Manuscripts & Incunabula

Explore our collection of rare manuscripts and incunabula, spanning centuries of handwritten texts and the earliest period of European printing.

What are incunabula?

Incunabula are books printed in Europe before 1501, during the earliest decades of printing with movable type.

From illuminated manuscripts and handwritten devotional works to books printed before 1501, these remarkable survivals offer a glimpse into the development of the written and printed word.

Each item is individually researched and catalogued, reflecting the craftsmanship, history, and cultural significance of these early works.

Interested in works of early printing? Check out our Bishop, Great and Tyndale collection.