Manuscript on paper of 1) Cicero, De amicitia. 2) Cicero, Paradoxa Stoicorum
Description:
In Latin., Watermarks: similar in design to Piccard Schere III.918-19., Script: Written in poorly formed humanistic script with some gothic and cursive elements, perhaps by more than one scribe, above top line., Decoration, all of poor quality, executed by several contemporary hands. On f. 1r, black penwork initial with floral design in center, on square pale red-orange ground, outlined in black; large rectangular frame, in black, connects initial to unidentified arms (or a castle [tower?] proper surrounded by vine, in chief azure [with label of cadency of 4 points argent?] with charge [stars or crosses?] argent) in lower margin. On f. 26r, angular scroll, green with pale red and orange trim, unfurls to form the letter A, 5-line, with an arrow shot through the two shafts to serve as crossbar; green foliage sprouting above. Initials, 5- to 2-line, of similar scroll design for each paradoxon. Rubric on f. 1r in a different hand from those in rest of manuscript. Many elegant pointing hands with fancy cuffs in margins., and Binding: Nineteenth century, Italy. Quarter bound in vellum with blue, red, and yellow woodblock paste-paper sides. Traces of inscription on fore-edge (contemporary?) and on vellum strip.
Subject (Geographic):
Connecticut and New Haven.
Subject (Name):
Cicero, Marcus Tullius.
Subject (Topic):
Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval, Latin essays, Manuscripts, Medieval, and Stoics
Manuscript on parchment of works by Cicero, Plutarch, Petrus Diaconus, Marcus Valerius Probus, Leonardo Bruni, and Plato
Description:
In Latin., Script: Written in humanistic bookhand below the top line by two persons: Scribe 1) ff. 1r-128r and 149r-191v; Scribe 2) ff. 129r-148v and 192r-207v., Initials, 5- to 2-line, ff. 1r, 39v, 71r (space for additional initials on ff. 105v and 149r), gold edged in black with white-vine ornament, against crimson, green and light blue; white-vine extensions in upper and inner margins. On f. 1r a coat of arms in lower margin surrounded by a wreath with a ribbon. 3-, 2-, and 1-line initials in red or blue. Rubrics throughout., Water damage has obliterated several words in the lower left of f. 1r., and Binding: 17th-18th centuries. Brown/red calf, gold-tooled. Paste decorated edges. On spine, stamped in gold but nearly effaced: "Ciceronis et aliorum varia. MSS 1465".
Subject (Geographic):
Connecticut and New Haven.
Subject (Name):
Cicero, Marcus Tullius.
Subject (Topic):
Classical literature, Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval, Manuscripts, Medieval, Philosophy, and Roman law
Manuscript on paper (medium weight, sturdy) of 1) Aristotle, De anima. Followed by a Latin translation of Aristotle's De anima, sometimes ascribed to William of Moerbeke. 2) Simplicius, In Aristotelis De anima libros Commentarius. 3) Paraphrasis of art. 1. 4) Plotinus, Enneades I.1-8.6 line 27. 5) Aristotle, De interpretatione
Description:
In Greek and Latin., Watermarks on f. ii similar to Briquet Main 10713; ff. 1-48 similar to Harlfinger Homme 21; f. 49 similar to Briquet Ancre 428; ff. 51-67 similar to Briquet Chapeau 3384; ff. 69-80 similar to Briquet Balance 2506; ff. 81-96 similar to Briquet Lettre R 8938., Script: The manuscript is divided into 4 parts, which do not correspond precisely with the divisions of the text. Part I (ff. 1r-50v): Written in small, neat Greek minuscule. The parallel Latin translation (ff. 1r-9v only) is in italic, about the same size as the Greek; probably added later, since it is written around some marginal rubrics for the Greek text. Part II (ff. 51r-67r): Written in a rather large Greek minuscule, with a thick pen which ran out of ink every few words; marginal and interlinear notes much smaller, but possibly by same hand. Part III (ff. 67v-80r): Greek minuscule very similar to that in Part I. Part IV (ff. 81r-96v): Same scribe as Part II; signed on f. 96v: George, son of Constantine., Part I: Space for a 5-line initial at the beginning of the Greek text was not filled; 2-line initials in red at beginning of sections; headings in red, also marks in margin for chapters. Part II: Spaces for initials, 7-line or larger, were not filled in, but two initials similar to those in Part IV were sketched in (ff. 51r and 56r). Part III: Spaces for 8-line initials not filled. Part IV: 7-line initials in black and orange-tinted red; stylized leaves and vines, with a bird on f. 83v. Diagrams in red traced over black., and Binding: Nineteenth century. Tan calf case deeply indented and gold- and blind-tooled. Similar to the bindings of MSS 255 and 256 and probably by the same binder. According to A. R. A. Hobson the binder may be Whitaker.
Subject (Geographic):
Connecticut and New Haven.
Subject (Name):
Aristotle.
Subject (Topic):
Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval, Manuscripts, Medieval, and Scholia
Manuscript on parchment (monastic, furry) of Josephus, De bello Judaico, translated into Latin by Hegesippus
Description:
In Latin., Script: Written by a single scribe in elegant French minuscule. Marginalia, including "Nota" marks, by several later hands., Good pen-drawn initial for Book 1 (f. 2v), 12-line, in brown, with vigorous foliage swirls, modelled with fine striations, against a bright, multicolored (green, blue, red, maroon) panelled ground; for the Prologue and Books 2-5 (ff. 2r, 37r, 52r, 67v, and 82v), 7- or 5-line initials, in red, blue, green, and light brown with delicate, stylized foliage (f. 2r: also with two stylized heads). On f. 77v, a marginal drawing in red ink of a man pointing to text with a note (13th century) in brown ink "Nota de iniquo Symone.". Rubrics throughout., and Binding: Eighteenth century. Edges gilt. Green goatskin gold-tooled, with a brick-red label.
Subject (Geographic):
Connecticut and New Haven.
Subject (Name):
Josephus, Flavius.
Subject (Topic):
Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval, Jews, History, and Manuscripts, Medieval
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 Leonardo Bruni, De bello italico adversus gothos, in the Italian version by Ludovico Petroni made in 1456. Preceded by the letter of Leonardo Bruni to Giuliano Cardinal Cesarini (1398-1444).
Description:
In Italian., Script: Written by a single scribe in fere-gothic script, above top line., Partial border in inner margin of white vine-stem ornament, f. 1r, on blue, green and pink ground with white and blue dots. In lower border terminals extending in ink hair spray with green, pink and blue flowers and gold balls frame central medallion with a crude outline drawing of a head in profile (later addition?). Two decorated initials, 4- to 3-line, gold on blue, pink and green grounds with white vine-stem ornament. On f. 1r initial joined to partial border. Heading on f. 1r in red., and Binding: 18th-19th centuries, Italy. "Alla rustica" with grey-green paper added over the spine and part of the boards. Edges yellow.
Subject (Geographic):
Connecticut, New Haven., and Rome
Subject (Name):
Bruni, Leonardo, 1369-1444. and Cesarini, Giuliano, Cardinal, 1398-1444.
Subject (Topic):
Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval, Italian literature, Literature, Medieval, Manuscripts, Medieval, and History
Manuscript on parchment of Josephus, De bello iudaico, translated into Latin by Rufinus
Alternative Title:
De bello Judaico
Description:
In Latin., Written in bold and elegant early gothic bookhand; some looped flourishes in upper margins contain red dots., Seven initials, 17- to 10-line, in red, filled with red swirling foliage on orange and green grounds, with touches of blue, against irregular grounds of blue and/or orange panels. 6- to 2-line initials, green and/or red with red or green foliate flourishes, set both outside and into text column; initials sometimes incorporate simple facial features. 1-line red initials for rubrics. Rubrics throughout; remains of notes to rubricator., and Binding: Nineteenth century. Brown goatskin, blind-tooled.
Subject (Geographic):
Connecticut and New Haven.
Subject (Name):
Josephus, Flavius.
Subject (Topic):
Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval, Jews, History, Latin literature, Medieval and modern, and Manuscripts, Medieval
Manuscript on paper of Nicolaus Cusanus, De Beryllo. The Beinecke manuscript is the oldest witness to this text
Description:
In Latin., Watermarks: similar to Briquet Fleur 6651 (a. 1452, not 1552 as printed)., Script: Written in fere-humanistic script by one scribe., Two illuminated initials, one on f. 1v, 11-line, with the arms of Nicolaus Cusanus, mauve, green, blue, and gold acanthus with yellow and white highlights, against a square gold ground, edged with brown pen; foliate serifs with extensive penwork and gold dots fill outer margin. The second initial, f. 1r, 7-line, as above, with short penwork extensions and silver dots; body of the initial incorporates the lens (beryllus). Diagrams to complement text in margins., and Binding: 16th-17th centuries (?). Sewn on three small, tawed skin, slit strap supports laced into made boards. The head edge is spattered green. Covered in light brown goatskin with corner tongues. Four fastenings of suede-like ribbons. Blind-tooled with concentric frames, the center filled in with a floral design, dotted with ring punches. All but one of the fastenings wanting.
Subject (Geographic):
Connecticut and New Haven.
Subject (Name):
Nicholas, of Cusa, Cardinal, 1401-1464.
Subject (Topic):
Knowledge, Theory of., Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval, Manuscripts, Medieval, and Philosophy, Medieval
Dionysius, the Areopagite, Saint, active 1st century
Published / Created:
[between 1600 and 1610]
Call Number:
Beinecke MS 260
Image Count:
14
Resource Type:
unspecified
Abstract:
Manuscript on paper (variety of watermarks) of Part I: Dionysius the Areopagite, De caelesti hierarchia with the Paraphrasis of George Pachymeres. Part II: Dionysius the Areopagite, De divinis nominibus I.1-II.9, with Paraphrasis of George Pachymeres. Part III: Nicetas of Serres, Commentarius in Gregorii Nazianzeni orationes. Part IV: Theophanes Cerameus, Homiliae (text of 13 sermons). Part V: Andrew of Crete, Encomium in Martyres X. Part VI: Nicephorus Blemmydes, De anima. Part VII: Dionysius of Halicarnassus, De compositione verborum, extract (ch. 14-15).
Description:
In Greek., Script: The codex is composed of several small manuscripts and booklets, each copied by a different scribe but all written in similar styles of minuscule, that were originally bound together in the 17th century shortly after being copied., Part I: Carefully executed woven headpieces in black and red on ff. 1r and 7r; beginning of each portion of the text marked by large initial in red, accompanied by flowers outlined in red and filled with pale yellow. Rubrics stop on f. 22v. Part II: Crude headpiece (in imitation of that on f. 7r?) occurs on f. 100r. Large painted initials, in red, with vine-leaf appendages, mark sections of the text. Part III: Delicate floral headpiece on f. 138r: each flower is outlined in red and painted with pale grey and red washes; details added in black. More modest headpiece in similar style, but painted with yellow, occurs on f. 148v; intricate initials in same colors on ff. 138v and 148v. Part IV: Simple woven headpieces, in red, on ff. 266r and 269r. Initials with floral motifs accompany rubricated titles for each sermon; decoration is incomplete (stops on f. 320r). Part V: One initial, in black, occurs at the beginning of the text (f. 330r). Part VII: Small decorative initial and heading, in red, at the beginning of the work., and Binding: 18th-19th centuries. Rigid vellum, rebacked.
Subject (Geographic):
Connecticut and New Haven.
Subject (Name):
Dionysius, the Areopagite, Saint, active 1st century.
Subject (Topic):
Christian martyrs, Cosmology, Ancient, Fathers of the church, Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval, Manuscripts, Medieval, Scholia, Sermons, and Theology
Manuscript on parchment (trimmed) of Augustine, De civitate Dei, translated into French by Raoul de Presles. Composed of 4 volumes, originally bound as 2.
Description:
In French., Script: Written in an informal batarde by one scribe who also added proper names in the margins., The miniatures are dry and unoriginal copies of rather average quality. One large 2-column miniature of the Two Cities at the beginning of Bk. 1 (f. 5r) in a thin gold frame; on 3 sides a bar-border with pink, orange, and blue plant scrolls on a gold ground, surrounded by a full border of dense ivy in pink, red, orange, blue, and gold, with white highlights; interspersed with gold balls with hairsprays. Before the Prologue and all the remaining books, miniatures, 19- to 18-line (vols. 1-2) or 16- to 15-line (vols. 3-4), in thin frames, pink and blue, with white highlights, set within a gold band, with 3/4 bar borders in red, blue, and gold, highlighted in white, and a full ivy border, as described above (no orange)., Beneath each miniature there is a large initial, 7- to 5-line, blue or pink with scrolls and geometric forms in white highlighting, on blue or pink grounds respectively, set within thin gold frames, or blue and/or pink on a gold ground; both types filled with red and/or blue ivy scrolls with white highlights (in one case, v. 4, f. 74r, there is also a dragon terminal). Initials, 3- to 2-line, at the head of each chapter, gold edged in black, on pink and blue grounds with white highlights. Paragraph marks and book numbers, top center of each folio, recto and verso (which in v. 4, ff. 152r-54r read XXII instead of XXI) in the same manner. Ribbon line-fillers (in v. 3-4 only) red and blue, with gold dots or lozenges and white highlights, edged in black. Chapter headings and numeration in red (orange occasionally)., There are some stains, abrasions, and irregularities in the parchment throughout; none obscure text or miniatures., and Binding: Nineteenth century. Marbled and gilt edges. Blue goatskin heavily gold-tooled. Bound for Count Justin MacCarthy-Reagh. Spines mislabelled: II labelled IV, III labelled II, IV labelled III, I labelled correctly.
Subject (Geographic):
Connecticut and New Haven.
Subject (Name):
Augustine, of Hippo, Saint, 354-430.
Subject (Topic):
Fathers of the church, French literature, Illumination of books and manuscripts, Medieval, Literature, Medieval, and Manuscripts, Medieval
