Mr. and Mrs. James E. and Elizabeth J. Ferrell have donated six remarkable medieval manuscripts from their private collection to Hesburgh Libraries Rare Books and Special Collections at the University of Notre Dame.

This donation marks the most valuable individual gift made to Rare Books and Special Collections in the department’s history. The exceptional quality of the Ferrell Manuscripts positions them as a cornerstone of the University’s distinguished collection of medieval and renaissance manuscripts.

“We are truly grateful to Jim and Zibbie for this generous gift,” said Diane Parr Walker, Edward H. Arnold University Librarian. “The Ferrell Manuscripts significantly augment our collection, offering students and scholars from Notre Dame and around the world hands-on experience with these invaluable objects. We are honored to preserve these artifacts and make them accessible — this exemplifies our library mission of connecting people to knowledge across geographic locations and throughout time."

 

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Hesburgh Libraries’ best examples of Northern medieval illumination now come from the Ferrell gift: a fully historiated, complete Parisian Bible from the Vie de St. Denis Atelier (Ferrell MS 1), a masterfully painted book of hours in Grisailles from the "Betremieu Group" (Ferrell MS 2), and a miniature of the Trinity (Ferrell MS 3) from the "Master of the First Prayer Book of Maximilian" — the collection’s sole example of trompe l'oeil borders, which were perfected in Dutch manuscript painting as exemplified in this leaf.

Likewise, the gift also constitutes the collection's most illustrative examples of Late Medieval Italian illumination: a cutting of John the Baptist painted by "The Second Master of the Antiphonary M of San Giorgio Maggiore" (Ferrell MS 4), and a leaf from an Office Book illuminated by the Franciscan friar, Fra Antonio da Monza (Ferrell MS 6). In addition to these examples of Italian painting, a tarot card depicting the biscione (serpent) of the Visconti-Sforza family of Milan (Ferrell MS 5) provides a rare example of Trionfi cards popular among the Italian elite.

“Rare Books and Special Collections’ mission is to preserve and provide access to the unique collections in its holdings,” said Tracy C. Bergstrom, director of Specialized Collections and Services. “The Ferrell Manuscripts significantly enhance our exceptional holdings in medieval, Italian, and theological studies. We are so pleased at how this gift strengthens our collections and advances the University’s mission.”

Rare Books and Special Collections offers over 300 classes throughout the academic year, along with ongoing exhibits onsite and online. In addition, the collections are open to the community and visiting scholars from around the world.

David T. Gura, PhD, curator of ancient and medieval manuscripts, has worked to expand access to the medieval manuscript collection in a variety of ways. He offers credit classes in Latin Paleography, Western Codicology, and Greek Paleography, supports student and faculty research in several disciplines, and creates physical exhibitions and digital content. In addition, Gura recently published a descriptive catalog of the medieval manuscript collection, titled A Descriptive Catalogue of the Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts of the University of Notre Dame and Saint Mary's College.

“We are grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Ferrell for this significant gift and will enable broad access to these rare and illustrative manuscripts in accordance with their vision,” said Gura. “Student encounters with primary objects can be transformative. Today’s student is immersed in a digital world — I have witnessed how holding and exploring something over 800 years old has inspired and reshaped one’s outlook and individual path. The impact of the Ferrell Manuscripts on teaching, learning, and research at Notre Dame is profound.”

The University is equally committed to offering digital access and images of unique and rare materials whenever possible. While nothing can replace the first-hand experience of handling historical artifacts, there is much to be learned from research using digital surrogates such as the ability to examine minuscule detail and virtual comparison with related objects held by other institutions. Providing opportunities to engage with original materials as well as digital companions is optimal for well-rounded, deep inquiry with items such as the Ferrell manuscripts.

The Ferrell Manuscripts are available to students, faculty, and the community at large through immersive, one-of-a-kind teaching and learning experiences both in person and online. For more details, visit the Ferrell Manuscript page at collections.library.nd.edu/ferrell-manuscripts.