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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 The Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye, volume 2

The Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye, volume 2

1892
92.924.2
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Image for The Charles Whittinghams Printers

The Charles Whittinghams Printers

Arthur Warren Author
1896
92.1209
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Image for Catalog of Etchings and Dry Points by Rembrandt

Catalog of Etchings and Dry Points by Rembrandt

The Grolier Club Publisher
1900
92.1201
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Image for Le pavillon sur l'eau

Le pavillon sur l'eau

1900
92.846
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Image for Buddhist Sutra

Buddhist Sutra

Burmese Artist
early 20th century
2012.11.1
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Image for The Forsaken Merman

The Forsaken Merman

1901
92.677
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Image for Description of Mr. Henry Walters' Collection of Oriental Royal Arms Etc.

Description of Mr. Henry Walters' Collection of Oriental Royal Arms Etc.

1903
W.848
On view
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Image for Le Roi des Aulnes (Der Erlkönig)

Le Roi des Aulnes (Der Erlkönig)

1904
92.869
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Image for Clothilde Missal

Clothilde Missal

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Image for Catalogue of an Exhibition of the Text of Shakespeare's Plays

Catalogue of an Exhibition of the Text of Shakespeare's Plays

The Grolier Club Publisher
1916
92.1269
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Image for The Pierrot of the Minute

The Pierrot of the Minute

1923
92.1232
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Image for  L'Offrande Lyrique

L'Offrande Lyrique

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Image for Deux Contes

Deux Contes

1926
92.1124
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Image for Les Ballades Françaises

Les Ballades Françaises

1927
92.1033
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Image for Anaphora of Mary (Mass book)

Anaphora of Mary (Mass book)

2nd quarter 20th century
W.829
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Image for Ethiopian Prayer Book

Ethiopian Prayer Book

mid 20th century (Modern)
W.784
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Image for Paul Bonet

Paul Bonet

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Image for English Brasses

English Brasses

1949
W.769
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