Before the invention of moveable type in the mid-fifteenth century, information was recorded and transmitted by means of hand-lettered documents. Earlier manuscripts were meant to be read by several scholars or choir members together and because a large size document was needed, they were usually hand-lettered on hide (which often appears bumpy and puckered today). The choicest and rarest of the manuscripts are miniatures which were destined for private libraries and often have wonderful elaboration, design, and gold leafing. Manuscripts are valued on the basis of the reputation and skill of the calligrapher (if known), on the scarcity of the piece (the age and country of origin are often important in determining the rarity of a piece), and finally on the detail (the design, tracery, and gold leafing).
