Jonathan Sumption

The collectors’ obsession with rare medieval manuscripts

Most illuminated books are now in museums– but they were created to be enjoyed privately, and were fiercely fought over for centuries

Scene of hunting a wild boar, from the Hunting Book of Gaston Phoebus, Count of Foix, French school, 14th century. Credit (all pics): all from Bridgeman Images
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  • The Posthumous Papers of the Manuscript Club

    Christopher de Hamel

    Allen Lane, pp. 624, £35

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