Manuscript on parchment of Boethius, De topicis differentiis.
Description:
Binding: Date? Limp vellum case with title, in ink, on spine: "Topica boetij"., One historiated initial, f. 1v, blue with white filigree and highlights against a square reddish brown ground with white filigree, showing Boethius as a monk in a blue robe seated on a chair and holding a scroll inscribed with his name, and a disciple, dressed in a red robe and holding a book inscribed with the opening words of the text proper, both figures against a grey ground with white filigree. Three illuminated initials, ff. 7v, 16v, 23r, 6- to 4-line (without ascenders or descenders), blue with white filigree against reddish brown ground with white filigree or reddish brown against blue ground with white filigree. The initials are filled with scrolling vines blue or reddish brown with white highlights, with stylized leaves, ending in dragons' heads against reddish brown or blue grounds. Descender, f. 16v, in form of a dragon, reddish brown against blue ground. Flourished initials, 2-line, and paragraph marks alternate red and blue., and Script: Written in compact gothic bookhand by a single scribe, below top line.
Subject (Topic):
Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval, Latin literature, Medieval and modern, Manuscripts, Medieval--Connecticut--New Haven, and Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in Beinecke Library
Manuscript on parchment of a Middle English text of the Book of Sir John Mandeville, probably related to the "Defective Version." Biblical quotations in Middle English on f63v-f64v.
Alternative Title:
Itinerarium. English
Description:
Annotation, in a later hand, on f1r: Sir John Mandevile's Travails., Binding: 18th-century full mottled calf, gilt. Spine label reads: Mandevil's travails., From the collection of John Theyer; from the collection of John Barwick of Charing; ex libris Walter Sneyd; ex libris Sir Thomas Brooke; from the collection of Sir John Arthur Brooke (Sotheby's London sale 25 May 1921, lot 921); from the collection of Sir R. Leicester Harmsworth (Sotheby's London sale 15 October 1945, lot 2023). Purchased from Martayan Lan Rare Books on the James Marshall and Marie-Louise Osborn Fund, 2011., Opening illuminated initial with ivy-leaf sprays into margins and 17 blue initials with extensive red penwork flourishing. Three contemporary or near-contemporary marginal drawings, one with color wash, of manicula., Script: cursive anglicana hand in brown ink; 32 lines per page., Side notes and notation marks in various hands, 15th-17th century., Sir John Mandeville is the suppositious author of the "travel" book known as the Book of Sir John Mandeville, or Mandeville's Travels. Written in the 14th century in Anglo-Norman French, it was widely popular and thought to be an accurate account of a knight's journey through Europe, the Middle East and Asia., and Title supplied by cataloger.
Subject (Name):
Harmsworth, R. Leicester--(Robert Leicester),--Sir,--1870-1937--Ownership, Mandeville, John,--Sir, Sneyd, Walter,--1809-1888--Bookplate, and Theyer, John,--1597-1673--Autograph
Subject (Topic):
English prose literature--Middle English, 1100-1500, Manuscripts, Medieval--Connecticut--New Haven, Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in Beinecke Library, and Voyages and travels--Early works to 1800