Manuscript page, Paris Bible ~1250 AD - Uterine vellum

A few years ago I bought this incredible well-crafted page of a Paris Bible from around 1250 AD. What is so special about this page is the size. It measures only 8x13 cm (3.1x5.1 inches).

This small manuscript is written on so called uterine vellum and it is thinner than modern paper (I wish you could feel how thin this is!). Uterine vellum is made from skin of newborn/unborn calfs. It is almost unbelievable how small the letters are from an age without glasses or microscopes..

I haven't found out yet what part of the Bible it is... It is quite hard to read.

These books were produced by the thousands in the 13th century, so pages like this are not particular rare or valuable.







Information about uterine vellum from the 13th century:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4679014/
https://www.theguardian.com/science...kin-13th-century-mystery-vellum-vulgate-bible

 

Special nonetheless, for having survived all these centuries. And the tiny writing! Beautiful, and the painting looks pristine.