An illustrated look at illuminated documents and the stories they contain. 

Illuminated addresses—in the form of books, scrolls, certificates, and the like—were at their most popular in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Typically written in fine calligraphy and embellished with skilled artwork and lustrous design, they were often bestowed to individuals in celebration of distinguished service or an important event, perhaps to honor a particular achievement or retirement. Each illuminated address is unique. In this stunning exploration of illuminated documents, John P. Wilson shares the larger stories of these works and shows us the beauty created by the skills of the illuminators.