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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 Qur'an

Qur'an

African Artist
12th century AH/AD 18th century
W.568
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Image for Anthology of Persian Poetry

Anthology of Persian Poetry

Iranian Artist
12th century AH/AD 18th century
W.654
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Image for Single Leaf of a Mughal Emperor with a Document

Single Leaf of a Mughal Emperor with a Document

Indian Artist
12th-13th century AH/AD 18th-19th century (Mughal)
W.714
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Image for Single Leaf of a Seated Man with a Flower

Single Leaf of a Seated Man with a Flower

Indian Artist
12th century AH/AD 18th century (Mughal)
W.709
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Image for Dancing Girls

Dancing Girls

Indian Artist
12th century AH/AD 18th century (Rajput)
W.710
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Image for Mughal Court Scene

Mughal Court Scene

Indian Artist
12th century AH/AD 18th century (Mughal)
W.698
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Image for Single Leaf of a Portrait of the Emperor Akbar

Single Leaf of a Portrait of the Emperor Akbar

Indian Artist
12th century AH/AD 18th century (Mughal)
W.711
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Image for Women Bathing on the Bank of a River

Women Bathing on the Bank of a River

Indian Artist
early 12th century AH/AD 18th century (Rajput)
W.708
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Image for Work on the Duties of Muslims Towards the Prophet Muhammad with an Account of His Life

Work on the Duties of Muslims Towards the Prophet Muhammad with an Account of His Life

12th century AH/AD 18th century
W.580
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Image for Portrait of Lal Kunwar

Portrait of Lal Kunwar

Indian Artist
12th century AH/AD 18th century (Mughal)
W.712
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Image for Yusuf and Zulaykha

Yusuf and Zulaykha

late 12th century AH/AD 18th century (Mughal)
W.646
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Image for Tadhkirat awla al-albab wa al-Jami li'ajab al-'ujaab

Tadhkirat awla al-albab wa al-Jami li'ajab al-'ujaab

early 18th century
W.587
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Image for Turkish Version of the Wonders of Creation

Turkish Version of the Wonders of Creation

1121 AH/AD 1717 (Ottoman)
W.659
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Image for Five Poems (Quintet)

Five Poems (Quintet)

1133 AH/AD 1721 (Ottoman)
W.666
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Image for A Festive Gathering

A Festive Gathering

Indian Artist
ca. 1163 AH/AD 1750 (Mughal)
W.904
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Image for Qur'an

Qur'an

Iranian Artist
1151 AH/AD 1738
W.573
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Image for Single Leaf of Nayika and Attendants in Leafy Bowers

Single Leaf of Nayika and Attendants in Leafy Bowers

Indian Artist
ca. 1750
W.876
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Image for Heures Nouvelles a L'Usage des Laics, suivant le Nouveau Breviaire.

Heures Nouvelles a L'Usage des Laics, suivant le Nouveau Breviaire.

P. G. Simon Printer
1743
92.90
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Image for Suite d'estampes gravées par Madame la marquise de Pompadour, d'après les pierres gravées de Guay, graveur du roy

Suite d'estampes gravées par Madame la marquise de Pompadour, d'après les pierres gravées de Guay, graveur du roy

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Image for Traité des pierres gravées - volume 2

Traité des pierres gravées - volume 2

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Image for Traité des pierres gravées - volume 1

Traité des pierres gravées - volume 1

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Image for Single Leaf of Mullah Du Piyaza Riding a Horse

Single Leaf of Mullah Du Piyaza Riding a Horse

Indian Artist
mid 12th century AH/AD 18th century (Mughal)
W.701
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Image for Single Leaf with Lutheran Devotional Design

Single Leaf with Lutheran Devotional Design

1752
W.728
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Image for Prayer Book with Inserted Engravings

Prayer Book with Inserted Engravings

3rd quater 18th century
W.513
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Image for Letter & Envelope, from Catherine the Great to her Cousin, Prince Xavier of Saxony

Letter & Envelope, from Catherine the Great to her Cousin, Prince Xavier of Saxony

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Image for Fathers of the Solovetsky Monastery and Their Sufferings

Fathers of the Solovetsky Monastery and Their Sufferings

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Image for Work on the Duties of Muslims Towards the Prophet Muhammad with an Account of His Life

Work on the Duties of Muslims Towards the Prophet Muhammad with an Account of His Life

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Image for Certification of Arms and Genealogical Treatise

Certification of Arms and Genealogical Treatise

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Image for Album of Indian Miniatures and Persian Calligraphy

Album of Indian Miniatures and Persian Calligraphy

Indian Artist
late 12th century AH/AD 18th century-13th century AH/AD 19th century (Rajput)
W.669
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Image for Letter from Catherine the Great to Frederick William III

Letter from Catherine the Great to Frederick William III

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Image for Apocalypse with Patristic Commentary

Apocalypse with Patristic Commentary

ca. 1800
W.917
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