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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 Collection of Poems

Collection of Poems

1017 AH/AD 1609 (Safavid)
W.623
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Image for Marvels of the World

Marvels of the World

1022 AH/AD 1613 (Safavid)
W.652
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Image for Book of Kings (Shahnama)

Book of Kings (Shahnama)

Manuscript: 1028 AH/AD 1618-1619; Illustrations: 13th century AH/AD 19th century (Safavid)
W.601
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Image for Book of Kings (Shahnama)

Book of Kings (Shahnama)

1028 AH/AD 1618-1619 (Qajar)
W.602
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Image for Young Man with a Flower

Young Man with a Flower

Iranian Artist
11th century AH/AD 17th century (Safavid)
W.680
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Image for Single Leaf of Courtiers at a Reception of Shah `Abbas I

Single Leaf of Courtiers at a Reception of Shah `Abbas I

Iranian Artist
mid 11th century AH/AD 17th century (Safavid)
W.691
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Image for Single Leaf of a Nilgai

Single Leaf of a Nilgai

Indian Artist
1625-1650 (Mughal)
W.865
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Image for Single Leaf of a Portrait of Shah Jahan

Single Leaf of a Portrait of Shah Jahan

Indian Artist
mid 11th century AH/AD 17th century (Mughal)
W.700
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Image for Single Leaf of an Old Man Kneeling

Single Leaf of an Old Man Kneeling

mid 11th century AH/AD 17th century (Safavid)
W.686
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Image for Five Poems (Quintet)

Five Poems (Quintet)

1059 AH/AD 1649 (Safavid; Qajar)
W.611
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Image for Jesuit Priest

Jesuit Priest

Indian Artist
mid-11th century AH/17th century AD (Mughal)
W.695
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Image for Burning and Melting

Burning and Melting

1068 AH/AD 1657 (Safavid; Mughal)
W.649
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Image for Book on Navigation

Book on Navigation

late 11th century AH/AD 17th century-early 12th century AH/AD 18th century (Ottoman)
W.658
On view
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Image for Collection of Poems (masnavi)

Collection of Poems (masnavi)

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Image for Gospels

Gospels

Armenian Artist
1666
W.544
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Image for Le Nouveau Testament de Nostre Seigneur Jesus Christ

Le Nouveau Testament de Nostre Seigneur Jesus Christ

1668
92.182
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Image for Three Hundred Sixty Sufi Questions

Three Hundred Sixty Sufi Questions

1081 AH/AD 1670 (Ottoman)
W.585
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Image for America being the latest, and most accurate description of the Nevv VVorld; containing the original of the inhabitants, and the remarkable voyages thither. The conquest of the vast empires of Mexico and Peru, and other large provinces and territories, with the several European plantations in those parts. Also their cities, fortresses, towns, temples, mountains, and rivers. Their habits, customs, manners, and religions. Their plants, beasts, birds, and serpents. With an appendix, containing, besides several other considerable additions, a brief survey of what hath been discover'd of the unknown south-land and the arctick region. Collected from most authentick authors, augmented with later observations, and adorn'd with maps and sculptures, by John Ogilby Esq; His Majesty's cosmographer, geographick printer ...

America being the latest, and most accurate description of the Nevv VVorld; containing the original of the inhabitants, and the remarkable voyages thither. The conquest of the vast empires of Mexico and Peru, and other large provinces and territories, with the several European plantations in those parts. Also their cities, fortresses, towns, temples, mountains, and rivers. Their habits, customs, manners, and religions. Their plants, beasts, birds, and serpents. With an appendix, containing, besides several other considerable additions, a brief survey of what hath been discover'd of the unknown south-land and the arctick region. Collected from most authentick authors, augmented with later observations, and adorn'd with maps and sculptures, by John Ogilby Esq; His Majesty's cosmographer, geographick printer ...

John Ogilby Author
1671
92.537
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Image for Glossary of Islamic Legal Terminology

Glossary of Islamic Legal Terminology

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Image for Adoration of the Magi

Adoration of the Magi

late 17th century (High Renaissance)
W.498
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Image for Gondar Homiliary

Gondar Homiliary

late 17th century (early Gondarine)
W.835
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Image for Gondarine sensul

Gondarine sensul

Ethiopian Artist
late 17th century (Gondarine)
36.10
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Image for Hymnal

Hymnal

1678
W.547
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Image for Single Leaf of a Couple Embracing

Single Leaf of a Couple Embracing

1098 AH/AD1689 (Safavid)
W.690
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Image for Anthology of Persian Poetry

Anthology of Persian Poetry

Iranian Artist
1105 AH/AD 1693 (Safavid)
W.653
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Image for Two Ethiopian Prayer Books copied together

Two Ethiopian Prayer Books copied together

Ethiopian Artist
18th century
W.844
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Image for Scroll with Angels and Talismans

Scroll with Angels and Talismans

Ethiopian Artist
18th century (Modern)
W.788
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Image for Portrait of a Ruler

Portrait of a Ruler

Indian Artist
1111-1163 AH/AD 1700-1750
W.889
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Image for Ethiopic Psalter with Canticles, Song of Songs, and Two Hymns in Praise of Mary

Ethiopic Psalter with Canticles, Song of Songs, and Two Hymns in Praise of Mary

Early 18th century and 19th century
W.768
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Image for Qur'an

Qur'an

12th century AH/AD 18th century
W.574
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Image for Single Leaf of Shah Sarmad and Prince Dara Shikoh

Single Leaf of Shah Sarmad and Prince Dara Shikoh

Indian Artist
12th century AH/AD 18th century (Mughal)
W.912
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