Main (Thompson) Library location: South wing -- Third window. Antonio Blado (1490 – 1567) was born in Asola, Italy in 1490 established his printing press in Rome and soon after began to publish a series of excerpts from a 12th century collection of narratives entitled Mirabilia Urbis Romae. Blado was well known for his use of multilingual typesets and his elaborate woodcut illustrations. In 1535, he was appointed the official papal printer, for which position Blado printed more than two thousand documents, including pontifical edicts, bulls, briefs, and indulgences. He worked occasionally from presses located in the towns of Rieti and Foligno. Following his death in 1567, Blado was succeeded by his son Paolo, who printed for the papal state until 1591. The monogram A.B. surmounted by a patriarchal cross comprises the mark of Antonio Blado. Occasionally, this mark appeared beside the illustration of a crowned bird supporting a flowing sheet or cloth.