ANN ARBOR—A rare collection of documents tracing the development of the Bible from ancient Egyptian manuscripts to the modern printed book is on display at the University of Michigan’s Harlan Hatcher Graduate Library.

“From Papyri to King James: The Transmission of the English Bible” includes documents spread across nations, peoples, and languages. The Wycliffe English Bibles, the earliest complete biblical manuscripts in English, has roots extending back to the earliest New Testament documents and even further back to oral tradition and prehistory for the Old Testament.

The exhibition, located in the Special Collections Library, also examines the origins of the King James Bible through direct ancestors and related religious works. Portions from several letters of Paul, first appearance of Greek and Latin texts in print, and early translations of English are all on display. Some of the older documents are written on papyrus and parchment. For better comparison, some of the Bibles are opened to the same passage providing an easier observation of the developments in languages, handwriting and type design.

The exhibition, free and open to the public, will open Nov. 28 and run through Jan. 31. An open house will be held Dec. 10, 1-5 p.m. The exhibition can be seen Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m.-noon. The exhibition will be closed Saturday, Dec. 23; Monday, Jan. 1; and Saturday, Jan. 6.

Guided tours are available for groups by appointment only and can be arranged by calling (313) 764-9377.