''Illuminated Manuscripts. The Book before Gutenberg''

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"ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS. THE BOOK BEFORE GUTENBERG"

Giulia Bologna, author.     

 First  American Edition: Published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson, New York, 1988. 1 volume, cloth with dust jacket, large quarto, 12.5 x 10.5'', 199 pages, numerous illustrations in color. Condition: Fine used condition, some wear to dust jacket, internally clean.

This magnificent production illustrates in full color a tremendous variety of illuminated manuscripts from over 50 collections worldwide.  Each entry is described and notes on origin, style, significance, etc. are provided.  The introduction contains an outline of the development of the book covering papyrus, scrolls, parchment, the evolution of writing styles, etc. Listed at the back are the illuminators (with short biography), great libraries and their manuscripts, and a select bibliography.

From the dust jacket:  ''Gutenberg's invention of printing with movable type in the middle of the 15th century changed forever the form of the book.  Though it was one of the great advances in human history, the process effectively brought to an end the production of the illuminated manuscript book.  Now jealously guarded in great libraries around the world, these manuscripts represent over a thousand years of the history of the book...''

Giulia Bologna was the director of Milan's Biblioteca Trivulziana - one of Europe's most important libraries of manuscript books, and also the director of Milan's Civic Historical Archives and of the civic workshop for the restoration of ancient and medieval documents, books and bindings.

Shipped by media mail.

  • Inventory# RB-987
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