This magnificent volume was given by Robert de Ormesby, a monk of Norwich, to the choir of the Cathedral Church, 'ad jacendum coram Suppriore qui pro tempore fuerit inperpetuum.' It is illustrated with illuminations most beautifully executed,
but, at the same time, containing the most grotesque and profanely inappropriate figures, resembling those sometimes found on the Misereres of collegiate churches. It is bound in a large covering of sheepskin, which by overlapping the volume has no doubt greatly contributed to preserve its freshness and beauty of condition. A facsimile from one page is to be found in Shaw's Illuminated Ornaments, 1833, with a description by Sir F. Madden. It belongs to the Douce collection.
In a separate glass case adjoining the preceding (in which was formerly exhibited a fine specimen of the typography of the Royal Press at Berlin, in a German Bible given by the King of Prussia) is now displayed a fine Bible printed at Glasgow in 1862, in two folio volumes, and illustrated with very beautiful photographs by Frith, which was called the Queen's Bible from its being dedicated by permission to Her Majesty.
In a glass case in the adjoining window is a German Bible, printed in 1541, with texts on the fly-leaves in the handwriting of Luther and Melanchthon, whose signatures, although much defaced by some possessor, are still very legible. See p. [245].
IN A GLASS CASE, WEST END OF THE LIBRARY.
1. Plinii Historia Naturalis; in folio. Printed 1476.
From the Douce collection. See p. [250].
2. Breviary and Psalter according to the use of the Carthusian Order; written about 1480.
A specimen of Italian art, from the Canonici collection.