Several years ago, Phil Metzger, head of Lehigh University's Special Collections department, met with members of the Shire of Eisental, the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Society for Creative Anachronism, a group dedicated to researching and re-creating pre-17th century culture.
Surrounded by books from Lehigh's collection, Archivist Phil Metzger addresses the history enthusiasts.
Archivist Metzger starts to talk about the two Renaissance illuminated Books of Hours in the Lehigh Collection.
Archivist Metzger explains how the Books of Hours that Lehigh owns were constructed.
Examining a printed work
An SCA member examines a Book of Hours
Fascinated by the illustrations in the hand-painted books!
Careful hands turn the pages of the Calendar at the front of the Book of Hours.
"Oh wow! Take a look at this illumination!"
Members of the Shire compare a Renaissance book of hours to a modern re-enactor's 'brag book' of illuminated certificates.
Dr. Metzger shows off the 'added illustrations' (16th century doodles) in Lehigh's printed copy of Agricola.
Archivist Metzger shows details of our 'annotated' Agricola to re-enactors from a variety of cultures.
Examining an early printed book.
Talking about the development of the book printing process.
Poring over Lehigh's reproduction of the Gutenberg Bible.
A modern and medieval meeting of the minds!
Some close-ups from the books used.