Yale Book History

The Yale Program in the History of the Book brings together scholars across disciplines to explore the materiality of the written word over time and across cultures. For the full schedule and details, visit bookhistory.yale.edu.
  • Hand colored print of Simon of Trent being tortured by Jews. From Hartmann Schedel's Chronicle.

    Simon of Trent in Print

    February 19, 2022

    Famous image of the torture of Simon of Trent by Jews from the Nuremberg Chronicle. Beinecke Library has very strong collection of printed materials relating to the cult of Simon of Trent and the accusation of ritual murder.

  • Detail, Persian MSS 165. Page featuring a small blue, red, and gold 'unvan or headpiece and Persian script in three columns.

    Persian Manuscripts

    October 21, 2021

    Persian carries with it a long history of vivid storytelling, of poetic power, and of beautiful books. Today, Persian is the language of Iran, but it has long been in an impressive geographic range and for diverse texts and traditions. During the Middle Ages, a virtuosic tradition of miniature painting was cultivated in Persian manuscript production which endured well into the modern period. Mesmerizing use of pattern, color, and composition marks an illumination practice with many beautiful witnesses still extant in the twenty-first century.

  • Paleographical Challenge #8

    February 7, 2020

    Today’s puzzle pictured above for the Paleographical Challenge . Suggested solution to yesterday’s challenge : …Conferring with sundry...
  • A wide strip of brown paper with dark outlined drawings. Left to Right: a standing male saint, the Annunciation of Gabriel to Mary, the Anastasis, an archangel, a standing female saint, a standing male saint. All are done in a fairly typical Byzantine artistic style with slightly elongated proportions.

    Byzantine/Arabic Manuscript Pattern Sheet

    February 6, 2020

    Unique Byzantine/Arabic pattern sheet with Christian saints demonstrates technique of pouncing to transfer images quickly and easily from the pattern sheet to a blank surface. Such pattern sheets were used for manuscripts, but also for mosaics and other artistic media.

  • Paleographical Challenge #6

    February 5, 2020

    Today’s puzzle pictured above for the Paleographical Challenge . Suggested solution to yesterday’s challenge : Your lovinge Soveraine Elizabeth R...

  • Paleographical Challenge #4

    February 3, 2020

    Today’s puzzle pictured above for the Paleographical Challenge . Suggested solution to last Friday’s puzzle : The Rev. Charles Churchill, Halifax,...

  • Paleographical Challenge #3

    January 31, 2020

    Today’s puzzle pictured above for the Paleographical Challenge . [Suggested solution to yesterday’s challenge : To make a good Red rulin Inke Take fyne...