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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 Leaf from Antiphonary

Leaf from Antiphonary

Venetian Artist
ca. 1485 (Renaissance)
W.415
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Image for Leaf from Canzoniere e Trionfi

Leaf from Canzoniere e Trionfi

1473 (Renaissance)
91.921.1R
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Image for Liber quartum super sententias

Liber quartum super sententias

1474 (early Renaissance)
W.349
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Image for Book of Hours

Book of Hours

French Artist
Manuscript: 4th quarter 15th century; Binding: late 19th century
W.225
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Image for Book of Hours

Book of Hours

late 15th century (Renaissance)
W.295
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Image for Processional

Processional

German Artist
late 15th-early 16th century, with 18th century additions
W.786
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Image for Single Leaf from a Short Work on the Passion of Christ

Single Leaf from a Short Work on the Passion of Christ

German Artist
1475
W.731
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Image for Illuminiated Prayer Book

Illuminiated Prayer Book

Dutch Artist
1475
W.834
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Image for Masters of the Dark Eyes Missal

Masters of the Dark Eyes Missal

late 15th-early 16th century
W.175
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Image for Gospel Book

Gospel Book

Aristakes Scribe
1475
W.540
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Image for Mihr and Mushtari

Mihr and Mushtari

881 AH/AD 1476
W.627
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Image for Proverbes en rimes

Proverbes en rimes

French Artist
ca. 1490 (Renaissance)
W.313
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Image for History of the Peloponnesian War

History of the Peloponnesian War

Thucydides Author
ca. 1490-1499 (Renaissance)
W.354
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Image for 6 miniatures

6 miniatures

French Artist
1480
W.236
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Image for Single Leaf from Mantiq al-tayr by Farid al-din `Atta

Single Leaf from Mantiq al-tayr by Farid al-din `Atta

late 9th century AH/AD 15th century (Timurid)
W.678
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Image for Five Poems (Quintet)

Five Poems (Quintet)

885-886 AH/AD 1481 (Timurid)
W.604
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Image for Compendium of Medicine

Compendium of Medicine

22 Rabi' II 889 AH/AD 1484
W.595
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Image for Artes Orandi, Epistolandi, Memoranda

Artes Orandi, Epistolandi, Memoranda

1485
91.1015
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Image for Five Poems (Quintet)

Five Poems (Quintet)

892 AH/AD 1486-900 AH/AD 1494-1495 (Safavid)
W.605
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Image for Epic of Alexander the Great

Epic of Alexander the Great

891 AH/AD 1486 (Ottoman)
W.664
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Image for Book of Hours

Book of Hours

French Artist
ca. 1500 (Renaissance)
W.294
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Image for Prayer Book (Compilation)

Prayer Book (Compilation)

Flemish Artist
ca. 1500
W.436
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Image for Suchtelen Hours

Suchtelen Hours

Flemish Artist
ca. 1500
W.176
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Image for Book of Hours

Book of Hours

Flemish Artist
ca. 1500
W.429
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Image for Book of Hours

Book of Hours

Flemish Artist
ca. 1500
W.178
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Image for Fragment of a Breviary

Fragment of a Breviary

Venetian Artist
ca. 1500 (early Renaissance)
W.336
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Image for The Aussem Hours

The Aussem Hours

German Artist
early 16th century
W.437
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Image for Silver Gospels

Silver Gospels

Ghazar Scribe
1488
W.542
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Image for Initial S with David in Deep Water

Initial S with David in Deep Water

ca. 1500 (Renaissance)
W.413.B
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Image for Book of Hours

Book of Hours

ca. 1500 (Renaissance)
W.430
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Image for Initial D with David in Prayer

Initial D with David in Prayer

ca. 1500 (Renaissance)
W.413.A
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