A Joy Forever

Holding a centuries-old manuscript, resplendent with beauty, history, and craftsmanship, is an experience that transcends time. It is a rare privilege to connect with the past, to feel the weight of history in one’s hands, and to witness the splendour of human creativity. Such moments linger, leaving an indelible impression – truly, a joy forever.

 

The Book as a Work of Art

From the magical allure of early printed books to the masterful craftsmanship of the modern age, rare books transcend their function to become true works of art. Combining the sensual, the visual, and the imaginary, they invite you to experience history, creativity, and beauty in one extraordinary object—the ultimate expression of art in tangible form.

 

Manifesting the Impossible

Beyond trading in exquisite books from every century, we can offer entire collections that are truly one-of-a-kind and of world-class significance. From the largest collection of printed Books of Hours in existence to stellar collections of illustrated French books from the 18th and 19th centuries.

About us

For more than 45 years, Heribert Tenschert has been the foremost destination for the world's most exquisit illuminated medieval manuscripts and rare books. The primary mission of our organisation is to assist bibliophiles and institutions in building up their collections by furnishing them with the finest copies, by providing expert advice, and by publishing groundbreaking academic research.

 

WHAT’S NEW

 
 

Catalogue 90:
Wunderkammer

A Journey Through the Book Treasures of the 16th Century.
Our latest catalogue presents an enchanting selection of the highlights of that century’s book art: it tells the stories of 125 individual books, among them manuscripts, impressions on vellum, illuminated and illustrated books, exquisite bindings, first editions, and distinguished provenances.

Catalogue 88:
Das Stundenbuch des Claude de Toulongeon

One of the most impressive Flemish manuscripts of the late 15th century is explored in this monograph, our catalogue 88. This huge Book of Hours (270 mm height), with 54 remarkable semi-grisaille paintings, was made for Claude of Toulongeon, a knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece, and it survives today, fully intact and in perfect condition.

Catalogue 87:
Tage und Werke

Nowhere else but in calendar miniatures do we find such detailed and realistic depictions of the day-to-day lives of common people in medieval times. In this, our catalogue 87, we present this seasonal imagery in ten precious manuscripts from the Bibermühle collection, datable between 1270 and 1520 and illuminated by some of the greatest artists of their times.