The collections of the Museum of the Order of St John include a little known, but internationally significant and fascinating collection of early printed books and bound manuscripts. Thanks to a donation from a generous Museum supporter, this collection is the subject of an ongoing cataloguing project.

The Project Librarian, who has been immersed in the surprising texts and rare publications for several months now, has selected some of her favourite items to showcase in this exhibition.

This little volume from the Historic Library is a rare example of a book published in the 17^th century that has been illuminated with gold leaf on the title page and in the dedication statement. Written by the Italian poet and politician Bernardino Martirano, the work retells the myth of Arethusa through a poem made of eighty-six stanzas.

The item in the Museum Library is one of the few surviving copies of the post-humous 1631 edition dedicated to Fra D. Francesco Bisagni, an erudite nobleman and Knight of the Order of St John. The copy is beautifully decorated with gold leaf in the title and imprint statement and has the coat of arms on the title page (with motto “Ab homine iniquo et doloso erue me”) hand-painted in red, black and gold. The first initial on the dedication page is historiated and illuminated with gilt on an azure background:

Unfortunately, we do not know the provenance of this volume and in the absence of any signs of ownership from former owners (such as, for example: inscriptions, bookplates or stamps), we have no way of knowing who owned it throughout the centuries.

Click here to return to the exhibition homepage and choose another book in our collection to learn about.