Barberini Exultet Roll, or Easter Proclamation
The Barberini Exultet Roll is a hymnal used for Christian religious practice and performed at Easter Mass. It is a song about how “the heavenly crowd of angels shout for joy,” as Jesus rose from the grave and ascended into heaven. It was created for the Catholic Church at the monastery of Monte Cassino in Italy on the commission of Abbot Desiderius. The roll form makes it easy to carry around and was meant to be unrolled as it was read from a pulpit, allowing the scenes to be viewed by the congregation.
The facsimile is installed in a mechanized display case, which consists of a wood base and plastic casing. The commentary is housed within the wooden base along with an Easter candle that is placed within a drawer on the side of the base. The display case allows the contemporary viewer to take the place of both the viewer as the scroll is unrolled and the clergyman who read/sung the hymnal from the pulpit.
Benedictine abbey, Monte Cassino
Facsimile: UNT Willis Library Sandborn Reading Room, Call Number: ND3380.4.B37 E36 2008
Original MS: Vatican City State, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, MS Barb. lat. 592
Zürich: Belser
Facsimile: 2008
Original MS: c. 1087
Commentary: Guglielmo Cavallo, Heide Stamm
Zürich: Belser
Joshua Roll
5 sheets, 64-83 x 28 cm
Latin
Liturgical Manuscripts
Scroll used for Easter Vigil
Italian, Romanesque, c. 1087
Prepared by Alex Anderson
Joshua Roll
The Imperial Court School of Byzantium produced the 10th century Joshua Roll during the Macedonian Renaissance, which took place after the end of iconoclasm. The roll depicts the Old Testament Book of Joshua as a continuous frieze. It is likely inspired by Greco-Roman art, particularly by classical triumphal columns. The production of the manuscript aligns with the Byzantine army taking back control of the Holy Land from the Arabs, which suggests that the Joshua Roll may have been created to celebrate the military victory.
The facsimile of the Joshua Roll is housed within a protective box that extends out to serve as a display case. It is spaced out precisely for each of the 15 segments of the scroll to be viewed individually. The facsimile is true not only in size and color, but also reproduces the original form of the scroll with either end attached to two woodcores.
Imperial Court School of Byzantium
Facsimile: UNT Special Collections Library, Call Number: Z114 .V3 vol. 43 1983
Original MS: Vatican City State, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, MS Pal. graec. 431
Graz: Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt
Facsimile: 1983
Original MS: c. 10th century
Commentary: Otto Mazal
Graz: Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt
Leo Bible
1 scroll: 42 x 30 x 17 cm
Facsimile: Greek
Commentary: German
Sacred Texts
Scroll celebrating success of Byzantine armies in the Holy Land
Byzantine, c. 10th century
Prepared by Tania Kolarik
Codex Seraphinianus
The Codex Seraphinianus is a one-of-a-kind surreal art book. The encyclopedia includes bizarre illustrations and an unknown language that is impossible to interpret to the average reader. Codex Seraphinianus carries a reputation as being the world’s weirdest book because the content is truly a masterpiece of both grotesque yet beautifully hand-drawn illustrations. Each page and each illustration draws in the viewer and really encourages him or her to study the meaning behind the imagery—if there is one. Another interesting point about this book is that there have been several articles and blogs contemplating the meaning of Codex Seraphinianus, but there has not been a set answer for the reason or creation of this book, so it is left up to the reader to decode the book’s message individually.
The original or first edition of the Codex Seraphinianus was first released as a two-volume set, intended for mass production by the author Luigi Serafini and publisher Franco Maria Ricci. The 1993 facsimile reproduces the entirety of the original's heavily illustrated content, but within a single volume. It is bound in black cloth with gold lettering, and displays a different front cover image from either of the original volumes.
Luigi Serafini, Franco Mario Ricci
Facsimile: UNT Special Collections Library, Call Number: PN6381 .S4 1993
Milano: Franco Mario Ricci
Facsimile: 1993
First Edition: 1981
NA
Milano: Franco Mario Ricci
Voynich Manuscript
250 p: ill. (some col.); 37 cm
Imaginary Language
Encyclopedia in manuscript
Contemporary Artist Book
Italy, Contemporary, 1981
Prepared by Carly Burdette and Julia Kang
Squarcialupi Codex
This manuscript is one of the most refined of the Italian music manuscripts copied during the first 20 years of the 15th century by the scriptorium of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Florence. The Squarcialupi Codex is richly illuminated with gold leaf applied throughout. This manuscript is the largest source of music of the 14th century and contains the work of some of the greatest composers of the time, including Francesco Landini and Giovanni da Cascia.
The facsimile of the Squarcialupi Codex provides the contemporary viewer with not only a window into luxurious music compositions, but also the book-making process, as it is unfinished. The illuminations are brightly colored, mimicking the original, but the use of a reflective gold acts to hammer home to the viewer the abundant use of gold leaf employed in the Squarcialupi Codex. The facsimile and commentary are housed together in a large box measuring 320 x 460 mm, with a leather-covered spine with gold stamping.
Monastery of Santa Maria degli Angeli, Florence
Facsimile: UNT Willis Library Sandborn Reading Room, Call Number: ML96.4 .S8 1992
Original MS: Florence, Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, MS Palatino 87
Florence: Giunti Barbera
Facsimile: 1992
Original MS: 1410-1415
Facsimile Editor: F. Alberto Gallo
Lucca: Libreria musicale italiana
12 hommages a Paul Sacher: pour violoncelle
The Douce Apoclaypse
2 v. (287 p; 216 leaves of music): ill; 43 cm
Facsimile: Italian
Commentary: Italian, English
Music Manuscript Facsimile
Owned by Florentine organist Antonio Squarcialupi
Italian, Renaissance, 15th century
Prepared by Carly Burdette
Facsimiles from the University of North Texas Special Collections Library
Assorted facsimiles
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Relationship of Michoacan, "List of ceremonies and rites and population and government of the Indians of the Province of Michoacan, 1541"
Relacion de Michoacán, Codice de Michoacán
The <em>Relacion de Michoacán</em> was commissioned by the viceroy Antonio de Mendoza of New Spain and completed from 1539-1540. The manuscript was create by an unknown friar, thought to be fray Jeronimo de Alcala, in an effort to document the practices of the Tarascan peoples. It was intended to help the viceroy in governing the region, but it also shows how European conquerors viewed their new Tarascan subjects.
The Relationship of Michoacan facsimile is printed ink on paper and bound in a reddish-orange goatskin binding. The facsimile includes 44 colored illustrations that correspond to the narration. The reproduction serves as an accurate academic tool for further research in art history, anthropology, and history.
Original attributed to: fray Jeronimo de Alcala
Facsimile: UNT Special Collections Library, Call Number: F1219.1.M55 R4 1541a
Original MS: San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Real Biblioteca del Monasterio, MS C.IV.5
Madrid: Testimonio: Patrimonio Nacional
Facsimile: March 20th, 2001
Original MS: 1539-1540
Commentary: Armando Mauricio, Maria del Carmen Hidalgo, Vicenta Cortes, Benedic Warren, Francisco Miranda, Juan Jose Batalla, and Gerardo Sanchez
Madrid, Testimony Publishing Company
El Códice de Xicotepec: estudio e interpretación
Códice Borbónico
Codex Colombino
Ink, paper, and goatskin, 22 cm
Spanish
Ethnography of the Michoacán Indians pertaining to their culture and religion
Spanish views of the Tarascan peoples.
Mexico, Pre-Columbian, c. 1539-1540
Prepared by Iris Gutierrez and edited by Jennifer Boatner
The Maqamat al-Hariri, or The Collection of Stories of al-Hairi
The manuscript contains the epic poems of the poet al-Hariri, which tells of the adventures of Abu Zayd and narrated by a merchant named al-Harith who travels with Zayd. These “sessions” reveal Zayd's impressive mastery of the Arabic language and his use of riddles and puns throughout his travels. Unlike much Islamic art, this secular work contains figural imagery that is delightful and fanciful, matching the tone of adventure of the tales.
This manuscript and its facsimile give insight to one of the most popular Arabic poems of the Late Abbasid Period. Both the original manuscript and facsimile in particular exemplify “luxury” books, created at a large scale and embellished with much imagery. The facsimile, covered in a hand-stamped binding with traditional extended back cover flap, and commentary volume are bound as a matching set and encased together.
Original MS: Abu Muhammed al Qasim ibn Ali al-Ḥarīrī, Yahya ibn Mahmud al-Wasiti
Facsimile: Touch Art, London 2003
Facsimile: UNT Special Collections Library, ND 3399.H26
Original MS: Paris, Bibliotheque national de France, MS arabe 5847
Touch Art, London
Facsimile: 2003
Original MS: c. 1237 CE/ A.H. 634
Introduction: Oleg Grabar
Touchart, London
NA
Original MS & Facsimile: 168 folios with 101 illustrations and measures 27 x 38 cm
Facsimile: Arabic
Commentary: English, German, French, and Arabic
Secular Illustrated Stories
Luxury Secular Arabic Manuscript
Late Abbasid Period, c. 1230-1295.
Prepared by Ashley Enfield and Amelia Hill
Prayer Book of Philip II
The Prayer Book of Philip II was created in the scriptorium of the Royal Monastery of El Escorial for Philip II. The manuscript contains 45 miniatures with decorated borders of architectures, animals, and floral motifs throughout. The luxury of the court of Philip II is conveyed through the use of gold embellishment. The Mannerist painter, Giulio Clovio, inspired the illuminators of the Royal Monastery.
This facsimile provides a glimpse into the decadent Mannerist courtly style of King Philip II of Spain. Although the facsimile does not use actual parchment, the texture of the paper mimics the look and feel of the original parchment. The book is bound in red velvet, with an authentic reproduction of the exterior silver furniture, which acts to replicate the weight of the prayer book with its silver.
Original MS: Andrés de León, Julián de la Fuente el Saz, Martín de Palencia
Facsimile: UNT Special Collections Library, Call Number: BX2080.A35 P55 1570a
Original MS: San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Real Biblioteca del Monasterio, MS Vitrina 2
Madrid: Testimonio Compañia Editorial
Facsimile: 1995
Original MS: c. 16th century
Commentary: Martín González, J.J., Ruiz Asencio, J.M.
Testimonio Compañia Editorial
Book of Hours of Queen Isabella of Spain
33.3 x 23 cm
Facsimile: Latin
Commentary: Spanish
Private Devotion Books
Book of Hours, Illuminated Manuscript
Spain, Renaissance, c. 16th century
Prepared by Meghan Holmes
Canticles of Holy Mary
The Canticles of Holy Mary are made up of over four hundred poems presenting the miracles of the Virgin Mary and praises to her. The poems in medieval Galician are both devotional and liturgical, and set to music. The manuscript was completed during the reign of Alfonzo X “El Sabio,” the King of Castile and León. The manuscript incorporates scenes of Jews and Muslims who are inspired to convert to Christianity after witnessing miracles by the Virgin Mary.
The facsimile is suede leather with digital ink on imitation parchment mimicking the original’s calfskin hide over thick pine board. The facsimile replicates the almost 200 cantigas, or medieval monophonic songs, extant in the original and over 1,200 miniatures.
Original MS: Attributed to Galician poet Airas Nunes and King Alfonso X
Facsimile: UNT Willis Library Sandborn Reading Room, ML96.5.A54 C3 1979, v.1
Original MS: San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Real Biblioteca del Monasterio, MS T.j.I (“E2”)
Madrid: Edilán
Facsimile: 1979
Original MS: c. 13th Century
NA
Madrid: Edilán
Squarcialupi codex
512 pages; 50 x 35 cm
Original & Facsimile: Medieval Galician, Portuguese
Commentary: Spanish
Poems and Hymns, Illustrated Music Manuscript
Holy Mary’s miracles
Spain, Gothic, c. 13th century
Prepared by Jennifer Boatner
Medicina Antiqua or "Ancient Medicine"
This manuscript gives details of ancient Roman medicines and their uses and provides illustrations of the plants referenced in the text, as well as how the medicines are administered. This manuscript can be identified by its unique marginal additions to the primary text. Throughout the manuscript, there are two separate forms of illustration: the main illustrations that make up the manuscript, as well as line drawings that seem to have been made later, which add context to some of the text and markers for the important information.
This facsimile is bound in a light tan leather binding with the medical caduceus symbol embossed on the front. The pages are cut unevenly to replicate the shape and wear found in the original manuscript. This facsimile is an exact replica of the original manuscript.
Original MS: Attributed to the Staufer court
Facsimile: C. H. Talbot, Franz Unterkircher
Facsimile: UNT Special Collections Library, Call Number: RS79 .V5 1999a
Original MS: Vienna, Österreichische National-bibliothek, MS Vindobonensis 93
Akademische Druck und Verlagsanstalt (ADEVA)
Facsimile: 1978
Original MS: c. 13th Century
Commentary: Franz Unterkircher and C.H. Talbot
Translator: Martha Dulong
Akademische Druck und Verlaganstalt, Graz, Austria.
Dioscorides Neapolitanus
Original MS and Facsimile: 27.5 x 18.6 cm
Original MS: Latin
Facsimile: Latin
Facsimile Commentary: English, German, French
This manuscript is a medical compendium, comprising of many different works of medical resources.
Thirteenth-century copy of 4th and 5th c. medical texts
Southern Italy, Romanesque, c. 13th century
Prepared by Amelia Hill