Manuscripts & Illumination

In the Beginning Was the Word

In the Beginning Was the Word: The Power and Glory of Illuminated Bibles edited by Andreas Fingernagel and Christian Gastegeber. From the German publisher Taschen. This huge and gorgeous volume is a treasure of reproductions of Biblical manuscripts (approximately half from the Austrian National Library), a detailed chapter on scriptorium practices, and commentary on the manuscripts. One of the most valuable features is the large size of the beautiful texts; you can easily study the fine lettering, illuminations and layout on these full-page spreads. Several Egyptian, Slavonic, and Hebrew examples from the 14th & 15th centuries along with Greek texts from earlier times have been included as well. 10”x 15”, 415 pp, hb. Full color throughout. Weighs seven pounds! A remarkable find. Last copies; now out of print.

In the Beginning Was the Word (TASCHN)

Bible of Illuminated Letters by Margaret Morgan

Foreword by Rosemary Buczek. Top notch! Tools & techniques section includes preparing & correcting mistakes on vellum, paper, brushes, pencils, gouache, watercolor, egg tempera, inks and all gilding materials (flat, raised & burnished gold, shell gold, metallic gouache & bronze powders). For each of six illumination styles (Celtic, Ottonian, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance-White Vine and Renaissance-Neo-Classical) Morgan offers history, a step-by-step demonstration, decorated capitals & numbers, alphabets of the period, borders and motifs. A ten-page gallery of contemporary illumination with pieces by Peter Halliday, Mary Noble, Lorna Bambury, Janet Mehigan and others complements the numerous historic examples in each chapter. To quote Rosemary Buczek “this book is a gem.” 5.75”x7.75”, 256 pp., color throughout. Glossary & index. Hardcover over sturdy spiral.

Bible of Illuminated Letters by Margaret Morgan (BIBILL)

Mira Calligraphiae Monumenta

Inscribed by Georg Bosckay and illuminated by Joris Huefnagel. 5 1/2" x 7 1/2", 412 pp., 170 color plates, clothbound, slipcased.

This 16th century manuscript was originally executed by Georg Bosckay as a model book of scripts; more than fifteen years after Bosckay’s death illuminations were added to the model book by Joris Huefnagel, Europe’s last great manuscript illuminator. Huefnagel was intent on demonstrating the superior affective power of images over written words. Getting lost in the fruits of this rare competition is a privilege. As one reviewer stated “This is probably as close as I’ll ever get to a magician’s book.” Exquisite, marvelous. With commentary by Lee Hendrix & Thea Vignau-Wilberg. Highly recommended.

Mira Calligraphiae Monumenta (MIRACA)

An Abecedarium: Illuminated Alphabets

Thanks to the Getty Museum, we have these three beautiful “children” of the Mira Calligraphiae Monumenta giving us many of the glories of the complete manuscript at a more accessible price. Each is 64 pages, 5.5" x 7.5" with 40 color illustration, hardcover. From the Court of Emperor Rudolf II.

An Abecedarium: Illuminated Alphabets (ABCDAR)

Nature Illuminated

Nature Illuminated (NATURE)

The Art of the Pen

Calligraphy from the Court of the Emperor Rudolf II. This third "child" of Mira Calligraphiae Monumenta showcases 48 of the most beautiful calligraphic pages from that major work. Stunning examples of classic Italic hands, Rotunda, Gothic as well as invented hands along with their lavish botanical illustrations. 5.25"x 7 5/8", 64 pp., 52-color illus.,

The Art of the Pen (ARTPEN)

An Abecedarium, Nature Illuminated & The Art of the Pen

All three books for $42.95.

An Abecedarium, Nature Illuminated & The Art of the Pen (MIRAST)

The Illuminated Alphabet

An Introduction to Creating Decorative Calligraphy by Patricia Seligman and Timothy Noad. Profuse illustrations and a clearly written text make this an excellent volume for exploring gilding and illuminating. Timothy Noad leads us through 12 projects from five calligraphic “epochs”- Celtic, Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Modern Revival. Elaborate initials and borders from each period are redrawn and painted; detailed instruction for the alphabets of each period are included as well. Noad gives advice on processes throughout and includes how to deal with mistakes. Highly recommended as the best book in this category. 8 3/4" x 8 3/4", 160pp, full color. Glossary, index. Paperback. Sale price of $14.95, originally $17.95.

The Illuminated Alphabet (NOADIL)

Illuminated Manuscripts and Their Makers

Illuminated Manuscripts and Their Makers by Rowan Watson from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Curator Watson easily fulfills his intentions, giving an account of illuminated manuscripts held in the V&A, describing how they were made and how best to study them. He brings a most unusual array of treasures to his reader. Groups of examples of borders, ornamental flourishing, miniature paintings, decorative initials and grotesques let the reader compare and contrast similar elements from different manuscripts. These detailed examples are complemented by chapters on working methods, mass produced medieval books and a gallery devoted to 20 manuscripts from the Victoria and Albert. Extraordinary color and photography. 8.5”x11”, 144pp, full color throughout, hb.

Illuminated Manuscripts and Their Makers (MSSMAK)

British Library Guide to Manuscript Illumination

History & Techniques by Christopher deHamel. DeHamel (head of Sotheby’s Department of Manuscripts, London) discusses manuscripts from the British Library’s collection including some unfinished ones which reveal the processes involved in their making. You’ll find the story of how books were commissioned in the medieval book trade, patron’s expectations, how illuminators worked with scribes, material & techniques used, and the time and expertise involved in creating these masterpieces. A wonderful supplement to A History of Illuminated Manuscripts, again in deHamel’s engaging, readable style. 7.5”x9.75”, 92 pp., 30 color, 30 b&w illus, pb.

British Library Guide to Manuscript Illumination (BLIBMS)

Treasures of a Lost Art

Italian Manuscript Painting of the Middle Ages and Renaissance by Pia Palladino. Vivian Mungall raved about this beautiful volume after finding it at the Cleveland Museum of Art during the Iampeth convention. The photography is extraordinary; numerous close-ups make it easy to see lettering and illumination details. This book is the catalog for the exhibition of the Robert Lehman Collection, one of the finest private collections of Italian manuscripts ever assembled after the First World War. Here are 144 leaves, cuttings, and illuminated mss fragments from important works by the major schools of illumination in southern Italy. Author Pia Palladino, assistant curator of the Lehman Collection at the metropolitan Museum of Art, painstakingly examines each piece and through detailed scholarly detective work, places it in the context of its origins - be it a magnificent set of choir books commissioned by a 15th century Greek cardinal, a register of a notaries’ guild or a devotional object illuminated for a Medici pope. Magnificent. See the exhibition at the Met in NYC from 9/30/03 to 2/1/04. Published by Yale University Press. 204 pp. 69 b/w, 105 color illus., 8.5"x 11”. Hb

Treasures of a Lost Art (TREASU)

A History of Illuminated Manuscripts

By Christoper de Hamel. 2nd edition. Author de Hamel, formerly with the Department of Western Manuscripts at the British Library, has worked at Sotheby’s for many years examining and cataloging manuscripts. In this book he provides an overview of book manufacturing and decoration from late antiquity to the Renaissance. De Hamel takes the reader on a tour of book production, beginning with the Monastic Gospel books through the lavish Books of Hours. He analyzes and
describes the different manuscript types, placing them in their historical and cultural settings. He also treats the history of scripts and iconography, techniques & materials, and the formal organization of the scriptoria. This second edition includes nearly twice as many color illustrations as the ?rst edition. The most comprehensive & authoritative volume on this part of the history of books. 9 7/8" x 11 3/8", 272 pp, 150 full-color, 100 b&w illustrations, pb only.

A History of Illuminated Manuscripts (DEHAML)

Medieval Illuminators and Their Methods of Work

By Jonathan J. G. Alexander. Heavily illustrated, this analysis of surviving manuscripts and medieval treatises explains the materials, methods, tools, choice of illustration and execution of illumination from the early middle ages through the 15th century. Illustrating his discussion with examples chosen from religious and secular manuscripts made all over Europe, Alexander recreates the astonishing variety and creativity of medieval illumination. Will be a standard reference for years to come. 208 pp, 218 black and white illus., 29 color plates, 8.5" x 10.5", pb.

Medieval Illuminators and Their Methods of Work (MEDIPB)

Phaidon Book of Hours

This richly packed gem brings together some of the most exquisite examples of pages from medieval Books of Hours—devotional texts treasured for their aesthetic value and coveted for the insight they give into the daily life of the Middle Ages. A very reasonably priced miniature from the British publisher Phaidon. 4" x 4.75", 160 pp, 100 full-color illus., pb

Phaidon Book of Hours (PHAHRS)

Scribes & Illuminators

By Christopher de Hamel. The most accessable volume we can recommend for information on parchment and ink making as well as the techniques used by scribes, illuminators, binders and booksellers during the middle ages. De Hamel’s vibrant style of writing and the profusion of color and black & white illustrations make this an entertaining and authoritative choice. 72 pp, 5.8" x 8.5", pb.

Scribes & Illuminators (SCRIBE)

Treasury of Illuminated Borders in Full Color

Edited by Carol Grafton. Each of these 48 large pages is a full color illuminated border taken from a 19th century manuscript. Arrangements of leafy vines and tendrils, ?orals, interlacings, spirals, human ?gures, animals and mythical creatures, as well as realistic and abstract patterns make up these borders. 9" x 12", 48 pp, 48 color illus, paperback.

Treasury of Illuminated Borders in Full Color (TRILBO)

The Tres Riches Heures of Jean Duc de Berry

Glorious full color reproduction of the calendar pages (significance of each day and its prayers) from and commentary on the famous 15th century masterpiece manuscript depicting princely and peasant life in medieval France. 9.5"x12.25", 79 pp., pb.

The Tres Riches Heures of Jean Duc de Berry (DUCBER)

Discover Calligraphy & Illumination

Discover Calligraphy & Illumination: by Cari Ferraro. An excellent way to introduce yourself to illumination for the first time. Cari’s 40 page project book leads you through a variety of alphabets, drawing & painting borders and decorating capitals using gold & basic colors. This boxed kit also includes: 5 nibs and a holder, black ink, a ceramic mixing palette, 2 brushes, 6 small tubes of gouache (gold, white, red, blue yellow & green) and hot press watercolor paper. Have an expert teacher lead you through this process. 12.75”x9.75”x2”.

Discover Calligraphy & Illumination (CARIFE)

Masterpieces of Illuminated Letters & Borders

Masterpieces of Illuminated Letters & Borders by W.R. Tymms & M.D. Wyatt. Glorious collection of classic decorated capitals, acanthus leaf borders, fine vine borders and more from the 6th to 16th century. 350+ decorative designs including 256 letters from medieval Bibles and other manuscripts. Large reproductions; easy to copy or draw patterns from. 8.25”x11”, 57 full color plates, pb.

Masterpieces of Illuminated Letters & Borders (TYMMSW)

Illuminated Manuscripts: Treasures of the Pierpoint Morgan Library

Text by William Voelkle & Susan L’Engle. This fat little volume is chock full of illuminated riches from the Morgan Library in NYC. A best buy! 4” x 4 3/8”, 288 pp., 240 color illustrations, hb. **Available Feburary 2008**

Illuminated Manuscripts: Treasures of the Pierpoint Morgan Library (ILMANU)