The Folger is closing at 4:30pm on Sunday, February 23, for a staff training exercise. Normal hours will resume when the Folger opens on Tuesday, February 25, at 11:00am.
Even though printing became popular in Europe, for many decades important books continued to be produced by hand, copied page by page and illustrated with miniature paintings. This richly illustrated manuscript is a Missal—the prayer book containing the prayers, important chants, responses, and instructions for the celebration of the Mass in the Roman Catholic Church. Medieval manuscript Missals are now rare, most likely because daily use caused most copies to wear out.
