A History of Illuminated Manuscripts. Christopher De Hamel. Boston: Godine, 1986. Cloth, dj, 256 pages, 11 1/2 x 8 1/2. With 250 illustrations, 80 in color. Includes an Introduction by De Hamel, an extensive Bibliography, an Index of the Manuscripts, and a General Index. A lightly dinged edge to the dj. Otherwise in fine condition.

"The author takes the reader on a tour of book production starting with the earliest Monastic Gospel books and continuing through the most sophisticated and lavish Books of Hours ... as he analyzes and describes the different manuscript types ... the illustrations are carefully chosen to show the development of style and script, illumination, and book design ... especially valuable are the author's detailed captions which provide clues to the identification of type, date, and style of these glorious and historically important manuscripts ... ".