I think the quote is meant to be from Seneca, "otium sine litteris mors est"--
leisure without learning is death.
Susan Stead wrote:
> Can anyone help with this?
>
> One of our incunabula: Albertus Magnus, Summa de sacramento eucharistiae.
> Ulm: Johann Zainer, 1474. - has a bookplate I would like to identify.
>
> It is 2 entwined initials "R.R" or just possibly "B.B." The initials are on
> a shield with stylised foliage around and the motto "Otium sive literis
> mors est". I would imagine it is late 19th or early 20th c. (But I'm no
> expert!)
>
> The book came to us as part of C.K. Ogden's library.
>
> I could send a xerox of the plate if required.
>
> Many thanks!
>
> Susan
>
>
>
> Susan Stead
> Rare Books Librarian
> Library Services
> University College London
> Gower Street
> London WC1E 6BT
>
> Tel: 020-7679-4445/ 020-7679-7796
> Fax: 020-7679-7727
>
> s.stead@ucl.ac.uk (personal)
> mssrb@ucl.ac.uk (departmental)
> http://www.ucl.ac.uk/Library/special-coll/
>