Digitization

Converting information
into digital format

The Telugu Manuscript was a unique item for the Digitization Lab to photograph. The manuscript is bound as a series of dried palm leaves, each inscribed with text etched into the surface of the leaves. Given the fragility of this item and its inherently weak binding structure, photographing it was a challenge.

Etched palm leaf pages with insect damage — Insect damage to palm leaf pages of the manuscript

Imaging

Photographing and Processing

Each manuscript leaf or page contains tiny, etched handwriting characters. Normally, the etched handwriting is rubbed with a dark-colored powder, making the text easier to read. Such powder was not used on the text of this manuscript, making the inscriptions difficult to see under direct studio lighting and difficult to photograph. To ensure legibility of the transcription on each page, the Digitization staff adjusted the studio lighting equipment and utilized shadows, or raking light, to reveal the text details.

Each manuscript page spread was set at an even distance from the camera lens to guarantee maximum focal quality. A supporting book stand was readjusted after every page spread was photographed. Conservation and Digitization staff members worked as a team to handle each fragile page and photograph the complex manuscript.

An archival camera system fitted with an 80-megapixel digital back was used to create the photographs. The camera is mounted on an adjustable reproduction stand, which was illuminated by two banks of LED, color-accurate lights.

Overhead camera photographing bound manuscript — Phase One archival camera system with manuscript

Digital Repository

Kōṭikalapūḍi Vīrarāghavakavi
(1663-1712)

Collection: Pitts Theology Reference

Provenance: In the vicinity of present-day Kotikalapudi, Andhra Pradesh State, India

Digitally-captured images of this manuscript may be accessed by visiting the Emory University Readux repository.

Readux