St. Augustine’s sermons to hermits: new Split University Library’s incunabula

On the eve of the upcoming celebration of its 120th anniversary of foundation, Split University Library added another incunabula to its vaults - Sermons of St. Augustine to hermits (Sermones sancti Augustini ad heremitas), published 1495 in Venice, by Simone Bevilaqua.

With this in mind, University Library Special Collection’s department has been, since November 16, hosting the exhibition "Sermons of St. Augustine to hermits: space, time, users", which exhibits this work of exceptional value, together with valuable materials,  consisting of originals and prints in manuscripts, created at the passage from the Middle Ages to New. The exhibition stays open until December 16.

Mihaela Kovačić, adviser to the head of Department for acquisition and processing of special materials, pointed out that this was a part of personal archive of the Archaeological Museum in Split’s long-time director, professor Željko Rapanić Ph.D.

 - These items, unlike books from the 15th century, as well as today, do not have a cover but, like manuscripts, incipit and explicit, main determinants needed to describe and identify old manuscripts and first printed books – Kovačić concluded.

Ana Utrobičić, University Library’s director, greeted everyone present and thanked the Rapanić family, Split-Dalmatia County, the City of Split, and all colleagues at the Library who helped prepare and realize this project.