Manuscript on parchment of Marcus Annaeus Lucanus (39-65), De bello civili (Pharsalia).
Description:
In Latin., 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., 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., and 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with the same design; in the middle an oblong cartouche; on the front board part of the damaged original cover has been replaced by brown leather blind-tooled with a different interlace design.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?).
Subject (Geographic):
Connecticut, New Haven., and Rome
Subject (Name):
Lucan, 39-65.
Subject (Topic):
Historical poetry, Latin, Epic poetry, Latin, Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval, Manuscripts, Medieval, and History
Manuscript on parchment of Julius Caesar, Commentarii de Bello Gallico; Commentarii de Bello Civili; De Bello Alexandrino; De Bello Africo; and De Bello Hispaniensis
Description:
In Latin., Script: Written by a single scribe in a small elegant humanistic bookhand., Fine initials, gold capitals, 9- to 5- line, edged in yellow, filled with white-vine ornament, on blue, green, and red ground, decorated with yellow dots. Headings in red., and Binding: Fifteenth century. Wound sewing on four slit straps. Colored beaded endbands sewn onto cores of tawed skin laced and nailed into wooden boards. All edges gilt. The sewing straps are laced through tunnels in the edges of the boards and nailed in channels on the outside, protruding well above the face. Covered in dark brown goatskin, blind-tooled with an eight-pointed star and corners filled in with rope-tool interlace interspersed with copper-colored dots, in a border of rectangular tools. Four catches on the lower board and stubs of red cloth (velvet?) straps lined with parchment held to the upper with star headed nails
Subject (Geographic):
Connecticut, New Haven., and Rome
Subject (Name):
Caesar, Julius.
Subject (Topic):
Latin prose literature, Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval, Manuscripts, Medieval, and History
Manuscript on paper of Lucan, Pharsalia. With commentary, verse summary, and verse argumenta of each book
Description:
In Latin., Watermarks: unidentified bull's head concealed by script., Script: Written by a single scribe in well spaced gothic bookhand, above top line. Marginalia in several contemporary hands., Crudely executed penwork initials in red, f. 1r only; spaces for decorative initials at beginning of each book have sketches in brown ink (contemporary?) or are left unfilled. Headings in red. Some guide letters for decorator., and Binding: Fifteenth century, Italy. Vellum stays in and outside the quires. Original sewing on three tawed skin, slit straps which are laced through tunnels in the edges of wooden boards to channels on the outside and pegged. Plain, wound endbands are sewn on tawed skin cores laced or laid in grooves on the outside of the boards. Quarter bound with brown leather, probably a later addition, as perhaps are the clasp straps. Two leaf-shaped catches and inscription in ink on the lower board: "Lucanus [?]". Front pastedown and flyleaf from a lectionary (Italy, 1050-1100); back flyleaf and pastedown from a homiliary (Northern Italy, 950-1000); on the pastedown, a homily on submission to the will of God, probably a continuation of the same text as on the flyleaf.
Subject (Geographic):
Connecticut, New Haven., and Rome
Subject (Name):
Lucan, 39-65.
Subject (Topic):
Epic poetry, Latin, Manuscripts, Medieval, Scholia, and History