Calligraphic manuscripts in special collections: analysis of ms. Göttingen Schönschriften (ca. 1560)

Main characteristics of the calligraphic manuscript entitled Schönschriften (beautiful writings) discovered in the Historical Library, University of Göttingen (Germany) are analyzed here. A method based on the principles of material description is developed here to find out details of its formal structure, technical and aesthetical calligraphic mastery and historical circumstances of production and use. This example is part of a large tradition of handwriting and penmanship existing during the 16-17th centuries and displays the convenient integration between academic research and calligraphic practice to achieve improvements in the specialized training on paleography skills of staff responsible for special collections.