Manuscript on paper of C. Iulius Caesar (100-44 B.C.), De bello Gallico; De bello civili; De bello Alexandrino; De bello Africo; De bello Hispaniensi.
Description:
Binding: ca. 1700 (repaired in 1993 by P. Dusel). Brown sprinkled calf over cardboard, gold-tooled: the covers decorated with a double fillet frame, the spine, with seven raised bands, richly decorated. In the second compartment a red title label with gold-tooled inscription “CESARIS / COMMENT/ARII .Ms.” Red edges., Collection of Bernard M. Rosenthal, Berkeley (MS 174). Purchased from Rosenthal on the Edwin J. Beinecke Fund., Pale red headings in Humanistica Textualis, sometimes missing, especially towards the end of the codex. Running headlines in the same colour and by the same hand, “L” in the middle of the verso page, the number in the middle and the title at right on the recto page. Gothic initials at the head of the subdivisions of the text as sketched above (including f. 69r): (1) foliate initials in Lombard style in red and green, filled with blue heightened with white penwork, on a square gold background, up to f. 51r; the opening one (f. 1r) is 9 lines high and has penwork extensions ending in leaves in the left and upper margin (the latter interfering with the heading); the others are 4-5 lines high and have similar sprays in the left margin only; (2) Starting f. 68v (art. 2) blue flourished initials (4-6 lines) with red penwork, the latter extending in the margin., and Script: Copied by one scribe writing a small Gothico-Humanistica with features close to Gothica Semitextualis Libraria.
Subject (Geographic):
Rome--History, Military--265-30 B.C
Subject (Name):
Caesar, Julius
Subject (Topic):
Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval, Manuscripts, Medieval--Connecticut--New Haven, and Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in Beinecke Library
Manuscript on parchment (trimmed) of a Book of Hours, use of Paris. Includes a Full calendar, Fifteen Joys of the Virgin, Seven Requests, and a sonnet, all in French
Description:
In Latin and French., Script: Written in Gothic bookhand., Sixteen miniatures from the workshops of the Lucon Master and the Master of the Duke of Bedford, in blue, pink, and gold arched frames, some with cusping. Each miniature with a lavish acanthus border incorporating arms on ff. 77r and 93r. Text pages with a 3/4 bar border, pink, blue and gold, with interlace knots at corners and terminals and delicate rinceaux, in two sizes on different folios. 3-line initials at text opening, two historiated: f. 77r and f. 93r; f. 51r with a blue and gold diapered ground; the remainder, blue with white highlights or in pink and blue acanthus filled with ivy, with blue and orange leaves, on gold, against pink, blue and/or gold grounds with white filigree; framed in gold, often with small ivy or acanthus serifs. 4- to 2-line initials in text and KL monograms, pink or blue with white highlights, filled with ivy, as above. 1-line initials blue, pink and gold with white filigree. Line endings, blue, pink and gold, three (ff. 57r, 102r, 102v) signed by Petrus Gilberti, known to have signed line-endings in at least four other manuscripts. Rubrics throughout., and Binding: 18th-19th centuries. Gilt edges. Red velvet with a silver fastening and a silver medallion, with unidentified male figure preaching, in center of upper board.
Subject (Geographic):
Connecticut and New Haven.
Subject (Name):
Catholic Church
Subject (Topic):
Books of hours, Devotional literature, French, Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval, and Manuscripts, Medieval
Manuscript on paper (medium weight, sturdy) of 1) Aristotle, De anima. Followed by a Latin translation of Aristotle's De anima, sometimes ascribed to William of Moerbeke. 2) Simplicius, In Aristotelis De anima libros Commentarius. 3) Paraphrasis of art. 1. 4) Plotinus, Enneades I.1-8.6 line 27. 5) Aristotle, De interpretatione
Description:
In Greek and Latin., Watermarks on f. ii similar to Briquet Main 10713; ff. 1-48 similar to Harlfinger Homme 21; f. 49 similar to Briquet Ancre 428; ff. 51-67 similar to Briquet Chapeau 3384; ff. 69-80 similar to Briquet Balance 2506; ff. 81-96 similar to Briquet Lettre R 8938., Script: The manuscript is divided into 4 parts, which do not correspond precisely with the divisions of the text. Part I (ff. 1r-50v): Written in small, neat Greek minuscule. The parallel Latin translation (ff. 1r-9v only) is in italic, about the same size as the Greek; probably added later, since it is written around some marginal rubrics for the Greek text. Part II (ff. 51r-67r): Written in a rather large Greek minuscule, with a thick pen which ran out of ink every few words; marginal and interlinear notes much smaller, but possibly by same hand. Part III (ff. 67v-80r): Greek minuscule very similar to that in Part I. Part IV (ff. 81r-96v): Same scribe as Part II; signed on f. 96v: George, son of Constantine., Part I: Space for a 5-line initial at the beginning of the Greek text was not filled; 2-line initials in red at beginning of sections; headings in red, also marks in margin for chapters. Part II: Spaces for initials, 7-line or larger, were not filled in, but two initials similar to those in Part IV were sketched in (ff. 51r and 56r). Part III: Spaces for 8-line initials not filled. Part IV: 7-line initials in black and orange-tinted red; stylized leaves and vines, with a bird on f. 83v. Diagrams in red traced over black., and Binding: Nineteenth century. Tan calf case deeply indented and gold- and blind-tooled. Similar to the bindings of MSS 255 and 256 and probably by the same binder. According to A. R. A. Hobson the binder may be Whitaker.
Subject (Geographic):
Connecticut and New Haven.
Subject (Name):
Aristotle.
Subject (Topic):
Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval, Manuscripts, Medieval, and Scholia
Manuscript on parchment (monastic, furry) of Josephus, De bello Judaico, translated into Latin by Hegesippus
Description:
In Latin., Script: Written by a single scribe in elegant French minuscule. Marginalia, including "Nota" marks, by several later hands., Good pen-drawn initial for Book 1 (f. 2v), 12-line, in brown, with vigorous foliage swirls, modelled with fine striations, against a bright, multicolored (green, blue, red, maroon) panelled ground; for the Prologue and Books 2-5 (ff. 2r, 37r, 52r, 67v, and 82v), 7- or 5-line initials, in red, blue, green, and light brown with delicate, stylized foliage (f. 2r: also with two stylized heads). On f. 77v, a marginal drawing in red ink of a man pointing to text with a note (13th century) in brown ink "Nota de iniquo Symone.". Rubrics throughout., and Binding: Eighteenth century. Edges gilt. Green goatskin gold-tooled, with a brick-red label.
Subject (Geographic):
Connecticut and New Haven.
Subject (Name):
Josephus, Flavius.
Subject (Topic):
Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval, Jews, History, and Manuscripts, Medieval
Manuscript on parchment of Marcus Annaeus Lucanus (39-65), De bello civili (Pharsalia).
Description:
A series of illuminated leaves have been cut out; only the initials at the opening of Books 2, 5, 8, 9 and 10 are preserved. The initials are in Lombard style, pink letters on a blue square background, both decorated with white penwork, and have acanthus extensions of green, orange and yellow in the margin. The decoration is different in each initial; the one on f. 8v contains four yellow flowers. There is no space for a heading at the opening of Books 2 and 5; one line is left free for headings at the opening of Books 8-10, but headings have not been entered., Binding: Fifteenth century, Italy. Blind-tooled brown leather (worn) over slightly rounded beech boards, part of the front cover and the entire spine missing. Worm holes, especially in the rear board. Sewn on three split leather thongs. On the covers a triple frame of four double fillets; the space between the middle and the inner frame filled with interlace design; the four corners of the central panel are decorated with quarter circles of fillets filled with the same design; in the middle an oblong cartouche; on the front board part of the damaged original cover has been replaced by brown leather blind-tooled with a different interlace design. Marks of four clasps attached to the front board; two lily-shaped brass catches remain, fixed by means of three nails to the outer side of the rear board. On the blank wood of the front board there is a fragmentary inscription in ink and large script (upside down, 16th century?)., and Script: Copied by one hand writing Southern Gothica Semitextualis Libraria/Formata, using the two forms of d. The opening majuscule of each verse is placed in a separate column. The scribe sometimes adds hairline extensions in the upper margin to letters on the top line; the loops of these occasionally contain a sketchy human face.
Subject (Geographic):
Rome--History--Civil War, 43-31 B.C
Subject (Name):
Lucan, 39-65
Subject (Topic):
Epic poetry, Latin, Historical poetry, Latin, Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval, Manuscripts, Medieval--Connecticut--New Haven, and Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in Beinecke Library
Manuscript on parchment of Leonardo Bruni, De bello italico adversus gothos, in the Italian version by Ludovico Petroni made in 1456. Preceded by the letter of Leonardo Bruni to Giuliano Cardinal Cesarini (1398-1444).
Description:
Binding: 18th-19th centuries, Italy. "Alla rustica" with grey-green paper added over the spine and part of the boards. Edges yellow., Partial border in inner margin of white vine-stem ornament, f. 1r, on blue, green and pink ground with white and blue dots. In lower border terminals extending in ink hair spray with green, pink and blue flowers and gold balls frame central medallion with a crude outline drawing of a head in profile (later addition?). Two decorated initials, 4- to 3-line, gold on blue, pink and green grounds with white vine-stem ornament. On f. 1r initial joined to partial border. Heading on f. 1r in red., and Script: Written by a single scribe in fere-gothic script, above top line.
Subject (Geographic):
Rome--History
Subject (Topic):
Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval, Italian literature--15th century, Literature, Medieval--Translations, Manuscripts, Medieval--Connecticut--New Haven, and Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in Beinecke Library
Manuscript on parchment of Josephus, De bello iudaico, translated into Latin by Rufinus
Alternative Title:
De bello Judaico
Description:
In Latin., Written in bold and elegant early gothic bookhand; some looped flourishes in upper margins contain red dots., Seven initials, 17- to 10-line, in red, filled with red swirling foliage on orange and green grounds, with touches of blue, against irregular grounds of blue and/or orange panels. 6- to 2-line initials, green and/or red with red or green foliate flourishes, set both outside and into text column; initials sometimes incorporate simple facial features. 1-line red initials for rubrics. Rubrics throughout; remains of notes to rubricator., and Binding: Nineteenth century. Brown goatskin, blind-tooled.
Subject (Geographic):
Connecticut and New Haven.
Subject (Name):
Josephus, Flavius.
Subject (Topic):
Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval, Jews, History, Latin literature, Medieval and modern, and Manuscripts, Medieval
Manuscript on paper of Nicolaus Cusanus, De Beryllo. The Beinecke manuscript is the oldest witness to this text
Description:
In Latin., Watermarks: similar to Briquet Fleur 6651 (a. 1452, not 1552 as printed)., Script: Written in fere-humanistic script by one scribe., Two illuminated initials, one on f. 1v, 11-line, with the arms of Nicolaus Cusanus, mauve, green, blue, and gold acanthus with yellow and white highlights, against a square gold ground, edged with brown pen; foliate serifs with extensive penwork and gold dots fill outer margin. The second initial, f. 1r, 7-line, as above, with short penwork extensions and silver dots; body of the initial incorporates the lens (beryllus). Diagrams to complement text in margins., and Binding: 16th-17th centuries (?). Sewn on three small, tawed skin, slit strap supports laced into made boards. The head edge is spattered green. Covered in light brown goatskin with corner tongues. Four fastenings of suede-like ribbons. Blind-tooled with concentric frames, the center filled in with a floral design, dotted with ring punches. All but one of the fastenings wanting.
Subject (Geographic):
Connecticut and New Haven.
Subject (Name):
Nicholas, of Cusa, Cardinal, 1401-1464.
Subject (Topic):
Knowledge, Theory of., Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval, Manuscripts, Medieval, and Philosophy, Medieval
Manuscript on paper (watermarks: unidentified mountain) and parchment (inner and outer bifolios, of poor quality) of Boccaccio, De claris mulieribus; translated into Italian by Donato degli Albanzani
Description:
In Italian., Script: Written by three persons in round gothic script: Scribe 1, ff. 1r-33v (except f. 8, replaced in 16th century); Scribe 2, ff. 33v-36v; Scribe 3; ff. 37r-74r. In portions written by Scribes 1 and 2 some elaborate ascenders and descenders in upper and lower margins, touched with red., Initials, 3- to 2-line, in red or blue, sometimes with red penwork. Rubrics throughout. Initial added [date?], f. 2v, to replace one removed: blue, with leafy filler in green outline, and foliage extending down margin and across top and bottom of column, drawn in green, red, and blue., Initial removed from f. 2v; leaf was then reinforced with paper covering f. 2r, col. b (blank). Lower margins of ff. 1, 33 and 37 cut off., and Binding: 19th-20th centuries. Vellum spine and fore-edge strip with marbled paper sides. Label on spine: "Donne Illust. del Boccacc. MS".
Subject (Geographic):
Connecticut and New Haven.
Subject (Name):
Boccaccio, Giovanni, 1313-1375.
Subject (Topic):
Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval, Latin literature, Medieval and modern, and Manuscripts, Medieval
Manuscript on parchment of Nonius Marcellus, De compendiosa doctrina.
Description:
Binding: Twentieth century, after 1926, England. Dark green pigskin, gold-tooled with the arms of C. H. St. John Hornby on the upper side; title on spine. Edges gilt., Folio 1r with partial border in upper and inner margins; white vine-stem ornament on blue, green and pink ground with grey and pale yellow dots, terminating in penwork with gold balls. At the left upper corner vine-stem ornament is inhabited by a red-winged putto being attacked by a bird. Historiated initial, 9-line, gold, against a blue, green and pink ground with white vine-stem ornament, and a medallion with the profile of a man, dressed in a red and green cap and red robes against blue ground. Numerous small initials, 4-line, gold on blue, pink and green or blue and pink rectangular grounds with white and pale yellow filigree., Purchased from Davis and Orioli in 1955 by L. C. Witten, who sold it that same year to Thomas E. Marston., and Script: Written in a small upright humanistic cursive script by a single scribe who began copying the text with a single line of majuscules; written below top line.
Subject (Name):
Nonius Marcellus,--4th cent
Subject (Topic):
Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval, Manuscripts, Medieval--Connecticut--New Haven, Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in Beinecke Library, and Theology--Early works to 1800