February 15, 2014

Glasgow Incunabula Project update (7/2/14)

By bibliodeviant

University of Glasgow Library Blog

Like manuscript books, many incunabula are decorated to varying degrees, whether by the fairly standard addition of rubricated initials, to those volumes with sumptuous opening pages featuring elaborate illuminated borders and historiated initials. Examples of miniatures, however, have been found far less frequently in the books in our collection. It is therefore pleasing to note the inclusion of a miniature depicting Boniface VIII in our copy of the 1476 edition of the Liber sextus Decretalium, printed by Peter Schoeffer. This, of course, is an author portrait (although since Boniface died in the early 14th century, we can’t really comment on its accuracy!).

Boniface VIII seated on a throne, wearing the triple crown and holding a book and papal staff in his hands (Sp Coll BD9-a.11) Miniature of Boniface in Mainz 1476 edition of Liber sextus Decretalium

Illuminated miniature in Bonifacius VIII, Pont. Max.: Liber sextus Decretalium (Sp Coll BD9-a.11) Decorated opening page of Mainz 1476 edition of Liber sextus Decretalium

This important work on canon law was first printed in 1465 by the partnership of Fust and Schoeffer. As a printer specializing in legal texts…

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About bibliodeviant

This is the journal of Jonathan Kearns Rare Books & Curiosities, and all who sail in her. Information, updates, rantings, musings and pretty pictures related (loosely I would imagine) to the world of rare and antiquarian books will be brought to you by a number of different personalities, some of whom cohabit in the same person's head. We welcome queries, comments and contributions of virtually any description, and in return we will attempt to rein in our multitudinous personality disorders and deliver wonders and joys beyond compare. At least that's the plan. View all posts by bibliodeviant
This entry was posted on Saturday, February 15th, 2014 at 10:23 am and posted in General Madness. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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