The red cover is illustrated with a copperplate engraving. Four people are pictured conversing in front of a shop premises, with one holding an opened newspaper. The sign on the right-hand side reads: Peter Hammer Libraire. On the left, there are two older men observing the group intently, while on the right two others are hunched over a magazine. The scene is contained in a round border, decorated at the top with oak leaf garlands. Below this are two overlapping flaming torches.