1553 perhaps that is where your border is from. See the first book under Title Pages 1. I'll try to paste the link. www.kings.cam.ac.uk/library/digi...

Very nice!

Cyril Davenport, British Museum, 1901:
"On the title-page of a copy of Marcus Aurelius’s golden book is an ornamental border. This border consists of a design of boys in procession, one being carried on the shoulders of four others, and has at the top a medallion with two sphinxes..."

Baedeker before Baedeker.