DIGITIZING THE CORVINAS: A COOPERATIVE PROJECT OF THE NATIONAL SZÉCHENYI LIBRARY OF HUNGARY

Abstract

In the beginning, the pen was the primary instrument available for making a copy of a book or document. Then, about a hundred and fifty years ago photography began to be used, and our learned predecessors could investigate facsimiles of codices from distant collections. Not too many decades ago, microfilm was invented, which enabled the mass archiving of written culture. In recent years, the technological innovation of digital imaging has yet again changed how we archive and make available copies of books and documents.

Because they are often rare and fragile, many manuscripts and early printed books are not readily . . .