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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 History of the Desctruction of Troy

History of the Desctruction of Troy

English Artist
second half 14th century (Gothic)
W.81
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Image for Initial R with Mass at the Time of the Plague

Initial R with Mass at the Time of the Plague

2nd half 14th century (Medieval)
W.752.A
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Image for Le pèlerinage de la vie humaine

Le pèlerinage de la vie humaine

ca. 1370
W.141
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Image for Amplified Poem in Honor of the Prophet Muhammad

Amplified Poem in Honor of the Prophet Muhammad

767 AH/AD 1366
W.581
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Image for Antiphonary

Antiphonary

ca. 1380 (Medieval-early Renaissance)
W.153
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Image for Qur'an

Qur'an

Egyptian Artist
4th quarter 8th century AH/AD 14th century (Mamluk)
W.561
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Image for Single leaf with Christ's entombment and resurrection

Single leaf with Christ's entombment and resurrection

Ethiopian Artist
late 14th century (Solomonic)
W.839
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Image for Scala Santa

Scala Santa

late 14th century (Medieval)
W.157
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Image for Two Leaves from the Mirror of Human Salvation

Two Leaves from the Mirror of Human Salvation

German Artist
late 14th century (Gothic)
W.149
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Image for Ethiopian canon tables

Ethiopian canon tables

Ethiopian Artist
late 14th-early 15th century (Solomonic)
W.838
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Image for Single leaf with Saint Luke

Single leaf with Saint Luke

Ethiopian Artist
late 14th century (Solomonic)
W.840
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Image for Leaf from Antiphonary

Leaf from Antiphonary

1380-1390 (Early Renaissance)
W.416
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Image for Book of Hours

Book of Hours

1387-1394 (Gothic)
W.96
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Image for Book of Hours

Book of Hours

ca. 1408-1411 (International Gothic)
W.326
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Image for Papal Confession before a pope

Papal Confession before a pope

1400-1404 (Medieval)
W.171.116V
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Image for A Church representing the Promised Land

A Church representing the Promised Land

1400-1404 (Medieval)
W.171.117V
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Image for Moses Receives the Ten Commandments

Moses Receives the Ten Commandments

1400-1404 (Medieval)
W.171.122V
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Image for The Symbols of the Four Evangelists

The Symbols of the Four Evangelists

1400-1404 (Medieval)
W.171.156R
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Image for Pythagoras and his disciples

Pythagoras and his disciples

1400-1404 (Medieval)
W.171.148V
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Image for Amherst Hours

Amherst Hours

Dutch Artist
1400-1500
W.167
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Image for Doffinnes Hours

Doffinnes Hours

1st quarter 15th century
W.185
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Image for Hours of Pastor Denys

Hours of Pastor Denys

Flemish Artist
early 15th century
W.169
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Image for Duke Albrecht's Table of Christian Faith (Winter Part)

Duke Albrecht's Table of Christian Faith (Winter Part)

1400-1404 (Medieval)
W.171
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Image for Book of Hours

Book of Hours

Flemish Artist
ca. 1400-1415
W.215
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Image for The Orchard (Bustan)

The Orchard (Bustan)

9th century AH/AD 15th century (Safavid)
W.620
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Image for Psalter

Psalter

15th century (Renaissance)
W.330
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Image for Leaf from Qur'an

Leaf from Qur'an

Indian Artist
9th century AH/AD 15th century (Timurid)
W.563.40B
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Image for Qur'an

Qur'an

Indian Artist
15th century (Timurid)
W.563
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Image for Qur'an

Qur'an

Iranian (?) Artist
9th century AH/AD 15th century (Timurid)
W.562
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Image for One Hundred Sayings

One Hundred Sayings

9th century AH/AD 15th century
W.615
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Image for Added Prayer to the Virgin from the Fieschi Psalter

Added Prayer to the Virgin from the Fieschi Psalter

Flemish Artist
15th century
W.45.291R
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