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Special Collections and Rare Books

This guide provides an overview of the special collection and rare book holdings within the DePauw University Archives and Special Collections.

Illuminated Manuscripts

ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPTS -- a handwritten book that has been decorated with gold or silver, brilliant colors, elaborate designs or miniature pictures. 

Source: Britannica.

  • Cathedral of Jaén, Communion Prayer and Song Illuminated Missal Leaf. circa 1401-1500. 
    Archives and Special Collections Oversize Collection
    Map-Case Drawer 16, Item 1
    • Latin. Folio 49, recto, is the end of the communion prayer known as the "secret" for the third Sunday after Easter. Folio 50, verso, as the Introit (the first chant in mass) for the fifth Sunday after Easter. Inked on vellum. Features a sizeable illuminated initial made with gold leaf and red/orange (red lead), blue (lapis lazuli), and white (lead white) pigments.
       
  • Dominicus, and Catholic Church Liber 6. 1477. Lectura Super Secundam Partem Libri Sexti Decretalium. Venetiis: [publisher not identified].
    Archives and Special Collections General Collection
    BX1930 .D66 1477
    • Dominicus de Sancto Geminiano (1375-1424) was a 15th century canonist who wrote commentary on the Decretals of Pope Gregory IX (1227-1241). The Decretals was a new set of canonical writings (papal law) created in the 1230s cornering the Catholic Church.

      The author was born in Florence and studied at Bologna where he was a student and disciple of Antonius de Butrio, and possibly also of Petrus de Ancarano. He then served as the vicar of the bishop of Modena and attended the council of Pisa in 1409. He also taught law at Bologna. In his later years, Dominicus became an auditor of the Apostolic Camera (Papal Treasury). He also attended the council of Basel. Dominicus died in Tivoli.

      This is the oldest book in the library, dated 1477. It is written in Latin and considered an incunable, a book created during the earliest stages of printing in Europe, before 1500. It was printed in Venice, a major printing hub during this time. Flourishing (hand-drawn letters) is featured throughout. Pigments were created from lapis lazuli (blue), red lead (red), and charcoal/soot (black). 
       
  • Boethius, and Thomas. 1489. De Consolatione Philosophiae : De Disciplina Scholarium [with the Commentary of Thomas Aquinas]. [Venice]: [Locatellus for Octavianus Scotus].
    Archives and Special Collections General Collection
    PA6231 .C8 1489
    • Authored by Anicius Manlius Torquatus Severinus Boethius (480-524) and regarded as an influential work. Boethius was charged with treason, imprisoned and executed. During this time he wrote De consolatione philosophiae. It comprises five books and is a form of dialogue between the author and his visitor, Philosophy.  Commentary is attributed to Aquinas but is thought to be by Thomas Waleys (1318-1349). This book was printed in Venice and is bound in vellum. It features illuminated capitals throughout.