Three Most Beautiful Manuscripts

Lectionarium, 9th century

Two Carolingian Manuscripts

The Carolingian script was introduced throughout Charlemagne’s empire in the eighth century, purportedly through the influence of the famous librarian and schoolmaster, Alcuin of York. In the following two centuries it became the principal book-hand in Western Europe. It was eventually replaced by the angular and shaded Gothic hand.

Commentary on Psalms, French, 12th century.

At the beginning of the Renaissance scholars revived the forgotten Carolingian minuscule, creating the humanistic bookhand of the early fifteenth century. This clear and distinctive style was adapted by the early printers for their typefaces and has continued to the present day with little variation.

A.S.

French Book of Hours

French Book of Hours, ca. 1450-1500

The 126 folios of this volume are written in Gothic bookhand script. There are lateral floral borders on every page and 25 miniatures, each surrounded by a floral border which, unfortunately, has been frequently cut for rebinding. Sections of text begin with illuminated initials.

A.S.