Rare Book School
Preliminary Reading List

Introduction to Western Codicology

Albert Derolez

Preliminary Advices

Please read the following before coming to class:

1. Bischoff, Bernhard. Latin palaeography: antiquity and the Middle Ages, translated by Dáibhi ó Cróinin and David Ganz (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990), pp. 7-45.

2. De Hamel, Christopher. A history of illuminated manuscripts (Oxford: Phaidon, 1986; Boston: David R. Godine, 1986; 2nd edn London: Phaidon, 1994; also available in pb). Read ad libitum.

3. Derolez, Albert, The Palaeography of Gothic Manuscript Books, from the Twelfth to the Early Sixteenth Century, (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2003; Cambridge Studies in Palaeography and Codicology, 9), pp.28-46.

4. Shailor, Barbara A. The medieval book: catalogue of an exhibition at the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Yale University (New Haven: Yale University Library, 1988; also available in pb).