Main (Thompson) Library location: South wing -- End window. Johann Besicken (c.14-- – c.1509) was born in Besingheim, Germany and, by 1483, he matriculated at the University of Basel. A decade later, he established a printing press in Rome with Sigismundus Mayr; the two printed together, especially on the works of theologians Giuliano Dati and Raynaldus Monsaureus, until 1499. Shortly after, Besicken entered a partnership with Martinus de Amsterdam when they released a joint publication entitled Dialogus de dolore cum tractatu de ulceribus in pudendagra. After a brief, but prolific period spent with de Amsterdam, Besicken began to print independently. His primary area of focus concerned the printing of Roman guidebooks, city law and oratory, and papal court proceedings. The latest work attributed to Besicken is entitled Iudicium uniuersale from 1507. It is believed that Stephanus Guillereti took over his typesets and press in 1509. Besicken's mark in the Vassar Library contains two sets of initials. The first is a monogram with the letters I.M. interlaced – it remains unclear what this signifies. Just above are the printer's initials, I. B. In other versions of the device these two monograms appear on a heraldic shield from which rays of light emanate on both sides.