Manuscripts
The Library contains about 400 manuscripts, ranging in date from the 10th to the 20th century, including some of great historical and artistic importance.
There is a printed handlist of 1852, and a typescript list of manuscripts acquired since. Three descriptive catalogues have been published. A catalogue of the medieval western manuscripts was published in 2002, of the oriental manuscripts in 2005 and of the Greek manuscripts in 2007. See Library Bibliography
The medieval manuscripts and some of the early modern manuscripts have been microfilmed. In accordance with our preservation policy, readers will be encouraged to use such microfilms rather than original MSS where possible. A set of positive microfilms is also available in the Bodleian in Duke Humfrey’s Library. The College Library can supply paper print-outs of microfilms.
Researchers are encouraged to take digital photographs for their own use, by arrangement with Library staff. Requests for copies of microfilms and images of publication quality are carried out by the Bodleian Imaging Studio which handles orders and payment itself. Other image requests are normally handled by the Ashmolean Photographic Studio. External readers are advised to contact the Librarian in the first instance.
Some medieval manuscripts may be viewed online on the pages of Oxford Digital Library and Early Manuscripts at Oxford University: MS 17, MS 17-critical apparatus, and MS 28 & 154.
