The examples of the history and process of making and selling books during the Medieval and Early Modern Periods in Europe, specifically describing the transition from manuscript to print, and its impact on society. Students have an opportunity to learn the proper handling of early materials. This program works well in conjunction with the DVD "Anatomy Of A Book," available in the Microform and Media Services area on the 2nd floor of the Library. To request a class visit, please email the Curator.
The Manuscript Era
The structure and process of creating a medieval manuscript book is explained using:
These illuminated leaves, encased in mylar for safe handling, provide a glimpse into manuscript production for a variety of works from 1150 to the early 1400s.
Vellum Manuscript, ca. 1200.
Rare Oversize PA8200.A1 .V444 1200A
This vellum manuscript, which was originally part of a binding, allows students to feel actual 13th century vellum, and to examine it close up without worry of damage to the materials.
The Ellesmere Facsimile of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. (1995 facsimile of ca. 1400 manuscript)
NIU's copy of this illuminated facsimile is bound in an early fifteenth-century-type binding of oak boards and quarter leather.
(Book Arts Coll. O/S PR1866 .W761995a)
The Early Hand-Press Period
[ Bible. Latin. Vulgate. 1454?]
The Gutenberg Bible : a commentary, historical background, transcription, translation by Jean-Marie Dodu. [Paris] : Éditions Les Incunables, c1985.
Rare Books Collection Oversize Z241 .B58 1985A
Vol. 1-2 consists of a facsimile reprint of the Mazarin Library copy of the Gutenberg Bible; vol. 3-4 contains historical background, a list of all known copies of the Gutenberg Bible, transcription, and translation into English.
Martial. [Epigrammata].
Martialis cum duobus commentis. [Venetiis, Bartholameu[s] de Zanis de Portesio, 1493].
Rare Oversize. PA 6501 A2 1493
This incunable is the library's oldest printed book. It shows a full-leather repaired 15th century binding, with clasps. It is also an example of a folio.
Schedel, Hartmann, 1440-1514.
Liber cronicarum.
Nuremberg, A. Koberger, 23 Dec. 1493; New York, Brussels and Brussels, 1966.
Book Arts Collection Z241 .S31 1966
Notes: Woodcut title: Register des Buchs der Croniken und Geschichten mit Figure und Pildnussen von Anbegin der Welt bis auf dise unsere Zeit. Book Arts Collection. Illus. by Michael Wolgemut and Wilhelm Pleydenwurff. Tr. from the Latin by George Alt.
Also known as the "Nuremberg Chronicle," this is a facsimile of a book that documents the history of the world from creation through 1493, featuring hundreds of woodcuts of rulers, popes, and cities.
Bible. Latin. Vulgate. 1590. Biblia Sacra : quid in hac editione à theologis louaniensibus praestitum sit, paulo post indicatur.
Antverpiae : Ex officina Christophori Plantini, apud viduam, M.D.XC. [1590]
Rare BS 75 1590ba
This 1590 Bible in octavo format was printed by the widow of Christopher Plantin. The Plantin Press in Antwerp was one of the most important presses during this period. The Plantin-Moretus Museum in Antwerp is dedicated to continuing their legacy.
Bible. O.T. Psalms. Greek. Selections.
Psalmorum Dauidis aliquot metaphrasis Graeca, Ioannis Serrani. Adiuncta regione paraphrasi Latina G. Bvchanani. Precationes eivsdem graecolatinae, quae ad singulorum Psalmorum argumentum sunt accommodatae.
[Geneva] Anno M.D.LXXV, Excudebat Henr. Stephanus. 1575.
Rare BS 1441 S47x 1575
The Etienne family was famous for creating the first scholarly editions of works. This example of a side-by-side Greek and Latin translation of the Psalms of David in octavo format from the Etienne press is the 16th-century equivalent of standard works such as Penguin or Norton Critical editions used by students. It includes blank leaves suitable for notetaking.
The remonstrance and petition of the County of Huntington, the Knights, Gentlemen, Clergy, Freeholders, and Inhabitants. To the right honourable the Lords, and Commons assembled in Parliament, for the continuance of the Church-government, and Divine service, or Book of Common Prayer.
[London?]: Printed in the year. 1641.
Rare BX 5075 A5 R4
This is an example of the many pamphlets produced during the first hundred years of printing, documenting political and social arguments and causes.
Fleming, Abraham 1552?-1607.
The diamond of devotion: cut and squared into six severall points ... full of many fruitfull lessons availeable to the leading of a godly and reformed life.
Printed at London for the Company of Stationers, 1608.
Rare BJ 1551 F555 1608a
This book is an example of popular devotional literature, produced in a portable, pocket size for personal use. It is printed using gothic or black letter type.
Thomas, a` Kempis, 1380-1471.
Thomae Malleoli A. Kempis... Opera omnia : Ad avtographa eiusdem denvo emendata, atq; etiam in edition tum prima tum secunda aucta plurimum: omnia vero` in tres tomos distributa : opera ac stvdio R. P. Henrici Sommaliij e` Societate IESV... Editio scvunda.
Antverpiae : Ex Officina typographica Martini Nvtii, 1607
Rare Books Collection BX890 .T45 1607
Ornamental initials. Title vignette. An example of a book in quarto format. The exposed binding on this copy also shows contemporary sewing practices.
Taylor, Jeremy, 1613-1667.
The great exemplar of sanctity and holy life according to the Christian institution: described in the history of the life and death of the Ever Blessed Jesus Christ the Saviour of the world ... In three parts; with many additionals. By Jer. Taylor.
London, Printed by James Flesher, for Richard Royston, 1653.
Jeremy Taylor Collection Oversize BT300 .T2 1653
Portrait engraved by P. Lombart; added t. p. and 10 plates engraved by W. Faithorne. Pages have margins ruled in red with Oxford corners. Bound with contemporary English brown morocco with gilt panels and fleurons; spine gilt extra. Each part has separate t. p. with vignette. General title and title of pt. 1 in red and black; others in black with red rules. Errata at foot of p. 568. Second edition. Wing, T343; Gaithorne-Hardy and Williams 9C[state 1]. "Epistle Dedicatory" of part 2, to " ... Lady Mary, countesse dowager of Northampton"; of pt. 3, to " ... Lady Frances, countesse Carbery." The binding includes the initials of a former owner.
Porphyry, ca. 234-ca. 305.
Porphyriou ... Peri apoches empsychon Biblia tessara ... Porphyrii ... De abstinentia ab animalibus necandis libri quatour. Ex nova versione: cui subjiciuntur notæ breviusculæ. Ejusdem liber De vita Pythagoræ: & Sententiæ ad intelligibilia ducentes: De antro nympharum quod in Odyssea describitur. Lucas Holstenius ... latine` vertit. Dissertationem de vita & scriptis Porphyrii, & ad Vitam Pythagoræ observationes adjecit.
Cantabrigiae, ex celeberrimae Academiae typographeo, impensis G. Morden, 1655.
Rare Books Collection PA4396 .D2 1655
Notes: Printer's device (Cambridge, University printers) on last page following index. Wing P-2978. Greek and Latin in parallel columns. Bound in vellum. An early academic treatise on vegetarianism.
Cicero, Marcus Tullius.
[Epistolae ad Atticum. Italian]. Le pistole di Cicerone ad Attico, fatte volgari da M. Matteo Senarega.
In Vinegia, : [s.n.], [1555?]
Rare Books Collection PA6314. E5 S46 1555A
References: Adams C1997 Renouard, p. 164 Notes: Counterfeit of the Aldine edition of 1555. Cf. Renouard. Signatures: A-3D8. Translation of the author's Epistolae ad Atticum. Leaves 213, 215, 254 and 259 incorrectly numbered 207, 251, 154 and 261 respectively. Printer's device on t.p.; initials; capital spaces with guide letters. Leaf 3D8 blank.
Les Principes de la géographie : methodiquement expliquez, pour donner une Idée générale de toutes les parties de l'Univers, & pour faciliter l'intelligence des tables & des cartes géographiques ; avec un abregé chronologique, pour servir d'introduction a` l'étude de l'histoire.
A Amsterdam : Chez Abraham Wolfgang, prés. de la Bourse, 1692.
Rare Books Collection G114 .P756 1692A
An early geography text.
Birchley, William, 1613-1669.
The Christian moderator : or, persecution for religion condemned, by the light of nature, law of God, evidence of our own principles. The second edition revised and augmented.
London : Printed by N.T. for H.J., 1652.
Rare Books Collection BX 1780 .A857X
Shepard, Thomas, 1605-1649.
The sound beleever. A treatise of evangelicall conversion. Discovering the work of Christs Spirit, in reconciling of a sinner to God.
London: Printed for Andrew Crooke at the Green Dragon in Pauls-chrrch-yard, 1653.
Rare Books Collection BV 4914 S55 1653
In paper wrappers.
Heinsius, Daniel, 1580-1655.
Orationvm editio nova : auctior, atqueita emendata, vt alia videri pozzit ; accedunt dissertationes aliquot, nec vnius argumenti.
Lugd[unum] Batavorum [Leiden, Netherlands] : ex officina Elzeviriana, 1642.
Rare Books Collection PA6138.O8 H44X
Stillingfleet, Edward, 1635-1699.
A defence of the Discourse concerning the idolatry practised in the Church of Rome, in answer to a book entituled, Catholicks no idolaters. By Ed. Stillingfleet ... The two first parts.
London, Printed by Robert White for Henry Mortlock ... 1676.
Rare Books Collection BX1775.G7 S75X
Notes: First edition. Signatures: pt. 1. A8, a8, B-Y8, Z1?6 (A1, blank, wanting); pt. 2. 1 leaf unsigned, Z7?8, Aa-Zz8, Aaa-Iii8, Kkk7. Title within double line border. An answer to the book by Thomas Godden. Part 2 has special t.-p.: The second part of the answer to T.G. Bound in old sprinkled calf, rebacked. Pages 495, 669 incorrectly numbered 395, 699, respectively.
Florus, Lucius Annaeus.
Title: L. Annæi Flori Rerum Romanarum libri IV.
[Netherlands? : s.n., 16--?]
Rare Books Collection PA6386.A21600 ZA
Notes: Includes index. Caption title.
Ptolemy, 2nd cent.
La geografia di Clavdio Tolomeo Alessandrino gia` tradotta di Greco in Italiano, da Giero Rvscelli ; & hora in questa nuoua editione da Gio. Malombra ricorretta, & purgata d'infiniti errori ; come facilmente nella prefatione a' lettori puo` ciascuno vedere ; con l'espositioni del Rvscelli ... Et con un discorso di Gioseppe Moleto, doue si dichiarano tutti i termini appartenenti alla geografia ... In Venetia : Appresso Giordano Ziletti, 1574.
Espositioni et introduttioni universali di Girolamo Ruscelli sopra tutta la geografia di Tolomeo. Moleti, Giuseppe, 1531-1580. Discorso di M. Gioseppe Moleto medico, filosofo, et matematico eccellentissimo.
Rare Books Collection G87 .P845 1574a
Notes: Signatures: X8, A-G4, H², X¹ ; A-Z4 ; Aa¹, Bb³, Bb-Xx4 ; A-F4, G³, X¹ ; A-H4, I¹. Each title has separate t.p.