Illuminated manuscripts and incunabula in Cambridge

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This two-volume catalogue focuses on incunabula (books printed up to 1500) with hand-added illumination found in the Fitzwilliam Museum and the College Libraries of Cambridge. Incunabula research has gained momentum in the twenty-first century, with the publication of printed catalogues and online projects enhancing access and knowledge. However, the approximately 2,000 incunabula in Cambridge, outside the University Library, remain largely unexamined. As part of the Cambridge Illuminations Research Project, this catalogue highlights books printed in Italy up to 1500 that feature hand-applied illumination and decoration. The College materials make up around 75% of the over 400 individual incunabula documented across both volumes. The focus is on books with ornamental decoration rather than simple rubrication, showcasing elements such as miniatures, woodcuts with contemporary color, historiated initials, ornamental initials, pen-flourished initials, and various sketches. By applying meticulous attention to the unique attributes of these early printed books, the editors aim to bridge the gap between manuscript illumination and printed works, providing compelling evidence of the intertwined nature of manuscript and print cultures in the late fifteenth century.