Rare Books, Maps, and Manuscripts at TEFAF
TEFAF Maastricht is widely regarded as the world's preeminent art fair. Though TEFAF recently expanded into New York City, this anchor fair is held in the Netherlands from March 10-19 and is going into its thirtieth year. TEFAF draws rare book, map, and manuscript dealers and collectors as well, as we found during our visit in 2013, but the offerings bask in the highest echelon of such material. They are captivating to look at and destined for museums or major private collections. Here are four highlights: 
Shapero Rare Books has exhibited at TEFAF for nearly 25 years. One of its show-stoppers this year is Maria Sibylla Merian's groundbreaking work of entomology, Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium (1726-1730). Courtesy of Shapero Rare Books. 
Daniel Crouch Rare Books plans to display historic maps exploring how the boundaries of and within Europe, "changed over the centuries through conquest, decline, and simply better mapping." Pictured here: Nova et Accurata Totius Europae Tabula, Frederick de Wit, Amsterdam, 1700. Courtesy of Daniel Crouch Rare Books.
Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books will offer several notable manuscripts, including the one shown above: Life of St. Radegund, a manuscript in French and Latin, illuminated by the Master of St. Radegund and made for King Charles VIII and his wife Anne de Bretagne. The manuscript was made in France, presumably between 1496-98. Courtesy of Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books. 
Les Enluminures will exhibit this "flawless" fifteenth-century Book of Hours with 69 miniatures known as the Hours of Isabeau de Croix. Dr. Sandra Hindman, CEO and President of Les Enluminures, says, "This is by far one of the best Books of Hours I have ever handled as a dealer." Courtesy of Les Enluminures.
