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:
In Latin., Script: Copied by one scribe writing a small Gothico-Humanistica with features close to Gothica Semitextualis Libraria., 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 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.
Subject (Geographic):
Connecticut, New Haven., and Rome
Subject (Name):
Caesar, Julius.
Subject (Topic):
Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval, Manuscripts, Medieval, and History, Military
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
