Manuscript Fragments in the University and Provincial Library of Tyrol at Innsbruck

Abstract

This article presents an overview of the current state of knowledge concerning detached and in situ fragments in the collection of the University and Provincial Library of Tyrol (ULB Tyrol). The detached fragments were removed in several different phases from manuscripts and printed volumes, and, at the turn of the twentienth century, were assembled in a separate collection, which now numbers 233 shelfmarks, some of which contain as many as 26 individual pieces. A current Austrian National Bank project is underway to publish images and descriptions on Fragmentarium. Among in situ fragments, only those in manuscript codices have been described, namely in the ten-volume ULB Tyrol manuscript catalogue, but they represent only part of the holdings of fragments. Nevertheless, these 390 fragments contained in some 302 manuscripts provide an overview of the range of material in the collection, and the promise held by the larger collection.