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Does anyone know what the symbol at the end of Harmonice Musices Odhecaton means? (the symbol containing two superimposed crosses coming out of the top of an upside-down teardrop shape with the letters "O", "P" and "F")

Thanks!

Could you please provide a link to a web page showing this image?

Yes, a link is always helpful, although I see the symbol online. Since the author's name is listed in Italian as Ottaviano de' Petrucci da Fossombrone,
I would guess that the O, P and F are the author's initials.

Great, thank you! Sorry about not posting a link - I didn't know how to post a link to the last page of the online pdf.

And thank you in return for getting back; not everyone bothers to answer once a response is given. As for posting a link: since I have never had occasion to do this here, perhaps coulonnus could offer assistance...?

When entering a new post, the URL button helps to create a link:
This is a useful example.

Max

Again, thanks...

Other people explained the meaning of the initials, but not what it actually is: the symbol is the publisher's colophon, and above it is printed the right of privilege granted by the republic of Venice. Most of Petrucci's books have them at the end, though the last couple omit it.

Here are pics of the final symbol in facsimiles of the Odhecaton, Canti B, and Canti C (all from Broude Brothers): http://plover.net/~agarvin/petrucci-mark.jpg

You can find a description of it around page 155 in Stanley Boorman's book (also pictured).