The Scriptorium Collection The Special Collections and Archives Gallery Exhibit
Brigham Young University-Idaho


The Scriptorium Collection
A History of the Written Word

Scriptorium Exhibit Homepage

Early Printed Books from Germany

woodcut of Jadocus Badius Ascensius press, c. 1507
With the invention of moveable type and availablity of paper in Europe, books became more available. Now others beside the very rich could afford books.
Gutenberg Bible (facsimile)
Gutenberg Bible (facsimile)
illumination capital letter
Illuminated Capital Letter from Gutenberg Bible facsimile
illumination design
Beautifully tooled leather case of The Table Talk of Martin Luther
The Table Talk of Martin Luther
The Table Talk of Martin Luther (1568 AD)
illumination design
Detail from Table Talk
Sermonnes Pomerii de Sanctis
Sermonnes Pomerii de Sanctis (1505 AD)
This early book has been heavily damaged by bookworms.

bookworm damage to Sermonnes Pomerii de Sanctis
Bookworm damage
book detail
Sermonnes Pomerii de Sanctis detail
Early books often mimicked hand-lettered books. Areas were left blank on the printed page for illumination work to be added later by an artist. The illustrations were never done in this book.
Case of Sermonnes Pomerii de Sanctis
Case of Sermonnes Pomerii de Sanctis (1505 AD)
This case or cover was made with tooled leather over wood boards and has metal clasps.
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