A handwritten Latin manuscript page

A handwritten Latin manuscript page

Title page of a 17th-century Latin manuscript titled Promptuarium Orationum in Omni Materia Subsequentur Epistolae Varie.

“The enemy is at the walls; we are barely holding out. If you do not come, we are all lost.”

From a textbook used by students of the Vilnius Diocesan Seminary.

#NationalLibraryofLithuania #earlymodern #manuscript

Illustration of a stone bridge with two arches. A small figure walks across the bridge, carrying a stick. Below, people fish on the riverside. On the right side stands a tower and trees; on the left, hills and another tree. The scene is framed within an oval border.

All sorts of activities happeningnin this teeny tiny vignette.

#oldbooks #rarebooks #fishing #swimming #bridges #NationalLibraryOfLithuania

A printed Latin text with a large decorated initial “Q.” The letter has been doodled into a cartoonish face, with eyes, eyebrows, nose, and a frowning mouth. Above the “Q,” extra pen strokes make it look like the figure is wearing a hat.

A printed Latin text with a large initial “V.” Inside the letter, someone has drawn a small face with eyes, nose, and mouth.

A printed Latin text with a large initial “Q.” The circular part of the letter has been filled with a face: two dark eyes, a large shaded nose, and a serious mouth with a moustache-like line, making the letter resemble a stern human head.

Annotation? No thanks, I’ll draw my feelings instead.
What mood would you doodle today?

#rarebooks #earlymodernbook #NationalLibraryOfLithuania #doodle

A historic parchment document confirming the nobility of the Scottish Gordon family, featuring ornate calligraphy, coats of arms, a portrait of King Charles IĮ, and decorative elements. The document shows signs of aging and water damage

Close-up of a 17th-century engraved and hand-colored portrait of King Charles II - a man with long curly hair and elaborate clothing-, featured in the Gordon family nobility document.

Close-up of the heraldic crest at the top of the Gordon family nobility document, showing a shield flanked by a lion and a unicorn, with red and blue ornamental flourishes and Latin inscriptions.

A stunning piece of history: a 17th c. document stating family lineage of the #Scottish Gordon family, richly decorated with heraldry and cartouche of King Charles II. Some Gordons later settled in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania—bridging Scottish and Lithuanian heritage. #NationalLibraryOfLithuania

A 16th-century illustration of a man in a Purple and black Renaissance outfit with a ruffled collar, black cape, and black shoes. He carries a large, ornate pillow on his shoulder, holding it with one hand while carrying a small hat in the other. The handwritten text above reads “Habito Vinitiano” and describes him as a servant carrying a cushion.

A 16th-century illustration of a man dressed in purple and black Renaissance clothing, wearing a black hat with gold trim. He is carrying an ornate, red and gold chair on his shoulder, gripping one of its curved arms. The handwritten text identifies him as another servant tasked with carrying a chair

A 16th-century illustration of a man in Renaissance attire, holding a large, elegant parasol with a golden frame and pink fabric. He wears a black hat with a gold band and walks forward, holding the parasol upright. The handwritten text describes him as a servant carrying an umbrella.

When job descriptions are vague, but carrying random objects with style is a must.

From 16th century #AlbumAmicorum #Renaissance #earlymodern
#NationalLibraryOfLithuania

Engraved illustration from an early printed book showing a cherub-like figure with wings holding a small plow and guiding a curved branch or ribbon that appears to be lassoing two butterflies. Below the image, a Latin inscription reads: ‘Verbaque aratoris rustica discit Amor,’ which translates to ‘And Love learns the rustic words of the plowman.’ The book’s title and author information are partially visible, printed in a classic serif typeface.

I also enjoy spending my free time plowing fields and lassoing butterflies. #JustAgrarianThings #earlymodern #rarebooks #bookhistory #NationalLibraryofLithuania

Not only 12 apostles attended the Last Supper! Look closely, and you’ll spot a #cat symbolizing betrayal and a loyal #dog representing faithfulness. 🐾🐱🐶

Missale Romanum, Antwerp, 1663

#caturday #HiddenDetails #rarebooks #NationalLibraryOfLithuania #OfficinaPlantiniana

A Baroque #Caturday lesson: This cat is more diligent in catching its prey than some are in seeking eternal wisdom. Priorities! 🐱📜

#EarlyModern #rarebooks #specialcollections #NationalLibraryOfLithuania

Black-and-white engraving features an ornate decorative frame surrounding an emblematic image. Inside the frame, there is a turtle with wings, seemingly moving forward. Above the turtle, a ribbon banner displays the Latin phrase “AMOR ADDIDIT,” which translates to “Love has added.” The engraving is executed in a Baroque style, with elaborate scrollwork and fine detailing.

Amor addidit

Plain and simple.

#valentinesday #earlymodern #officinaplantiniana #NationalLibraryOfLithuania

How often do you add your own enhancements to books?

This antiphonal was made for and owned by the Carmelites in Vilnius—most likely, they were the ones who did the touch-ups.
#NationalLibraryOfLithuania #Manuscript #specialcollections

“After 1945 the Library also recovered large portions of the Vilna YIVO’s prewar holdings along with thousands of rabbinic works from Vilna’s Strashun Library.”

On the other note: Strashun's collection of Jewish books held in the #NationalLibraryOfLithuania won recognition from UNESCO in 2017.

A close-up image of three old books stacked horizontally on top of each other. The books show significant signs of age, with cracked leather spines, exposed binding threads, and worn edges. The top two books exhibit more severe damage, with peeling leather and missing portions of their covers. The bottom book has a slightly better-preserved spine and a green label marked “F.200.”

#NakedBooks Sometines you just get a good lighting and a beautiful set of books on a shelf.

#specialcollections #rarebooks #NationalLibraryOfLithuania

Viktorija Vaitkevičiūtė on the left and Milda Kvizikevičiūtė on the right holding book “Ex libris bibliothecae nationalis Lithuaniae”

Two very proud (maybe a little bit to much) authors of the book! What an evening, with great company and interesting conversations about #rarebooks and #specialcollections in general! #NationalLibraryOfLithuania

“The feeling when you finally get a copy of your own book! 🎉
Discover the highlights of the #NationalLibraryOfLithuania, all in one place for everyone to explore.

#specialcollections #rarebooks #bestofthebest”

Every year we get an intern from the North Pole. Apparently, we have a direct door to it’s library.

#NationalLibraryOfLithuania #specialcollections #skystorians

Title page of a 1625 book, ‘Justini ex Trogo Pompeio Historia,’ printed in Venice. The page features the title in large, bold letters and an ornate printer’s device resembling the Officina Plantiniana mark, used deceptively to mimic Antwerp’s famous printing house. Handwritten notes are visible in the margins.

Who needs #Antwerp when you’ve got #Venice? This 1625 book might look like a #OfficinaPlantiniana masterpiece, but that’s just the printer’s creative marketing. 17th-century book world: where branding was already king. #RareBooks #PrintingFrauds #specialcollections #NationalLibraryOfLithuania

No shirts, no pants, no envy.

16th century Ovid’s Metamorphoses was not decent enough for the public eye—but at least the pants situation was covered.

#earlymodernbook #specialcollections #NationalLibraryOfLithuania

An open 19th-century herbarium showcasing a detailed hand-painted botanical illustration of a flowering plant (Latin name Daphne mezererum) on one page and a corresponding pressed dried plant specimen carefully attached to the opposite page. The background includes handwritten notes and records, providing insight into historical botanical studies.

Daphne mezereum | February Daphne

A stunning glimpse into historical #botany and its preservation!

19th-century herbarium with dried plants and illustrations, from Piotr Veriovkin, former governor of Kaunas, collection. Now part of the #NationalLibraryOfLithuania special cillections.