is one of the Library’s Special Collections
Drew University’s collection of bound manuscripts and antiquarian materials date from the 11th through 20th centuries, and includes Medieval and Renaissance codices and fragments written in Greek or Latin. Other languages such as Arabic, Hebrew, Ge’ez, Sanskrit and Batak are also represented.
Eight Medieval Greek manuscripts are from the 11th though 14th centuries, and were presented to Drew Theological Seminary by William White of Summit, New Jersey, a Drew University trustee (1876-1897) and regular benefactor. White acquired the volumes from Rev. Dr. Albert L. Long of Robert College in Constantinople. Of these manuscripts, six are New Testament and two contain works by John Klimax, John Chrysostom, and John of Damascus. They have been fully described and published in 2013 by Dr. Nadezhda Kavrus-Hoffmann in her article “Catalogue of Greek Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in the Collections of the United States of America. Part VII: Madison, NJ, Drew University, Rose Memorial Library.” Manuscripta 57.1 (2013): 57-111.
The six New Testament manuscripts were photographed in 2012 by the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts, and are partially available for viewing on their website.
Digitized Manuscripts
available to view or download on Internet Archive
Item 3: MS2 Lectionary of Gospels
Item 22: Lydia Gay Ingallas Diary
Item 27: Salem Witchcraft Trials
Item 61: French Book of Hours leaf
Item 62: Coptic Manuscript leaf
Item 64: Japanese Woodblock Physiognomy
Item 68: The Flagellation of the Devil
Item 88: Diary of a young boy named Edwin
Finding Aid
Bound Manuscript and Antiquarian Materials Collection Finding Aid. For more information, please contact [email protected]
Projects
Drew University’s Antiphonary (MS 72): Music From the Pages
Our objective is to present a comprehensive and accessible analysis of Drew University’s Antiphonary. Our project will provide a complete list of all the antiphons and responses in this manuscript. In addition to the manuscript’s digitization, we offer comparisons to sung antiphons from various vocal ensembles worldwide. Our student researcher involved in the project has transcribed the music from the manuscript to provide a modern faithful representation of the music as it was performed over three centuries ago.