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History of Text Technologies

A guide for learning about the history of different types of text technologies and to aid in locating primary source examples within the FSU Libraries collections.

How Animal Hides are Made into Parchment

Examples from the Collection of FSU Special Collections & Archives

Specimens of parchment by Ronald Reed
Call Number: Rare Reference ; TS1165 .R44 1976

Publication Date: 1976

This book contains several specimens of parchment demonstrating the look and texture of different animal skins. The book also differentiates between medieval and modern parchment as well as imitation vellum.
Leaf from a Book of Hours
Call Number: Vault ; BX2080 .A2 1465

Publication Date: 1465

This leaf is an example of a manuscript page on parchment. It comes from a book of hours and contains illuminated decoration as well.
Sententiarum of Peter Lombard by Peter Lombard
Call Number: Vault ; BX1749.P4 P47 [13--]

Publication Date: between 1300-1399

This leaf is an example of a 14th-century manuscript written on parchment.

External Sources for Parchment Substrates

Parchment (the good, the bad, and the ugly)
An overview of the different types of parchment as well as how parchment was prepared and repaired.

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