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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 (Divan)

Collection of Poems (Divan)

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Image for Phra Malai and Other Buddhist Texts

Phra Malai and Other Buddhist Texts

Thai Artist
1791 (early Bangkok)
W.933
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Image for Collection of Poems (Divan)

Collection of Poems (Divan)

1210 AH/AD 1796 (Fatimid)
W.636
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Image for Qur'an

Qur'an

Islamic Artist
1800-1900
W.576
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Image for Chapter Fifty-Three of the Book of Isaiah

Chapter Fifty-Three of the Book of Isaiah

19th century
W.842
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Image for Qur'an

Qur'an

Baksh Scribe
19th century
W.572
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Image for Single Leaf of Elephant Combat

Single Leaf of Elephant Combat

Indian Artist
13th century AH/AD 19th century (Mughal)
W.715
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Image for Qur'an Board

Qur'an Board

African Artist
19th century
61.347
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Image for Abridgment of the Book of Kings (Shahnama)

Abridgment of the Book of Kings (Shahnama)

13th century AH/AD 19th century
W.597
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Image for Anthology of Persian Poetry

Anthology of Persian Poetry

Iranian Artist
early 13th century AH/AD 19th century (Qajar)
W.655
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Image for Divination Manuscript

Divination Manuscript

Indian Artist
19th century
W.921
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Image for Collection of Poems (Divan)

Collection of Poems (Divan)

13th century AH/AD 19th century (Fatimid)
W.637
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Image for Qur'an

Qur'an

Iranian Artist
13th century AH/AD 19th century (Qajar)
W.575
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Image for Ottoman Diploma in Calligraphy

Ottoman Diploma in Calligraphy

1219 AH/AD 1804-1805 (Ottoman)
W.674
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Image for Qur'an

Qur'an

Iranian Artist
1230 AH/AD 1814-1815 (?)
W.567
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Image for Treatise on Elephants

Treatise on Elephants

Thai Artist
1824 (Rattanakosin)
W.893
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Image for Single Leaf of a Portrait of the Emperor Jahangir

Single Leaf of a Portrait of the Emperor Jahangir

Indian Artist
13th century AH/AD 1825-1875 (Mughal)
W.705
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Image for Emblematical Figures, Representations and Etc. to Please the Eye

Emblematical Figures, Representations and Etc. to Please the Eye

1826-1827
37.2518
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Image for Livre d'heures d'après les manuscrits de la Bibliothèque royale [Color facsimile]

Livre d'heures d'après les manuscrits de la Bibliothèque royale [Color facsimile]

Engelmann and Graf Publisher
1846
92.124
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Image for The Lights of Canopus

The Lights of Canopus

1264 AH/AD 1847 (Qajar)
W.599
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Image for Single Leaf of an Outdoor Scene in the Safavid Style

Single Leaf of an Outdoor Scene in the Safavid Style

Iranian (?) Artist
late 13th century AH/AD 19th century (Safavid)
W.812
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Image for Qur'an

Qur'an

1269 AH/AD 1853 (Ottoman)
W.743
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Image for Book on Horses

Book on Horses

1271 AH/AD 1854-1855 (Ottoman)
W.661
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Image for Autograph Letter from Sybby Grant to Her Enslaver, John Hanson Thomas

Autograph Letter from Sybby Grant to Her Enslaver, John Hanson Thomas

1861
15.34.1
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Image for In "Londres et les Anglais illustrés par Gavarni"

In "Londres et les Anglais illustrés par Gavarni"

Henry Vizetelly (British, 1820-1894) Engraver (Printmaker)
1862
92.664
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Image for Voyages de Gulliver par Swift, traduction de L'Abbé-Desfontaine Revue, corrigée et précedée d'une introduction par M. Jules Janin. Illustrations de Gavarni

Voyages de Gulliver par Swift, traduction de L'Abbé-Desfontaine Revue, corrigée et précedée d'une introduction par M. Jules Janin. Illustrations de Gavarni

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Image for Qur'an

Qur'an

1282 AH/AD 1865-1866 (Ottoman)
W.577
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Image for A Catalogue of Blue and White Nankin Porcelain Forming the Collection of Sir Henry Thompson

A Catalogue of Blue and White Nankin Porcelain Forming the Collection of Sir Henry Thompson

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Image for Livre de Prières. Tissé d'après les enluminures des manuscrits du XIVe au XVIe siècle

Livre de Prières. Tissé d'après les enluminures des manuscrits du XIVe au XVIe siècle

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Image for Modern Bookbinding Practically Considered

Modern Bookbinding Practically Considered

1889
92.1263 ()
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Image for Paris qui crie, petits métiers

Paris qui crie, petits métiers

Albert Arnal Author
1890
92.1081
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