Manuscript on paper of a group of shorter works by Christopher of Paris (pseudonym), probably a Venetian alchemist. With John of Rupescissa, De consideratione quinte essentie.
Description:
Binding: Sixteenth century. Brown calf, the covers blind-ruled to a rectangular pattern, the large center rectangle diagonally ruled to a lozenge pattern, a single quatrefoil impressed in blind in each of the rectangles and lozenges so formed, edges partly renewed and rebacked in the style of the period of the binding with compartments formed by three double raised bands, a gold stamped title label in the second compartment from top reading: "CHRISTOPHE | DE PARIS | - | RUPESCISSA | MANUSCRIPTS | ITALY | 15TH C". The endpapers are modern insertions, though of old paper, and the binding, while of the period of the manuscript, probably had no original connection with this codex., Denis Duveen; Mellon MS 45, acquired with the Duveen collection. Gift of Paul and Mary Mellon, 1965., In Italian and Latin., No headlines, headings and some capitals in pale red., Script: Written by a single scribe in a late humanistic cursive hand sloping slightly to the right., and Watermarks: 1) anchor with ring atop the shank, all within a circle; 2) plain and ill-drawn anchor with thick flukes, the top of the shank forming a small, neat cross with the short stock. Both probably Italian papers, not directly comparable to the varieties illustrated by Briquet.
Manuscript on paper of John of Rupescissa, De consideratione quinte essentie, anonymously translated into German.
Description:
Binding: Original reddish brown polished leather over finely beveled wooden boards, troughs for two clasps and two spikes on front cover, each cover with five nipplelike wrought brass bosses, one at each corner and one in the center, the lower cover with two large brass roundels used to fasten the now-missing strap ties which emerged from the lower fore-edge; sides ruled to a simple geometric pattern, back with raised bands, the clasps now missing and the hinges cracked, but the binding sound., Headings and capitals (a few decorated) in red throughout., and Script: Written by a very fine and bold German gothic cursive hand.
Arnaldus, de Villanova, d. 1311 Cicero, Marcus Tullius Johannes, de Rupescissa, ca. 1300-ca. 1365 Petrarca, Francesco, 1304-1374 Vergerio, Pietro Paolo, 1370-1444
Published / Created:
ca. 1475
Call Number:
Mellon MS 14
Image Count:
93
Resource Type:
Archives or Manuscripts
Abstract:
Manuscript on paper of 1) John of Rupescissa, De consideratione quinte essentie. 2) Arnold of Villanova, Epistola de sanguine humano ad magistrum Iacobum de Toleto. 3) Alchemical procedures. 4) Francesco Petrarca, Epistola ad Marcum Tullium Ciceronem. 5) Pier Paolo Vergerio, Epistola in nomine Ciceronis ad Franciscum Petrarcham. 6) Johannes Obrist, Super confectionem auri potabilis. 7) Nicolaus Claudii, Opus super aurum potabile.
Description:
Binding: Modern parchment over pasteboards, parchment pastedowns and guards, back gilt-lettered: "DE QVINTA ESSENTIA"., Headings in red, rubricated., and Script: Written by a single scribe using a clear and regular gothic bookhand without strong nationalistic traits.
Johannes, de Rupescissa, ca. 1300-ca. 1365 Křišt̕an z Prachatic, ca. 1366-1439 Wenceslas, Emperor of Germany, 1361-1419
Published / Created:
[ca. 1440]
Call Number:
Mellon MS 9
Image Count:
671
Resource Type:
Archives or Manuscripts
Abstract:
Manuscript on paper of the compilation of a physician interested in medicine, alchemy, and herbs. Includes three texts by Krisean z Prachatic, a physician, herbalist, and teacher of Prague University; Albicus, De regimine sanitatis, a treatise on the treatment of paralysis and the plague; Albicus, Regimen for King Wenceslaus of Bohemia (1361-1419); several alphabets of general scientific terms in Latin with Czech and/or German equivalents; Latin names of herbs with Czech and sometimes Polish equivalents; John of Rupescissa, De consideratione quinte essentie; and hundreds of medical and alchemical recipes.
Description:
Binding: Probably original. Brown calf, the covers ruled with triple parallel lines to a pattern of four rectangles within a rectangle, the larger rectangle crossed with similar ruling; indications of five center and corner pieces on each cover, possibly of iron and certainly fastened with iron nails, now lost; indications of two missing clasps and catches at the fore-edges of the covers; heavily repaired at fore-edges, hinges, and backstrip, the original back divided into four compartments by five heavy double bands, a modern morocco label in the second compartment from the top gold-stamped between double gold rules top and bottom: "ALCHEMICAL-MEDICAL | MISCELLANY | - | MANUSCRIPT | MIDDLE EUROPE | XVTH CENTURY"., Headings, foliation, rubrics, and capital strokes in red., Pagination refers to openings, i.e. facing pages., and Script: The greater part of the manuscript (except the unnumbered quires 15-19) written by a single hand in a clear, round, and steady Gothica cursiva. Quires 15-19 written in a similar but more pointed and flowing hand, sometimes more condensed, similarly decorated.