4.3.6. Italian and Humanistic book scripts
Italian rotunda Gothic book script with pecia mark
- MS 4596 Italy, 2nd half 13th c.
- MS 1978 Italy and Hungary, early 14th c.
- MS 647 Italy, ca. 1470
Italian rotunda Gothic book script with pecia mark
GREGORIUS 9: DECRETALS, BOOK I, COMMENTARY BY BERNARD OF PARMA (BERNARDUS BOTTONIUS)
MS in Latin on vellum, Bologna, Italy, 2nd half of 13th c., 2 ff., 42x29 cm, 2 columns, (33x21 cm), 77 lines in a rotunda Gothic book script of medium quality, pecia mark in the right margin of f. 2.
Context: Gregorius 9: Decretals is further represented in the Schøyen Collection: MS 218, Book 3, 1 f., late 13th c.; MS 1978, Book 3, 1 f., early 14th c.; MS 2084, Book 1-5, 252 ff. (-ca. 7), 3 quarter of 13th c.; MS 4596, Book 1, 2 ff., 2nd half of 13th c.
Provenance: 1. Bernard Quaritch Ltd., London.
Commentary: From a MS copied by the pecia system. The characteristic
mark faintly written in the margin records the end of the third "piece" of the
master exemplar: Fi[nis] iii pec[iae].
In Paris and Bologna the pecia
system was operated by booksellers or university stationers who owned copies
of the textbooks required in the curriculum. These MSS were divided into
pieces, usually the quires, each numbered separately, and was rented out for
copying.
No doubt there are pecia marks that have gone unnoticed in
surviving MSS, nevertheless they are of utmost rarity. No others are known in
private hands.
GREGORY 9: DECRETALS, OPENING OF BOOK III: DE VITA ET HONESTATE CLERICORUM
MS in Latin on vellum, Bologna?, Italy and Hungary (illumination), early 14th c., 1 f., 50x32 cm, text: 2 columns (20x14 cm), 41 lines, gloss: 2 columns (35x22-24 cm), 91-94 lines, gloss to Gloss: 4 columns (40x31 cm), in Bolognese Gothic book script of medium grade and quality, 19 2-line initials in red or blue with contrasting penwork, one 2-line and one 9-line illuminated initial U, 2 large miniatures of a priest in full robes raising the Host, and an acolyte pulling the bell-rope, both in full colours and gold within an elaborate arabesque border of repeating rosettes in multicoloured compartments.
Context: Gregorius 9: Decretals is further represented in the Schøyen Collection: MS 218, Book 3, 1 f., late 13th c.; MS 1978, Book 3, 1 f., early 14th c.; MS 2084, Book 1-5, 252 ff. (-ca. 7), 3 quarter of 13th c.; MS 4596, Book 1, 2 ff., 2nd half of 13th c.
Provenance: 1. Dr. Athur Simony; 2. Dr. Rosy Schilling; 3. Sotheby's 5.12.1994:37.
Commentary: Lawbooks were frequently written in Italy, then exported mainly to France, and sometimes to England, and illuminated there. Export to and illumination in Hungary was most unusual.
SENECA: EPISTOLAE MORALES AD LUCILIUM, 112:3 - 113:9
MS in Latin on vellum, Italy, ca. 1470, 1 f., 29x21 cm, single column, (21x13 cm), 28 lines in an extremely fine humanistic book script, illuminated initial D, in white-vine style in pink, blue, green and yellow.
Context: Another leaf from the same MS, see Quaritch Cat. 1088(1988):89.
For a complete Epistolae, see MS 2106.
Provenance: 1. Bernard Quaritch Ltd., Cat. 1147(1991):116.