by Petra Hofmann (College Librarian) The so-called Nuremberg Chronicle was printed as Registrum huius operis libri cronicarum by Anton Koberger in Nuremberg in 1493. Despite its early date, it is certainly not a rare book. The Incunabula Short-Title Catalogue lists 858 holding institutions, some of which hold multiple copies. It is, however, one of those books you can keepContinue reading “The Nuremberg Chronicle : A Masterpiece of the Incunable Period”
Tag Archives: Illustrations
An Early Fireworks Manual
by Petra Hofmann (College Librarian) As a form of entertainment firework displays became popular in the Tudors era and reached an early peak during the Elizabethan Age (Kinchin-Smith). There were risks involved, however. In 1572, Robert Dudley presented a fireworks display for Elizabeth I at Kenilworth Castle when an error sent fireballs into the nearbyContinue reading “An Early Fireworks Manual”
A Medieval Self-Portrait
by Petra Hofmann (College Librarian) Devotional books, Books of Hours in particular, were the “bestsellers” of the late Middle Ages. Indeed, “from the fourteenth to the mid-sixteenth century, more books of hours were made than any other type of book.” (Stein). Books of Hours contain prayers linked to the canonical hours (the hours at whichContinue reading “A Medieval Self-Portrait”
The York Bestiary
by Petra Hofmann (College Librarian) The so-called “York Bestiary” (MS 61, produced in early 13th-century York) is a firm favourite with library staff and visitors. Who can resist these charming, often funny and sometimes puzzling illustrations of animals together with a dazzling display of gold? Bestiaries are a combination of natural philosophy passed down theContinue reading “The York Bestiary”
Medieval Medicine
by Petra Hofmann (College Librarian) St John’s College has a significant collection of medical manuscripts and early printed books. Among the medieval medical manuscripts is this fascinating volume of John Arderne’s work (MS 86), full of marginal decorations and even one English case history among the otherwise Latin text. The manuscript dates from 14th/15th-century England.Continue reading “Medieval Medicine”
Ink and Illumination : Colour in Medieval Manuscripts and Beyond
Library Exhibition 20 January – 15 March 2025 Curated by Victoria Kinne (History of Art Undergraduate at St Catherine’s College, Oxford) Contents Part 1: The Effect of Colour Colour as Political Symbolism Colour as a Teaching Tool Colour as Character Colour in the Medieval Imagination The Effect of Colour Colour as Accident Colour as LuxuryContinue reading “Ink and Illumination : Colour in Medieval Manuscripts and Beyond”
Thomas Willis (1621-1675) : Neurologist, Chemist, Physician
Willis, Opera omnia (Amsterdam: Heinricus Wetstein, 1682), frontispiece. Portrait of Thomas (engraving by David Loggan, 1667) Thomas Willis was born on 27 January 1621 to Thomas Willis (d. 1643) and Rachel Howell (d. 1631). He matriculated at Oxford’s Christ Church in 1638, possibly aiming for a clerical career at first. His interest for medicine wasContinue reading “Thomas Willis (1621-1675) : Neurologist, Chemist, Physician”
St John’s Printed Manuscript
by Petra Hofmann (College Librarian) Enchiridion preclare ecclesie Sarum St John’s College holds a remarkable 16th-century book of hours (Use of Salisbury) printed by Germain Hardouyn in Paris in 1530 with the title Enchiridion preclare ecclesie Sarum. The volume is full of decorative features (borders with floral motifs on gold, initials in various colours) andContinue reading “St John’s Printed Manuscript”
Life Stories from St John’s: the famous & the forgotten
Library exhibition 9 September – 9 December 2022 Introduction For over 450 years the lifeblood of St John’s College has been the people who live and work inside its walls. Some have dedicated a good part of their lives to this College, while others have just passed through. Many have become famous and even moreContinue reading “Life Stories from St John’s: the famous & the forgotten”
The President, the “Prince”, and the Hedgehogs
An Exhibition in honour of Ruth Ogden, Deputy Librarian 1987-2022, on the occasion of her retirement Hilary Term 2022 Online Exhibition