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.

Other titles: Prohemium in volumen stabilimentorum Rhodioru[m] Militu[m] Sacri ordinis hospitalis sancti Johannis Hierosolymitani

Statuta ordinis Hospitalis Sancti Johannis Baptistae Hierosolimitani

This first illustrated account of the Statutes and regulations of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem was printed in the city of Ulm (Germany) in 1496, by Johann Reger. It followed the publication of two earlier editions of the Statutes (“Stabilimenta” in Latin), one completed in Venice in 1495 by Bernardus Stagninus, the other one in Paris, in a French translation, between 1493 and 1495. The author Guillaume Caoursin, Vice-Chancellor of Rhodes (1430-1501) and Secretary to the Grand-Master, prepared the publication of the Order’s statutes by compiling and editing the existing rules kept in manuscript copies from the 14^th and 15^th centuries.

The edition published in Ulm was illustrated with 20 full-page woodcuts depicting the history, ceremonies, regalia and offices of the Order and with one small cut of the arms of Grand Master Pierre d’Aubusson. The large woodcuts were executed by an anonymous artist, called ‘Master of the Caoursin’ and they are unique to this edition. Other decorations in the text include large floriated and historiated initials and several smaller initials (white on black).

The binding is contemporary to the book: German calf over oak boards with pastedowns made from a 15th century vellum manuscript rubricated in red ink.

The front flyleaf of the volume has an old manuscript inscription “Bibl. Velensi” on it, an autograph of H.W. Stockebrandt and the bookplate of the Museum Library. According to our records, the volume was acquired for the Order of St John in England in November 1950, with funds partially donated by Mrs. Man Stuart, a Lady of Grace of the Order.

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