Jakob Krause (circa 1532–1585) is considered the most prominent bookbinder of the German Renaissance. After completing his master craftsman’s training in Augsburg, he began working for Augustus, Elector of Saxony (1526–1586) in Dresden in 1566. Inspired by French and Italian designs, his bindings are distinguished by their highly meticulous craftsmanship.

Taffeln der Division.
2 volumes, manuscript on paper. – Dresden, 16th century.
Shelf mark: K.A.768 / K.A.316 (= Mscr.Dresd.C.440)

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Russet/brown calfskin on cardboard, decorated with panel stamps (interlacing and scrollwork lines) in the centre and corners, as well as single stamps (front cover featuring entwined bordering, title, coat of arms of Elector Augustus/back cover bearing the coat of arms of Electress Anna and the year 1571) in blackened metal embossing/gold embossing. The cut edges are gilded on all sides, engraved with brown coloured twine and figures, and painted with the electoral coat of arms.

Ludovicus Rabus: Christlichs Bettbüchlin.
Part 2.– 1570.
Shelf mark: K.A.291 (= Theol.ev.asc.1833)

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Dark-brown calfskin on cardboard, decorated with panel stamps (front cover bearing the coat of arms and initials of Elector Augustus/back cover bearing the coat of arms of Electress Anna), a roll-stamp (entwined bordering), individual stamps (leaves, rosettes, title) and curved lines (corner patterns) in gold embossing. 

Christoph Vischer: Christlicher vnd in heiliger Göttlicher Schrifft wol gegründeter Bericht, Von dem Hochwirdigen Abendmal vnsers einigen waren Erlösers vnd Seligmachers Jhesu Christi.
Uelzen 1575.
Shelf mark: K.A.288 (= Theol.ev.dogm.1071)

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Dark-brown calfskin on cardboard, decorated with a panel stamp (interlacing, twine and scroll cartouche) and single stamps (front cover featuring the name and title of Elector Augustus, book title with year [15]81 and the beginning of the Lutheran hymn Erhalt uns Herre bey deinem Wort, which continues on the back cover) in gold embossing.

Girolamo Rossi: Historiarum Ravennatum libri decem: Gothorum atque Longobardorum res gestas variamque multarum provinciarum et diversorum eventuum Ravennatem ...
Venice 1572.
Shelf mark: K.A.134 (= Hist.Ital.C.143)

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Dark-brown calfskin on cardboard, decorated with panel stamps (front cover featuring a medallion bearing the coat of arms and initials of Elector Augustus/back cover featuring the coat of arms of Electress Anna), a roll-stamp (middle entwined bordering) and single stamps (foliage, curved lines, title, affixed retrospectively) in gold embossing.

Thucidides, der aller-thewrest und dapfferest Historienschreiber, von dem Pelopouneser Krieg ...
Augsburg: H. Steyner, 1533.
Shelf mark: K.A.228 (= Lit.Graec.B.827)

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Dark-brown calfskin on cardboard, decorated, over older blind embossing, with panel stamps (central piece and four corner pieces with interlacing) and single stamps (front cover featuring the author’s name, the year [15]74 and entwined initials of Elector Augustus and Electress Anna, back cover featuring the Saxon electoral coat of arms with lily stamps) in gold embossing.

Euclides: Elementa libris 15 restituta.
Acc. XVI lib., novissime collat isunt XVII et XVIII. –Paris 1578.
Shelf mark: K.A.550 (= Lit.Graec.B.384)

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Pale pigskin on wood, decorated with a panel stamp (front cover bearing the coat of arms, name and title of Elector Augustus, back cover bearing those of Electress Anna), roll-stamp (palmette, Evangelists – Luke as the patron saint of bookbinders with the initials I[akob] K[rause] – and warrior heads with weapons) and single stamps (initials of Elector Augustus and the year 1579) in blind embossing.