Manuscript on paper of a collection of extracts primarily on virtues and vices
Description:
In Latin., Watermarks: unidentified letter (?), in gutter., Script: Written in a calligraphic and sometimes flamboyant humanistic cursive script by a single scribe, below top line., Large decorated initial, f. 2r, 16-line. Body of initial formed of intricate interlace bands, yellow and brown washes, against paper and yellow and brown ground; exhibits strong shading. Display script in red and blue. Rubrics (pale red) in text in humanistic bookhand., and Binding: Fifteenth century, Italy. Strips cut from a parchment manuscript (text washed) are adhered around the fold of each quire. Original sewing on three kermes pink, slit straps. The parchment sides are sewn with the first and last quires.
Manuscript on paper, in a single secretary hand, of an English translation of Macchiavelli's biography of Castracani. This volume also includes, in a variety of hands, "Short Collections on natural history," calculations for the "Dimensions of England," a multiplication table and conversion table for beer and ale, puzzles, a collection of recipes for making colored ink titled "Profitable receipts taken out of Mathers Yong mans companion," a Latin dialogue between "Puer" and "Preceptor" titled "Colloquia Familiaria," and a Latin text with 14 chapters titled "Ars Logica."
Description:
Binding: full sheep (front board missing)., For information on the source of acquisition, consult the appropriate curator., On first flyleaf: "Charles Darwin, No. 112.", On last two pages: pen trials, including calligraphic drawings and the alphabet., Paper has gilt edges., and This translation differs widely from Edward Dacre's version, published in 1640.
Subject (Geographic):
Lucca (Italy)
Subject (Name):
Castracani, Castruccio,--1281-1328., Mather, W.--(William),--fl. 1695., and Niccolo Machiavelli,--1469-1527.--Vita di Castruccio Castracani.
