Medieval Manuscripts on Display at WSU

PULLMAN, Wash.–Medieval and Renaissance manuscripts from the private collection of Washington State University music professor Charles Argersinger are on exhibit through Nov. 7 in Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections on the ground floor of Holland and Terrell Libraries.

The 20 parchments include some with music notes and some with text only. They range in size from about 3 x 5 inches to 1 1/2 x 3 feet. Some of the documents feature the intricately detailed large letters that illuminated manuscripts are known for.

Notes and translations are provided by WSU English professor Michael Hanly. Argersinger has been collecting manuscripts for 10-12 years through dealers in the United States and western Europe. He said the oldest manuscript in his collection dates from 1250.

Scans and photos by Jeff Kuure, WSU Libraries, and Robert Hubner, WSU Photo Services