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Manuscripts and Rare Books

With more than 900 illuminated manuscripts, 1,250 of the first printed books (ca. 1455 - 1500), and an important collection of post-1500 deluxe editions, this extraordinary collection chronicles the art of the book over more than 1,000 years. The collection is from all over the world, and from ancient to modern times. It features deluxe Gospel books from Armenia, Ethiopia, Byzantium, and Ottonian Germany, French and Flemish books of hours, as well as masterpieces of Safavid, Mughal and Ottoman manuscript illumination. It also includes important first printed editions of ancient texts by great thinkers such as Aristotle and Euclid, diaries written by Napoleon and intricate bindings crafted by Tiffany. The early printed book collection highlights the experimental nature of the first attempts at printing. Some of these books have been illuminated by hand, and many are unique objects. 

Walters Ex Libris

Explore digitized manuscripts, bindings, and single leaves from the collection of the Walters Art Museum.

The Walters Ex Libris
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Image for Turkish Version of Sindbadnama

Turkish Version of Sindbadnama

10th century AH/AD 16th century (Ottoman)
W.662
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Image for Single Leaf from Akbarnama by Abu'l Fazl

Single Leaf from Akbarnama by Abu'l Fazl

late 10th century AH/AD 16th century (Mughal)
W.874
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Image for Two Works on Islamic Beliefs and Practices

Two Works on Islamic Beliefs and Practices

10th century AH/AD 16th century (Ottoman)
W.665
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Image for Album of Calligraphy

Album of Calligraphy

10th century AH/16th century AD-12th century AH/18th century AD (Ottoman)
W.672
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Image for Collection of Poems (Divan)

Collection of Poems (Divan)

10th century AH/AD 16th century (Safavid)
W.639
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Image for Album of Persian Miniatures and Calligraphy

Album of Persian Miniatures and Calligraphy

10th century AH/AD 16th century-14th century AH/AD 20th century
W.671
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Image for Five Poems (Quintet)

Five Poems (Quintet)

10th century AH/AD 16th century (Safavid)
W.663
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Image for Maritime Atlas

Maritime Atlas

Turkish Artist
10th century AH/AD 16th century (Ottoman)
W.660
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Image for Collection of Poems (Divan)

Collection of Poems (Divan)

10th century AH/AD 16th century (Safavid)
W.632
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Image for The Seven Beauties (Haft paykar)

The Seven Beauties (Haft paykar)

late 10th century AH/AD 16th century (Safavid)
W.614
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Image for Rationarum Evangelistarum

Rationarum Evangelistarum

1502 (Renaissance)
92.394
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Image for Book of Hours, Salisbury

Book of Hours, Salisbury

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Image for Single Leaf and Fragment with Crucifixion and Colophon

Single Leaf and Fragment with Crucifixion and Colophon

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Image for Book of Hours

Book of Hours

ca. 1520 (Renaissance)
W.452
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Image for Book of Hours

Book of Hours

Flemish Artist
ca. 1520-1530
W.425
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Image for Almugavar Hours

Almugavar Hours

Spanish Artist
1510-1520
W.420
On view
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Image for Collection of Poems (Divan)

Collection of Poems (Divan)

Sha'ban 918 AH/AD 1512 (Safavid)
W.628
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Image for Book of Hours

Book of Hours

ca. 1524 (Renaissance)
W.446
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Image for Book of Hours

Book of Hours

ca. 1524 (Renaissance)
W.449
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Image for Five Poems (Quintet)

Five Poems (Quintet)

922 AH/AD 1516 (Safavid)
W.609
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Image for Five Poems (Quintet)

Five Poems (Quintet)

923-924 AH/AD 1517-1518
W.606
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Image for Leaf from Five Poems (Quintet)

Leaf from Five Poems (Quintet)

923-924 AH/AD 1517-1518
W.608.333B
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Image for Leaf from Five Poems (Quintet)

Leaf from Five Poems (Quintet)

923-924 AH/AD 1517-1518
W.608.320B
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Image for Hermes Debates with 70 Greek Scholars

Hermes Debates with 70 Greek Scholars

923-924 AH/AD 1517-1518
W.606.333B
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Image for Colophon

Colophon

923-924 AH/AD 1517-1518
W.606.368A
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Image for Illuminated Leaf with the Profession of Clarissan Nun

Illuminated Leaf with the Profession of Clarissan Nun

Flemish Artist
ca. 1530-1550
W.923
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Image for Collected Works (Kulliyat)

Collected Works (Kulliyat)

926 AH/AD 1520
W.616
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Image for Book of Hours

Book of Hours

ca. 1535 (Renaissance)
W.451
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Image for Book of Hours

Book of Hours

1525 (Renaissance)
92.82
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Image for Collected Works (Kulliyat)

Collected Works (Kulliyat)

934 AH/AD 1527 (Safavid)
W.617
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Image for La prison d'amours, laquelle traicte de lamour de Leriano & Laureole / faict en Espaignol: puis translate en tusquan: et nagueres en lange Francois.; Ensemble plusieurs choses singulieres a la louege des dames Imprime nouuellement.

La prison d'amours, laquelle traicte de lamour de Leriano & Laureole / faict en Espaignol: puis translate en tusquan: et nagueres en lange Francois.; Ensemble plusieurs choses singulieres a la louege des dames Imprime nouuellement.

1527
92.324
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