How to Collect Medieval Manuscripts and Books
For people interested in history, collecting historical items can be a fun and exciting hobby. Unfortunately, items of historical significance can often exceed the average collector’s budget. Books, on the other hand, have been produced in great quantities and are often quite affordable. If you are interested in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, collecting medieval period books and manuscripts is a wonderful way to connect with life during the period.
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Instructions
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Educate yourself. Before you begin collecting, you need to know a great deal about the subject. This knowledge will be extremely helpful when you are speaking with dealers, searching for items and evaluating authenticity. Although a college degree is not necessary, spend some time researching the period. It’s also very important to understand the types of items that you will encounter. For example, learn the difference between a missal, an antiphonal and a hymnal. Be familiar with the traits of a psalter, a breviary and a book of hours. These terms, along with many others, will help you during your search.
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Identify sources of books and manuscripts for sale. The easiest place to begin your search is on the Internet. To get started, check out some of the larger auction houses, such as Sotheby’s, Christie’s and Skinner. In addition to their current auctions, they keep catalogs and price records of previous auctions. This information will help you learn about various items on sale, as well as the average price paid. There are also many smaller auction houses around the world, so look for one close to you. If you have the ability, attend an auction for the experience.In addition to auctions, there are also numerous private dealers who sell books and manuscripts via the Internet and retail stores. Exercise some caution when dealing with private sellers since, here are unscrupulous people in the business. Work with reputable and well-known dealers until you are better versed in the subject and business.
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Jump in and make your first purchase. Start small with a single page or less-expensive book. The simple process of starting your collection will help you better understand the process and will provide some excitement to keep you searching for your next acquisition.
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Tips & Warnings
Always be sure of your source before making a purchase. Museums and libraries are a great source of information about medieval manuscripts and books.
If a dealer makes certain claims about an item, ask for some provenance. If you have any doubts about an item’s authenticity, have it checked by a professional.
Never pay for an item before you have had an opportunity to examine it.
Some countries don’t allow the removal of historical items. Inquire about this possibility before you make a purchase.
