MS084
The Printer's Art

This Collection contains six record series representing the printed book. The six series are: 1) Choice Examples of Early Printing and Engraving [Facsimiles from Rare and Curious Books]; 2) Choice Examples of Oriental Printing and Engraving; 3) Choice Examples of Paleography [Facsimiles from Rare and Curious Manuscripts of Oriental Countries]; 40 Choice Examples of Book Illumination [Facsimiles from illuminated manuscripts and illuminated books of early date]; 5) Ancient Bible Pages [Facsimiles of Title Pages and Original Leaves]; and 6) Parchment pages.

Books or manuscripts having letters, initial words, or borders painted in gold or silver as well as colors are said to be illuminated. These features result in a compound of illustration and ornament. Until the 14th century illumination was done by monks in religious houses, however after that period, groups of artists traveling from country to country or working in major cities in workshops were commissioned by wealthy nobles and other lay persons to do illuminations. The patron specified the number of initials and scenes he required for a particular piece and it was not unusual for several artists to work on one manuscript.

Paleography is the skilled study of ancient writing in which the date of a manuscript can be determined by examining the manner in which the characters on it were made.

Several patrons donated items to the William Madison Randall Library. Dr. William Madison Randall donated the Arabic parchment, the parchment paper is from the estate of Mrs. Dorothy Wheatley and the bible pages are from Stanley S. Slotkin.

This Collection has been designated Accession Number 84 of the Manuscripts Collection, Special Collections Department, William Madison Randall Library, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 601 South College Road, Wilmington, North Carolina 28403-3297. 

There are no access restrictions on this collection.

Processed by Lana Donaldson Taylor
Special Collections Librarian
Manuscripts Collection
William Madison Randall Library
The University of North Carolina Wilmington
May 28, 1993

Inventory
Manuscript/Box/File

084/1/1
Choice examples of early printing and engraving, Facsimiles from rare and Curious Books

084/1/2
Choice examples of early Oriental printing and engraving

084/1/3
Choice examples of paleography, Facsimiles from rare and curious manuscripts from oriental countries

084/1/4
Choice examples of book illumination, Facsimiles from illuminated manuscripts and illuminated books from early date

COPYRIGHT:  Retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.