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24. Various smaller collections (2)

24.10. Miracles and lives of Saints

24.11. Peerage genealogies

24.12. Roman military diplomas

24.13. Ships, shipbuilding and seamanship

24.14. Slavery

24.15. Weight and measures

24.16. Wine and beer

24.17. Literature by female authors

24.18. Various texts



24.10. Miracles and lives of Saints

MS 245/27

LIFE AND MARTYRDOM OF A SAINT

ms245/27

MS in Fayumic on papyrus, Fayum, Egypt, 10th c., 10 substantial partial ff., up to 18x20 cm, originally 30-32x24 cm, 70 smaller parts (from 5x5 to 10x10 cm mostly), and 35 fragments, 2 columns, originally ca. 20-22 lines in a beautiful square heavy Coptic uncial.

Binding: Egypt, 10th c., fragments of papyrus cartonnage with a sewing thread and a piece of canvas, 19x5 cm, with parts of original black leather and dried glue still sticking to it, coming from the original cover.

Context: This MS is from a codex of considerably more than 26 ff. The collection of the renowned papyrologist Prof. Atiyah consisted of more than 677 papyri, mainly originating in Middle Egypt, including Oxyrhynchus and Fayum. The first part of 140 papyri (H.P. Kraus ca. 105(1961)), is now in Yale, Beinecke Library, while 242 Greek papyri is MS 244 and 295 Coptic papyri is MS 245 in The Schøyen Collection, see also MS 108.

Provenance: 1. Monastery of St. Kosmas, Egypt; 2. Aziz Suryal Atiyah, Utah (-ca. 1960); 3. H.P. Kraus Cat. 126(1971):108.

Commentary: The letters are comparable to the writing in the "Elogium of Pisentius" in the Vatican Library, dated to 918.

See also MS 192, Lives of 38 saints, Constantinople, 11th c.

See also MS 590/48, Official account of a miracle, Germany, 1332




MS 2258

1. PROLOGUE AND INTRODUCTION TO THE FIRST SET OF MIRACLES OF TÄKLÄ HAYMANOT
2. MIRACLES OF TÄKLÄ HAYMANOT, NUMBERED 1-22, TO BE READ ON THE 24TH OF TAHSAS, THE FEAST OF HIS BIRTH
3. PROLOGUE TO THE PASSION OF FILEPP'OS
4. PASSION OF FILEPP'OS, TO BE READ ON THE 23 OF MÄGGABIT
5. PROLOGUE AND INTRODUCTION TO THE SECOND SET OF MIRACLES OF TÄKLÄ HAYMANOT
6. MIRACLES OF TÄKLÄ HAYMANOT, NUMBERED 1-22, TO BE READ ON THE 24TH OF MÄGGABIT, THE FEAST OF HIS CONCEPTION
7. PROLOGUE AND INTRODUCTION TO THE THIRD SET OF MIRACLES OF TÄKLÄ HAYMANOT
8. MIRACLES OF TÄKLÄ HAYMANOT, NUMBERED 1-22, TO BE READ ON THE 12TH OF GENBOT, THE FEAST OF HIS DEATH
9. FERE QEDDUS: PROLOGUE TO THE LIFE OF MÄRHA KRESTOS
10. FERE QEDDUS: LIFE OF MÄRHA KRESTOS
11. FERE QEDDUS: PROLOGUE AND INTRODUCTION TO THE MIRACLES OF MÄRHA KRESTOS
12. FERE QEDDUS: MIRACLES OF MÄRHA KRESTOS, NUMBERED 1-22, TO BE READ ON THE 10TH OF MÄGGABIT, THE ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH
13. FERE QEDDUS: COLOPHON
ms2258

MS in Ge'ez on vellum, Monastery of Däbrä Libanos, Shoa, Ethiopia, 1497-1508, 176 ff. (complete), 28x23 cm, 2 columns, (21x18 cm), 23 lines in Ethiopic Ge'ez book script by Fere Qeddus commissioned by Abbot Petros, 6 full-page ornamental headpieces (haräg) in full colours, framing the major text divisions.

Binding: Monastery of Däbrä Libanos, Shoa, Ethiopia, 1497-1508, plain wooden boards, chain stitches on 5 sewing stations.

Provenance: 1. Monastery of Däbrä Libanos, Shoa (ca. 1500-); 2. Wälättä Ab of Emmäyät Sheffen (18th c.); 3. Monastery of Däbrä Libanos, Shoa (18th c.); 4. A'edäwä Krestor, his wife Maryamiwit, and his son Qerellos (18th c.); 5. Sam Fogg Rare Books Ltd., London.

Commentary: Däbrä Libanos (Däbrä Asbo) lies about 100 km north of Addis Ababa and formed the nucleus of the evangelization of what is now central Ethiopia during the 13th and 14th c. It is the premier monastery of Ethiopia, and its abbot is ranked second in the hierarchy of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church after the Patriarch of Ethiopia. Täklä Haymanot (ca. 1215-1313) founded the community of Däbrä Libanos, and is Ehtiopia's most famous indigenous saint.

Texts 3-4: Filepp'os was the second abbot (1313-1341) of Däbrä Libanos (Däbrä Asbo). Text 9-12: Märha Krestos (1408-1497), also known as Yemrehannä Krestos, Yemreha Krestos, or Märhennä Krestos, was the 9th abbot of Däbrä Libanos. The present MS was commissioned by Abunä Petros who succeeded Märha Krestos. Colophon: This is the composition of Fere Qeddus, son of Märha Krestos, in which he wrote how our father Täklä Haymanot was conceived and how he was born, and how Abba Marqos the Bishop and Na'od the King transferred his bones in a golden casket. And secondly, he wrote of the Passion of our father Filepp'os, and also the Life of our father Märha Krestos, and how he performed miracles and wonders. This book Fere Qeddus gave to the tomb of our father Täklä Haymanot. Followed by a curse against anyone who steals or damages the MS.

Exhibited: L'Arche éthiopienne, art chrétien d'Éthiopie, Pavillon des Arts, Paris, 27 Sep. 2000 - 7 Janvier 2001 & Fundacio Caixa de Girona, Spain, 23 Jan. - 31 March 2001.




MS 2074

1. MIRACLES OF ZÄR'A BURUK, 42 MIRACLES
2. MIRACLES OF ZÄR'A BURUK, 6 MIRACLES
3. HISTORY OF ABBA BULA ABIB
4. LITURGICAL UNIDENTIFIED TEXT
5. MIRACLES OF MARY, 9 MIRACLES
ms2074

MS in Ge'ez on vellum, Ethiopia, 1754 (text 1), 1732, 155 ff. (complete), 38x32 cm, 2 columns, (27x26 cm), 20 lines in Ethiopic Gwelh by 2 scribes, opening lines and section headings in red, 44 quarter- to half-page and 3 full-page paintings.

Binding: Ethiopia, 18th c., tooled leather binding over wooden boards with brocade panels on the inside, chain stitches on 4 sewing stations.

Provenance: 1. Wäldä Yohannes & Fesseha Giyorgis (18th c.); 2. Fesseha S'eyon; 3. Wäldä Kiros and his wife Aqlésya; 4. Mälke'a Maryam & Amätä Egziabehér; 5. Sam Fogg Rare Books Ltd, London.

Commentary: Zär'a Buruk was a late 17th c. Ethiopian monk who founded a religious party, an offshoot of the followers of Ewost'atéwos, which became, along with the latter and the Täklä Haymanot party, the third of the great religious factions of early 18th c. Ethiopia. There are not many collections of the Miracles of Zär'a Buruk known outside Ethiopia. Colophon at the end of text 1 stating that the text was completed: 24th year of Iyasu on Thursday, the ninth day of Nähasé (14 August 1754). Text 2 has an opening formula stating that the writing started: the second year and second month of the reign of our king Iyasu, called Berhan Sägäd on the twelfth day of the month of Tahsas on the feast of St. Michael (19 December 1732).



MS 1658/3

1. BEATHA BHARRÆ Ó CHORCAIGH (LIFE OF ST. FINBARR). AFTER A COPY BY BR. MICHAEL O'CLERY
2. THE LIFE OF SAINT FINBARR OF CORK. TRANSLATED BY PATRICK STANTON
ms1658_3

MS in Irish Gaelic (text 1) and English (text 2) on paper, Cork, Ireland, April 1893, 62 ff. incl. 33 blanks (complete), 21x16 cm, single column, (16x11 cm) 19-20 lines in a fine Irish minuscule (text 1) and English cursive (text 2 and introduction), by Pádraic Stúndún (Patrick Stanton), penwork initials, lined borders, 3 decorated borders, 1 in sepia and red, signed 4 times by the scribe.

Binding: Cork, Ireland, ca. 1893, brown cloth, sewn on 4 cords.

Context: Patrick Stanton made 20 other such copies for Fr P. Hurle, Inchigeela, including 2 copies in Killiney, Franciscan Library, MSS A 42 and A 44, and 2 copies in National Library of Ireland, MSS G385 and G417. There are 3 copies of this text by Patrick Stanton in The Schøyen Collection: MS 1735/1 (Feb. 1893), MS 1658/3 (April 1893), and MS 1735/2 (March 1895). Patrick Stanton was the scribe of MSS 1658/1-3 and 1735/1-2. At least 11 other MSS from his hand survive in Dublin, Cork and Fermoy in Ireland.

Provenance: 1. Library of St. Peter's Phibsboro, Dublin; 2. Dan Nolan, Tralee, Cork (-1989); 3. Mealy's 19.5.1993:50; 4. Cathach Books, Dublin.

Commentary: From the introduction: The following Life of Saint Finbarr was obtained by the Rev. P. Hurley, P.P. of Inchigeela, photographed by him from a vellum manuscript, the Lives of the Irish Saints, in the Burgundian Library at Brussels. The MS was written by Bro. Michael O'Clery, Chief of the Four Masters, who states that he wrote it in the Friars' Convent at Cork in June 1629, and that he took it from a vellum book, the property of Daniel Dinneen.




24.11. Peerage genealogies

MS 556

1. BARONIES BY WRIT AND PRECEDENTS TO ESTABLISH THE CLAIM OF SIR THOMAS FANE OF KENT TO THE BARONY OF ABERGAVENNY, WALES 1392-1589
2. EXTINCT BARONAGE OF ENGLAND AND WALES FROM KING STEPHEN TO HENRY VI
3. AN HISTORICAL ACCOUNT OF THE VARIOUS EARLS AND BARONS FROM WILLIAM I TO JAMES I, PRECEDED BY A RENDERING OF THE ARMS OF THE KINGS OF THE BRITONS AND THE ROMANS
ms556

MS in English on paper, England, ca. 1589-1600, 203 ff. (complete), 31x21 cm, single column, (27x16 cm), up to 42 lines in English secretary documentary script, ca. 500 coats of arms tricked in and painted in water colours of high quality by a herald.

Binding: England, early 19th c., pigskin and marbled boards, sewn on 4 cords.

Provenance: 1. Sir George Nayler, Garter King of Arms; 2. Thorpe, London, 57 (1836); 3. Sir Thomas Phillipps, Cheltenham, Ph 8808 (1836-1872); 4. Katharine, John, Thomas & Alan Fenwick, Cheltenham, (1872-1946); 5. Robinson Bros., London (1946-1978); 6. Kraus cat. 157(1980):157.

Commentary: Text 1 is the original treatise. All 3 texts are unpublished.



MS 557

BYRON FAMILY, GENEALOGICAL ROLL, FROM RADULPHUS BURON, MENTIONED IN THE DOMESDAY BOOK, 1086, TO JOHN FIRST BARON BYRON, 1626

ms557

MS in English on vellum, England, 1627, 1 roll of 8 membranes (complete), 76x530 cm, in Roman and Italic book script, large, 70x55 cm, ornamental heading within illuminated borders, 68 coats of arms, 5 large miniatures in colours of Byron family tombs.

Binding: England, 19th c., cloth box.

Provenance: 1. John Byron, Baron, England (1627-1652); 2. Admiral John Byron, England (1723-1786); 3. Poet George Byron, Baron (1788-1824); 4. Sir Thomas Phillipps, Cheltenham, Ph 24987 (-1872); 5. Katharine, John, Thomas & Alan Fenwick, Cheltenham, (1872-1946); 6. Robinson Bros., London (1946-1978); 7. Kraus cat. 157(1980):168.

Commentary: It was the aspiration to the peerage of John, first Baron Byron (1599-1652), that motivated the preparation of this sumptuous MS. The poet, Lord Byron, was exceedingly proud of his title and descent. He certainly studied this roll with care, when he succeeded to the title in 1798.



MS 591

BEVILL SKELTON: A CATALOGUE OF THE DUKES, MARQUESES, & EARLES, WITH THEIR ARMES, WIVES AND ISHUE SINCE THE CONQUEST UNTILL THIS PRESENT YEAR 1678

ms591

MS in English on vellum, England, 1678, 154 ff. (complete), 39x31 cm, single column, (37x27 cm), 30-35 lines in sloping cursive and round roman scripts, headings and running titles in large capitals, decorated title-page listing Skelton's honours in imitation of printed type in architectural framing incorporating the arms of Charles II and the authors, 480 emblazoned coats of arms of superb quality, painted in gold, silver and colours with gold coronets.

Binding: England, 1678, red velvet over thick wooden boards, gilt edges, sewn on 5 cords, silver clasps and catches.

Context: The text is either autograph or compiled under the author's supervision. 2 other MSS with similar texts by Skelton are known, sold in the Rosebery sale, Sotheby's 26.06.1933: 1127A & B, the latter sold again by Christie's 9.12.1987.

Provenance: 1. Sir Bevill Skelton, England (1678-1692); 2. James Graham of Stoneybres House, Lanarkshire (19th c.); 3. Robert McTear, Glasgow cat. 27.03.1925: 299; 4. John Forrester (1925); 5. George Napier (1925-1954); 6. Napier sale 12.04.1954:88; 7. Frances Edwards (1954); 8. Bill Wreden, Palo Alto; 9. W.R. Fletcher, London (1963); 10. J.R. Abbey, London, JA 7215 (1963-1989); 11. Sotheby's 19.06.1989:3048; 12. Sam Fogg cat. 12(1989):29.

Commentary: Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Bevill Skelton (d. 1692), Envoy to Vienna and Holland under Charles II, Envoy to Versailles and Lieutenant of the Tower of London under James II, Page of Honour to Charles II at the Restoration. He was a favoured supporter of the Crown, held numerous important diplomatic posts, though rather unsuccessfully, and accompanied James II into exile.




24.12. Roman military diplomas

See also MS 2032, Fleet diploma of Vespasian, Roma, 70


MS 1899

AUXILIARY DIPLOMA GIVEN BY EMPEROR TRAJAN TO THE INFANTRYMAN MARCUS ANTONIUSS ESUMNUS, SON OF MARCUS, FROM V-, AFTER 26 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH THE COHORT I FLAVIA HISPANORUM COMMANDED BY CAIUS MAMMIUS SALUTARIS, UNDER THE CONSULS MARCUS MAECIUS CELER AND GAIUS SERTORIUS BROCCHUS SERVAEUS INNOCENS. COPIED AND CHECKED FROM THE BRONZE TABLET SET UP IN ROMA ON THE WALL BEHIND THE TEMPLE OF AUGUSTUS, NEAR THE STATUE OF MINERVA. WITNESSES: C. TUTICANIUS SATURNINUS, P. LUSCIUS AMANDUS, C. FICTORIUS POLITICUS, TI. CLAUDIUS -, P. MANLIUS -, C. VALERIUS -, AND P. QUIRINIUS POTHUS

ms1899

MS in Latin on bronze, Roma, 101, 2 tabellas, I: 3x4 cm, and II: 13,4x16,5 cm, single column, 6+13 lines remaining in Latin capitals, 2 holes through each tablet for a wire that originally bound the two tablets together, secured with the seals of the 7 witnesses.

Binding: Barking, Essex, 1995, red cloth gilt folding case, by Aquarius.

Context: There are 3 praetorian diplomas (MSS 1801, 1870, 2051/7) in The Schøyen Collection, further 11 auxiliary diplomas (MSS 1836, 1899, 2051/1-6, 2051/8, 2052, 2086), and 3 fleet diplomas (MSS 698, 1921, 2032).

Provenance: 1. Marcus Antonius Esumnus, Serbia? (101 until his death); 2. Found at Ranovac, Serbia (ca. 1986); 3. Antiquity dealer, München (ca. 1990); 4. Sotheby's 7.7.1994:437.

Commentary: The present diploma gives Marcus Antonius Esumnus an honourable discharge from the army of Emperor Trajan, Roman citizenship for himself and his descendants, and the right of legal marriage. The present MS contains the unusual information, of both year, place and the exemplar copied. The exemplar, the bronze tablet set in the wall on Forum Romanum, in fact, still survives in fragments.

Published: Margaret M. Roxan: Roman Military Diplomas, 1985-1993, (III), no. 143.



MS 1836

AUXILIARY DIPLOMA GIVEN BY EMPEROR HADRIAN TO ULPIUS VALENS AFTER 26 YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE AUXILIA I ULPIA CONTARIORUM IN PANNOIA SUPERIOR COMMANDED BY QUINTUS PLANIUS SARDUS, UNDER THE CONSULS LUCIUS CUSPIUS CAMERINUS AND CAIUS SAENIUS SEVERUS. COPIED AND CHECKED FROM THE BRONZE TABLET SET UP IN ROMA ON THE WALL BEHIND THE TEMPLE OF AUGUSTUS NEAR THE STATUE OF MINERVA

ms1836

MS in Latin on bronze, Roma, 1 July 126, tabella I, 14,5x12,1 cm, single column, 26+15 lines in Latin capitals, 2 holes through the tablet for a wire that originally bound the two tablets together, secured with the seals of the 7 witnesses.

Binding: Barking, Essex, 1995, red cloth gilt folding case, by Aquarius.

Context: There are 3 praetorian diplomas (MSS 1801, 1870, 2051/7) in The Schøyen Collection, further 11 auxiliary diplomas (MSS 1836, 1899, 2051/1-6, 2051/8, 2052, 2086), and 3 fleet diplomas (MSS 698, 1921, 2032).

Provenance: 1. Ulpius Valens (126 until his death); 2. Found in Bulgaria or Hungary; 3. Axel Weber, Köln; 4. Bernard Quaritch Ltd., London.

Commentary: The present diploma gives Ulpius Valens an honourable discharge from the army of Emperor Hadrian, Roman citizenship for himself and his descendants, and the right of legal marriage. The present MS contains the unusual information, of both date, place and the exemplar copied. The exemplar, the bronze tablet set in the wall on Forum Romanum, in fact, still survives in fragments.

Published: R. Frei-Stolba and M.A. Speidel, eds.: Römische Inschriften - Neufunde, Neulesungen und Neuinterpretationen. Festschrieft für Hans Lieb, 2.: Werner Eck & Margaret M. Roxan: Two new Military Diplomas, pp. 55-79.
Margaret M. Roxan & Paul Holder: Roman Military Diplomas, IV. Institute of Classical studies. London, 2003. no 236, pp. 463-464.

See also MS 698, Fleet diploma of Antoninus Pius, Roma, 139



MS 1921

FLEET DIPLOMA GIVEN BY EMPEROR ANTONINUS PIUS TO THE VETERAN SAILOR L. PETRONIO EPTAEZENI F. EPTAETRALI, OF NICOPOLIS AD BESSIA AFTER 26 YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE PRAETORIAN FLEET OF MISENUM UNDER THE COMMAND OF VALERIUS PAETUS, UNDER THE CONSULS AUG. M. CORNELIO FRONTO, AND L. LABERIO PRISCO. COPIED AND CHECKED FROM THE BRONZE TABLET SET UP IN ROMA ON THE WALL BEHIND THE TEMPLE OF AUGUSTUS NEAR THE STATUE OF MINERVA. WITNESSES: TIBERIUS CLAUDIUS MENANDER, PUBLIUS ATTIUS SEVERUS, LUCIUS PULLIUS DAPHNUS, PUBLIUS ATTIUS FESTUS, M. SENTILIUS JASUS, TIBERIUS JULIUS FELIX, GAIUS JULIUS SILVANUS

ms1921

MS in Latin on bronze, Roma, 1 Aug. 143, 2 tabellas (complete), 16x13 cm, 2 columns, 17+30 lines in Latin capitals, with triple framing lines on the outer face of both tablets, 2 holes through each tablet for a wire that originally bound the two tablets together, secured with the seals of the 7 witnesses.

Binding: Barking, Essex, 1994, red cloth gilt folding case, by Aquarius.

ms1921b

Context: There are 3 praetorian diplomas (MSS 1801, 1870, 2051/7) in The Schøyen Collection, further 11 auxiliary diplomas (MSS 1836, 1899, 2051/1-6, 2051/8, 2052, 2086), and 3 fleet diplomas (MSS 698, 1921, 2032). 6 of the 7 witnesses on the present diploma also signed 698.

Provenance: 1. L. Petronio Eptaezeni f. Eptaetrali, Nicopolis ad Bessia (143 until his death); 2. Found in Bulgaria; 3. Axel Weber, Köln (1992); 4. Bernard Quaritch Ltd., London.

Commentary: The present diploma gives L. Petronio Eptaezeni f. Eptaetrali an honourable discharge from the navy of Emperor Antoninus Pius, Roman citizenship for himself and his descendants, and the right of legal marriage. The present MS contains the unusual information, of both year, place and the exemplar copied. The exemplar, the bronze tablet set in the wall on Forum Romanum, in fact, still survives in fragments.

Published: R. Frei-Stolba and M.A. Speidel, eds.: Römische Inschriften - Neufunde, Neulesungen und Neuinterpretationen. Festschrieft für Hans Lieb, 2.: Werner Eck & Margaret M. Roxan: Two new Military Diplomas, pp. 79-99.
Margaret M. Roxan & Paul Holder: Roman Military Diplomas, IV. Institute of Classical studies. London, 2003. no 264, pp. 505-506.

See also MS 2052, Auxiliary diploma of Marcus Aurelius, Roma, 178

See also MS 1870, Praetorian diploma of Philip the Arab, Roma, 246




24.13. Ships, shipbuilding and seamanship

See also MS 2787, Protohieroglyph of ship and oar, Egypt, 3500-3100 BC






MS 1947/10

DELIVERY OF WOODEN PARTS FOR BOATS, MENTIONING THE BARGE OF LUGAL-BANGAR FROM THE OLD SHIPYARD, DATED MONTH SHU-NUMUN, THE YEAR BITUM RABITUM WAS DESTROYED

ms1947_10

MS in Neo Sumerian on clay, Umma, Sumer, 7th regnal year of King Amar-Sin, 2040 BC, 1 tablet, 3,2x3,1x1,4 cm, single column, 9 lines in cuneiform script.

Context: MSS 1947/09 and 1947/10 are both about wooden parts of ships.

Commentary: Wood was a rare and expensive commodity in Sumer and had to be imported, usually on ships arriving at the ports at Uruk and Ur. These objects were masts, steering-oars, etc. needed for repairs of the reed-boats, the river barges as in this case, or the seagoing ma-gur.




MS 2820

LEXICAL LIST OF BOATS; SCHOOL TEXT

ms2820


MS in Neo Sumerian on clay, Babylonia, 2000-1700 BC, 1 tablet, diam. 8,0x2,2 cm, single column, 3 lines in cuneiform script.

Commentary: The 3 types of boats mentioned, have not yet been identified.






MS 5235

ROYAL INSCRIPTION OF ITTOBAAL IV ON A MALACHITE MODEL BIREME: - HE HAS BLESSED TYRE, AND HE SAVED THE SIDONIANS FROM THE HEAVY CLOUDS OF SORROWS, THAT TERRIFIED ITTOBAAL, SON OF KING HIERON, KING OF TYRE -

ms5235

MS in Phoenician on malachite, Lebanon, ca. 539-532 BC, 1 bow part of a Bireme, 16,0x9,3x5,0 cm (originally ca. 50x9x5 cm), 1 line in Phoenician script along all of port side, with holes on top and sides for mast, rigging and oars, and for a metal ram in the waterline in front.

Provenance: 1. Private Collection, Israel and London; 2. Pars Antiques, London

Commentary: The Phoenician war galley Bireme had 2 banks of oars, a single pole mast with a square sail, and 2 steering oars, the main weapon being the heavy pointed ram. The Bireme became the leading warship of the 8th c. BC, being about 25 m. long with a beam of 3 m.
This is an unusually large piece of malachite that was mined in Sinai. The term Sidonians is here used designing the inhabitants of the kingdom of Tyre, as is attested in the Bible, 1 Kings 5:20 and 16:31. Until now 3 kings of Tyre with the name Ittobaal have been known: Ittobaal 1 (ca. 887-856 BC), Ittobaal II (ca. 738 BC), and Ittobaal III (ca. 591-572 BC). The present inscription might, according to André Lemaire, be of a hitherto unattested king, Ittobaal IV, during his joint reign with his father, Hieron III, around 539-532 BC.

Published: André Lemaire: Inscription royale phénicienne sur bateau votif. 2004.

See also MS 2032, Fleet diploma of Vespasian, Roma, 70

See also MS 1921, Fleet diploma of Antoninus Pius, Roma, 143




MS 751

PORTOLAN FOR THE COMMANDER OF A GALLEY IN THE NAVY OF THE ORDER OF SAINT STEPHEN:

ms751
1. REGOLE MESSE IN ESERCITAZIONE NELLE GALERIE DEL GRAN DUCA DI TOSCANA AL TEMPO DEL PRINCIPE DI PIOMBINO ED IL CAPITANE TIRAGALLO; CA. 1650
2. DESCRIPTIONS OF PORTS, COASTLINES IN WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN
3. ISTRUTTIONI DEL FARO DI MESSINA, DELLE CORRENTI ET DE BASSI FONDI
4. PER SAPERE TUTTE LE TERRE, CAPI, PUNTE; LIST
5. CORSE DI NAVIGARE DA UN LUOGO ALL'ALTRO CON LE SUE MIGLIA
6. SEGNI DELLE MUTATIONE DEL ARIA, CITING ROBERTO VALTURIO: DE RE MILITARI, AND AGOSTINO NIFO
7. PER SAPERE DI MESE IN MESE DOVE SI LEVA E VA SOTTO IL SOLE, LA LUNA
8. PER MEMORIA DELLA BUSCA DELLE VELE (TRIMMING THE SAILS)
9. DI ROBBA TROVATA
10. NOTA DELLE COSE NECESSARIE PER ARMARE UNA GALERA; EXPENSES
11. ARMAMENTO DELLE GALERE DI MALTA; WITH RULES FOR BATTLE CONDUCT AND A LIST OF OFFICERS
12. CAPITOLI DA OSSERVARSI INTORNO ALLA NAVIGATIONE; FROM INGHIRAMI CODEX, RULES OF CONDUCT
13. PER PARTE DEL SIGNORE COMENDATORE MARCHESE INGHIERAMI; RULES OF CONDUCT
14. LETTER FROM TADDEO BARBERINI CONCERNING DISPUTES WITHIN THE ORDER, ROMA 29 MAY 1641, 2 COPIES
15. DECREES BY OFFICIALS OF THE ORDER OF SAINT STEPHEN
16. LETTER FROM COMMISSARY GENERAL THOMASO BAGGIO, 21 MARCH 1644, COPY
17. ORDINE CHE S'OSSERVA SOPRA LA CAPITANA ET IN CIASCHEDUNA DELLE GALERIE DI MALTA PER METTER ARME IN COPERTE
18. BANDI CHE SI PUBBLICANO PER LE GALERE QUANDO ENTRA UN NOVO GENERALE DI MALTA
19. TRANSCRIPTS OF DOCUMENTS FROM THOMASO BIAGIO CONCERNING COWARDICE; GENOA 28 JULY AND 5 AUGUST 1643
20. LOG ENTRIES FOR 1635 AND 1637, SOTTO IL COMMANDO DEL PRIOR NARI COL STENDARDO
21. BULL OF POPE URBAN VIII OF 5 SEPTEMBER 1643
22. LOG ENTRIES FOR 1635 AND 1637
23. ACCOUNTS OF CAMPAIGNS IN 1671
24. CONGREGATION OF CARDINALS CONSIDERS A CONFLICT BETWEEN GENOA AND THE KNIGHTS OF MALTA, 14 SEPTEMBER 1694
25. ACCOUNTS OF CAMPAIGNS IN 1664-1668

MS in Italian on paper, Genova, Italy, 1635-1694, 338 pp., 21x14 cm, 2 columns (15x10 cm - 19x14 cm), 16-30 lines in Italian cursive script by several scribes. Binding: Italy, ca. 1700, limp vellum from a bigger volume, sewn on 3 thongs, title in ink on spine.

Context: Texts 12 and 13: The work of Jacopo Inghirami (1581-1623), the 10th and 13th admiral of the Order, exists in an autograph MS in the Inghirami family archive at Volterra. Part have been published by Guarnieri, 1965-1966.

Provenance: 1. Cardinal's archive, Italy, no 66 (17th c.); 2. Frederick North, 5th Earl of Guilford (ca. 1810-1827); 3. R.H. Evans, London 8.12.1830:36/4; 4. Sir Thomas Phillipps, Cheltenham, MS 4983 (1830-1872); 5. Katharine, John, Thomas & Alan Fenwick, Cheltenham (1872-1946); 6. Robinson Bros., London (1946-1978); 7. H.P. Kraus, New York, R482, (1978-1991).

Commentary: In an effort to repopulate a depleted aristocracy, Cosimo II di Medici (1520-1574) created many new nobles and knights, granting feudal privileges of various kinds. Part of this effort was the creation of the Order of Saint Stephen (1562), pledged to make war on the infidel. The knights won distinction in some important naval battles, Penon de Velez 1564, and Lepando 1571.

See also MS 3011/2, The slave ship Captain Blanc, French Guyana, 1790



MS 2308

ms2308

A. BOSTRÖM: LÄROBOK FÖR MINDRE PRACTISERADE SJÖMÄN UTI ALLA TAKLINGENS DELAR OCH OMBORD FÖREFALLÄNDE ARBETEN, MED DE UPPFENNINGAR OCH FÖRBÄTTRINGAR SOM I SEDNARE TIDER TILLKOMMIT; FÖRFATTAD I SYNNERHET I AFSEENDE PÅ ORLOGS ELLER KRIGS FARTYG (MANUAL ON SEAMANSHIP)

MS in Swedish on paper, Sweden, ca. 1832-1835, 193 ff. (complete), 34x22 cm, single column, (31x17 cm), 29-35 lines in Swedish cursive script.

Binding: Sweden, ca. 1832-1835, marbled boards, quarter calf, sewn on 3 thongs.

Provenance: 1. Bibliothek Hammer Stockholm; 2. Admiral Alarik Wachtmeister, Skåne (-1953); 3. Alarik Wachmeister, Jr., Wallåkra gård, Helsingborg (1953-1996); 4. Antikvariat Classica, Vetlanda, Skåne.



MS 2309

SKEPPSBYGGERI (SHIPBUILDING)

ms2309

MS in Swedish on paper, Sweden, ca. 1850, 128 ff. (complete), 21x17 cm, single column, (16x13 cm), 14 lines in Swedish cursive script.

Binding: Sweden, ca. 1850, quarter black morocco gilt, sewn on 5 cords.

Provenance: 1. Admiral Alarik Wachtmeister, Skåne (-1953); 2. Alarik Wachmeister, Jr., Wallåkra gård, Helsingborg (1953-1996); 3. Antikvariat Classica, Vetlanda, Skåne.




MS 4473

ms4473a
1. CARL FREDERIK DIRIKS: DAGBOG HOLDEN OMBORD I FALKEN 1869; DIARY WRITTEN ON BOARD THE SURVEY SAILING VESSEL, FALKEN, AND THE STEAMSHIP TORDENSKIOLD FROM CHRISTIANIA TO TROMSØ, FURTHER TO HAMMERFEST AND VARDØ, AND BACK SOUTH TO TRONDHEIM
2. CARL FREDERIK DIRIKS: VORE SØFARTSFORHOLDE FØR OG NÅ; SAILING CONDITIONS IN NORWAY UP TO TODAY
ms4473b

MS in Norwegian on paper, Norway, 1869, 59 ff. + 66 blanks (complete), 34x21 cm, single column, (31x17 cm), 34-43 lines in Norwegian cursive script, autograph, 2 decorated initials, 3 pencil scetches and 66 drawings of good quality by the author.

Binding: Norway, ca. 1868, marbled boards, brown morocco spine, sewn o 3 cords.

Provenance: 1. Carl Frederik Diriks, Oslo (1869-1895); 2. Cappelens Antikvariat, Auksjon 32, 23.5.2000:79.

Commentary: Carl Frederik Diriks (1814-1895), managing director of lighthouses in Norway, and black-and-white-artist. His humorous celebrated drawings are at their best comparable to John Leech in "Punch".

Published: The whole MS can be viewed on internet on: www.nb.no/baser/diriks/






24.14. Slavery

See also MS 2963, Account of slaves, (earliest written evidence of slavery), Sumer 3300-3200 BC

See also MS 2726, Inventory of a slave family, Sumer 3200-3100 BC

See also MS 2064, The Ur-Nammu law code, including slave rights, Sumer 2095-2047 BC



MS 3032

MR DUGGANI, BRANDING IRON FOR LIVESTOCK, OR SLAVES

ms3032

MS in Sumerian on bronze, Sumer, 2600-2300 BC, 1 branding iron, 4,2x7,8x3,6 cm, 1 line in ceuneiform script.

Commentary: This chilling object is unique. Although branding of slaves is attested to in the texts, nobody has ever discovered a brand. It has clearly been used.






MS 1713

PRIVATE LETTER FROM MANNUM-KI-SHAMASH TO RISH-SHAMASH WITH INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING THE ESTATE OF DUMQI-ISHTAR: HE SHALL ENTRUST A SLAVE-GIRL, PREVENTING HER FROM ESCAPING. COLLECT BRICKS FOR THE CLOISTER, ROOF THE HOUSE WITH URBATUM GRASS OR PALM LEAVES AND SELL THE DATES FOR SILVER

ms1713

MS in Old Babylonian on clay, Babylonia, 2004-1595 BC, 1 tablet, 7,4x4,6x2,5 cm, 14+16+3 lines in cuneiform script.

Binding: Barking, Essex, 1993, yellow cloth gilt folding case, by Aquarius.

Published: C.B.F. Walker in Archiv für Orientforschung, vol. 24, Graz 1973, pp. 120-122, plate XVI.

See also MS 2456/6, Aramaic contract about a slave girl, Syria, 613? BC

See also MS 590/57, Sale of a Tartar female slave, Spain, 1401




MS 3011/2

ms3011/2

MÉMOIRE SUR LES RECLAMATIONS OU CAPITAINE BLANC. INSTRUCTIONS BY THE GOVERNOR OF CAYENNE TO THE SLAVE SHIP CAPTAIN BLANC, TO EXPORT FROM GUYANA TO TOBAGO 33 SLAVES ON THE BEHALF OF THE SOCIÉTÉ DE VAUDEUIL. THE CAPTAIN, HOWEVER, DID NOT RETURN TO CAYENNE WITH THE PROCEEDS OF THE SALE OF FF 278 000, BUT FLED TO MARTINIQUE INSTEAD

MS in French on blue paper, Cayenne, French Guyana, 1790, 20 ff., 30x20 cm, single column, (26x16 cm), 22-27 lines in French cursive script.

Binding: French Guyana, 1790, no covers, sewn on 2 blue cords.

Provenance: 1. H.P. Kraus Inc., New York.

Commentary: This account gives an insight into the persons and institutions responsible for the slave trade, its organisation and the actions of a ruthless slave ship captain.




24.15. Weight and measures

MS 4576

ms4576

ONE TALENT. TO SHARA, KING OF THE ... SEAS, HEROIC SON OF AN, PRIEST OF BABA, THE PRECIOUS ONE OF THE LAND, SUMER, BELOVED SON OF ISHIB-BALA-UNU-TA (INANNA), TO LEAD ... MEN WITH PRAYER, TO SHOW BRAVERY, TO EXCEL, TO STAND IN THE HEAVENS LIKE THE RESPLENDENT SUN-GOD, AS THE ... OF HIS LORD HE MADE THIS WEIGHT

MS in Neo Sumerian on stone, Umma, Sumer, ca. 2100-1900 BC, 1 stone weight, 38x23x15 cm, 2 columns, (14x9 cm) 10 lines in archaizing cuneiform script, ancient hole near top, weight 27,5 kg.

Commentary: Shara is the patron deity of the town Umma. The name of the king or, most likely, the city governor who had the weight made is unreadable. The text is unique, so far not duplicated in any other inscription. The oval shape is most unusual. Duck-weight were the rule, even for big weights of one talent.




MS 5088/1-55

COMPLETE SET FOR WEIGHING PRECIOUS METALS IN THE PALACE

ms5088
1. HALF MINA, WEIGHT OF THE PALACE
2. TEN SHEKELS
3. TWO SHEKELS
4. ONE QUARTER OF A SHEKEL
5. FIFTY-ONE UNMARKED WEIGHTS

MSS in Old Babylonian on haemetite, Babylonia, ca. 2000-1600 BC, 55 weights of all sizes, from diam. 2,8x8,8 cm to diam. 0,4x1,1 cm, 2 and 1 lines in cuneiform script. Context: The set comprises the following 17 weight denominations:

Commentary: The only known large complete set of weights from the Old Babylonian period. It would mainly have been used for weighing out gold and silver for deliveries to and from the royal palace.




MS 2481

WEIGHT: 1 TRUE MINA, OF ADAD-SHUMA-IDDINA, SON OF PRIEST-OF-ADAD

ms2481

MS in Babylonian on black stone (hematite), Babylonia, 1300-800 BC, 1 barrel-formed tablet, 5,3x12,0 cm, 3 lines in cuneiform script , weight 478.2 grams.

Commentary: The Adad-shuma-iddina mentioned is probably an official in a district, sufficiently influential to authorise correct weights. There was also a king of Babylon ruling ca. 1223-1217 BC with the same name.




MS 2836

ONE THIRD SHEKEL

ms2836


MS in Neo Babylonian on agate, Babylonia, ca. 6th c. BC, 1 agate duck weight, 0,9x1,8x0,9 cm, 1 line in cuneiform script, agate duck with the head turned back, brown body and white head, pierced lenghtwise with a hole for suspension.





MS 048

1. PRISCIANUS: DE PONDERIBUS ET MENSURIS
2. HERMOGENES, TRANSL. PRISCIANUS: DE PRAEEXERCITAMENTIS RHETORICAE
3. ATILIUS FORTUNATIANUS: RHETORICA
ms048

MS in Latin and Greek on vellum, France, 11th c., 33 ff. (complete), 15x9 cm, single column, (12x6 cm), 47 lines in a minute Carolingian minuscule and Greek capitals.

Binding: England, 19th c., leather with gilt line borders, sewn on 6 cords.

Provenance: 1. Guglielmo Libri (until 1862); 2. Sotheby's 25.7.1862:696; 3. Sir Thomas Phillipps, Cheltenham, Ph 16415 (1862-1872); 4. Katharine, John, Thomas & Alan Fenwick, Cheltenham (1872-1946); 5. Robinson Bros, London (1946-1978); 6. H.P. Kraus Cat. 153(1979):5.

Commentary: 3 works by grammarians of the late classical era, not otherwise known in private hands. Text 3 of the 4th c. is a discussion of Latin poetical meters in the form of a dialogue. Text 1, on weights and measures, seems to be the earliest complete witness to the text.




24.16. Wine and beer

MS 1717

BEER PRODUCTION, 134,813 LITRES OF BARLEY TO BE DELIVERED OVER 3 YEARS (37 MONTHS) TO THE GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL KUSHIN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BREWERY AT THE INANNA TEMPLE IN URUK

ms1717

MS in archaic Sumerian on clay, Uruk, Sumer, 31st c. BC, 1 tablet, 6,8x7,2x1,9 cm, 1 compartment of text in an expert pictographic script Uruk III.

Binding: Barking, Essex, 1997, green quarter morocco gilt folding case by Aquarius.

Context: From a single archive of 77 pictographic tablets including fragments, all in the same hand, of which 25 tablets and all the 30 fragments are in Freie Universität Berlin collections, 4 tablets in British Museum, 3 in Metropolitan Museum, 4 in Louvre, and 6 in The Schøyen Collection (MSS 202, 234, 1710, 1711, 1717, 1894).

Commentary: The present tablet is a masterpiece of pictographic calligraphy. It has just been discovered that 2 hitherto undeciphered pictograms, one like a brick building with a chimney, and the other an ear of barley drawn within a jar or container, illustrates the actual brewing process. Read from right to left we have first the barley delivered, then the brick- building that might be the brewery itself (also with other meanings), and the barley within a jar is the beer. It thus is the earliest representation in history of an industrial process.

Exhibited: 1. Museum für Vor- und Frühgeschichte, Berlin 1990, Cat. Nissen/Damerow/Englund: Frühe Schrift und Techniken der Wissenschaftsverwaltung, no. 4.29, pp. 20, 24 and 66-67. 2. Conference of European National Librarians, Oslo. Exhibition Sept. 1994. 3. "Preservation for access: Originals and copies". On the occasion of the 1st International Memory of the World Conference, organized by the Norwegian Commission for UNESCO and the National Library of Norway, at the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, Oslo, 3 June - 14 July 1996. 4. The Bibliophile Society of Norway's 75th anniversary. Bibliofilklubben 75 år. Jubileumsutstilling Bok og Samler, Universitetsbliblioteket 27.2 - 26.4.1997. 5. Tigris 25th anniversary exhibition. The Kon-Tiki Museum, Oslo, 30.1. - 15.9.2003.



MS 1952/39

ms1952_39


RECORD OF BEER DISTRIBUTED FROM THE OFFICIAL STORES ON THE 12TH AND 13TH DAYS OF A MONTH, MENTIONING BEST BEER AND ORDINARY BEER, FOR THE TEMPLE, FOR THE STORE AND FOR THE HOUSE OF LU-DINGIRRA

MS in Neo Sumerian on clay, Sumer, Ur III dynasty, 2080-2010 BC, 1 tablet, 5,3x3,5x1,5 cm, single column, 19 lines in cuneiform script.





MS 2020/08

ms2020/08

QUANTITIES OF BEER FOR OFFERING: 580 SILA OF BEER FOR THE OFFERING BOWLS, 35 SILA OF BEER FOR THE REGULAR OFFERINGS TO INANNA OF URUK, GIVEN BACK FROM HUWAWA (THE OFFICIAL IN CHARGE OF THE SUPPLIES OF BEER); COPY OF THE DOCUMENT OF DUGGAZIDA. DATED: THE YEAR AFTER SIMANUM WAS DESTROYED

MS in Neo Sumerian on clay, Sumer, 4th regnal year of King Shu-Sîn, 2034 BC, 1 tablet, 3,3x3,2x1,5 cm, single column, 6+2 lines in cuneiform script.

See also MS 2866, Wine as metaphor in poem, Babylonia, 18th c. BC; and MS 565/2, The Icarius Mirror, Italy 6th c. BC





MS 1814

DOCKET CONCERNING 2 LITRES OF WINE

ms1814

MS in Neo Elamite on clay, Persepolis, Iran, 521-486 BC, 1 tongue shaped tag, 3,7x3,7x1,7 cm, single column, 5 lines in Elamite cuneiform script.

Binding: Barking, Essex, 1994, black cloth gilt folding case by Aquarius.

Commentary: Neo-Elamite tablets are very rare. The British Museum has about 20 examples only in a collection of 150.000 tablets. From the reign of Darius I, the Great (521-486 BC), the king who threw Daniel into the lion pit (Dan. ch. 6), and afterwards wrote to men of all nations, peoples and languages throughout the world: "I decree: In every kingdom of my empire let all tremble with fear before the God of Daniel -".

See also MS 4575, Beer for medical treatment, Uruk, ca. 300 BC




MS 1802/23

ms1802/23
1. PRIVATE WINE ACCOUNT, WITH YIELDS FROM DIFFERENT VINEYARDS MEASURED IN KERAMIA, WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO GIVE QUANTITIES TO VARIOUS PERSONS, MENTIONING PAPONTOS
2. DOCUMENT

MS in Greek on papyrus, Egypt, 2nd c., 1 papyrus, 13x6 cm, 1 column remaining, 15+6 lines in Greek cursive script.

Provenance: 1. Mohammed Sha'ar, Cairo; 2. Issa Marogi Collection, Jerusalem (ca. 1955 - ca. 1990); 3. Heirs of Marogi family, Jerusalem (-1993); 4. Private collection, California (-1994); 5. Fayez Barakat Gallery, Los Angeles, California.

Commentary: Keramia are large pottery jars.

See also MS 2866, Babylonia, 18th c. BC and MS 565/2,, Italy, 6th c. BC








24.17. Literature by female authors

MS 2367/1

  1. ENHEDU' ANNA: HYMN C TO INANNA 1 - 16: "INANNA, STOUT-HEARTED, AGGRESSIVE LADY, MOST NOBle OF THE ANUNNA-GODS, - SHE IS A BIG NECK-STOCK CLAMPING DOWN ON THE GODS OF THE LAND, - ONCE SHE HAS SPOKEN, CITIES BECOME RUIN-HEAPS, A HOUSE OF DEVILS"
  2. PROVERB
ms2367/1

MS in Sumerian on clay, Babylonia, 20th-17th c. BC, 1 tablet, 21x17x4 cm, 3 columns, 16+16+16+4 lines in cuneiform script by a teacher of a scribal school in column 1, with 2 students repeating the hymn in columns 2 and 3.

Commentary: Enhedu’anna was daughter of King Sargon of Akkad (2334-2279 BC), founder of the first documented empire in Asia. Enhedu’anna emerges as a genuine creative talent, a poetess as well as a princess, a priestess and a prophetess. She is, in fact, the first named and non-legendary author in history. As such she has found her way into contemporary anthologies, especially of women's literature.

See also MS 2085, Abélarde et Héloise; epistolae, Abélard's autobiography and the letters between Abélard and Heloise. France, ca. 1350; and MS 586, text 2: Sappho: Ille mi par esse deo videtur. Italy, ca. 1475.




MS 1736

SUSANNA GORE: HER BOOKE

1. SUSANNA GORE: O GO DIHAU ESINNE DAN DOHER (COUPLET)
2. SUSANNA GORE: IT IS THE KNOWN CHARACTER OF AN UNWORTHY NATURE, TO WRITE INIURIES IN MARBLE, AND BENEFITS IN DUST (PROSE)
3. SUSANNA GORE: WHY ART THOU SO HEAVY, O MY SOUL (POEM)
4. SUSANNA GORE: YEA, YE SPARROW HATH FOUND HER AN HOUSE (POEM)
5. SUSANNA GORE: LENT TO MR GEORGE PEACOCK TWO BOOKS OFF COOLEY;
  LENT TO COLL. TAYLOR 5 VOLIOMS OF SPENCERS FEARY QUEENS;
  LENT TO MRS MARY HICKMAN THE MORNING BRIDE;
  LENT TO MRS BRIDGET GRASTEY;
  LENT TO CAPT. WALLCOTT SEASONS COMENTERYS
6. SUSANNA GORE: SNT HIEROM TO CELENTIA GAVE THESE FEW CAUTIONS (PROSE)
7. SUSANNA GORE: MY HEAVN'S FOUND, FORTUNE AND HOPE A CLUE, MOCK OTHERS NOW FOR I HAVE DONE WITH YOU (VERSE AT END OF PARAPHRASE OF ST. HIERONYMUS)
8. SUSANNA GORE: THE MULTITUDE IS LIKE A RAGING SEA, FULL OF UNQUIET BILLOUES OF DISCONTENTMENT (PROSE)
9. MILDNESSE AND FORTITUDE MAY WELL LODGE TOGETHER (COLLECTION OF PROVERBIAL SAYINGS)
10. SUSANNA GORE: A LIST OF THOSE OF OUR ARMY THAT WAS KILD & WONDED AT YE FURST FIGHT IN FLANDER AGEN THE FRINCH, 1692
11. SUSANNA GORE: DETAILS OF STORMS 29TH JULY AND LAST OF DECEMBER 1695, WITH LATER ADDITION 6 JAN 1839, SIGNED CHRISTOPHER ADAMSON, BALLINALACK
12. SUSANNA GORE: DETAILS OF A STORM 5TH DECEMBER 1705
13. SUSANNA GORE: WHEN LOOSE EPISTLES VIOLATE CHASTE EYES (POEM)
14. SUSANNA GORE: AN EVEN HAND WILL AN EVEN STAKE MAINTAINE (POEM)
15. SUSANNA GORE: WHOME WITH SO GREAT A MAN SHALL I COMPARE (POEM)
16. SUSANNA GORE: SOME WICKED MEN RICH, SOME GOOD ARE POOR (POEM)
17. SUSANNA GORE: SO FOOLS ARE ALLWAYS MOST PROFANE OF WORDS (POEM)
18. SUSANNA GORE: ME THINKS I RECOLLECT YOUR FORMER AIR (POEM)
19. SUSANNA GORE: HE THAT HAS GOD NEED NOT MUCH DEPLORE (PROSE)
20. A CURE FOR THE MAENGE IN A DOGG (RECIPE)
21. TO MAKE DR. SLOGHTONS DROPS (RECIPE)
22. TO MAKE TOOTH POWDER (RECIPE)
23. TO MAKE SEALING WAX (RECIPE)
24. AN ACCOUNT OF THE FIRST OF THE ADAMSONS THAT CAME TO IRELAND, THOMAS ADAMSON CAME OVER IN 1639
25. A CURE FOR THE BUTTON OR WORM TURCEY IN A HORSE (RECIPE)
26. ACCOUNT OF THE TIME WILL ADAMSON AND DOLLY TUTHILL WAS MARRYED AND THE TIME OF THEIR CHILLDARS BEARTH, 1735-1753, 1733-1854
27. JOHN TUTHILL OF NEWBOROUGH & GIORGE TUTHILL OF FAHA BOTH IN THE COUNTY OF LIMERICK, FAMILY ACCOUNT OF THE ADAMSON FAMILY UP TO 1854
28. SUSANNA GORE: ACCOUNTS OF DEATH OF MY MOTHER AND AUNT, 1690 & 1694
29. SUSANNA GORE: EVEN SO, FROM ANCIENT POETS OURS HAS BOUGHT FIRES (POEM)
30. SUSANNA GORE: GIVE ORE YOU SONS O' THE MIGHTY NINE (POEM)
31. SUSANNA GORE: WHILST MALICE AND INGRATITUDE CONFESS, THEY'VE FOR RUIN LONG WITHOUT SUCCESS (COUPLET)
32. FOR THE TEETH (2 RECIPES)
33. RATLIFS DROPS (RECIPE)
34. SUSANNA GORE: MY KIND CONFEDERATES, IF MY POOR INTENT (POEM)
35. SUSANNA GORE: MANKIND ONE DAY SERENE AND FREE APPEAR (POEM)
36. SUSANNA GORE: SO TRULY HOROSCOPE ITS VIRTUE KNOWS (POEM)
37. SUSANNA GORE: NOW CALL TO MIND THY GENEROUS PROWESS PAST (POEM)
38. A RESEAT FOR THE MEANGE IN A HORSE (RECIPE)
39. ACCOUNT OF CAPT. CONNOR O BRIEN WHO WAS UNFORTUNATLY DROWND ATT THE AILS OF MAN (ISLE OF MAN), 15TH FEBRUARY 1699
40. A LETTER TO THE LADY K FROM MR S, ON HER DAUGHTER'S DEATH
41. A LETTER: AS FOR WHAT CONCERNS I AM SO FARR FROM REPENTING THE SENSE I SHEWED ON HIS DEATH
42. SUSANNA GORE: SIR WILLIAM TALBOT ON THE LADY'S PICTURE: SUCH WAS THE LIFE AND SUCH THE PICTURE SEEM'D (POEM)
43. SUSANNA GORE: A GENTELMAN AND HIS MRS GOING TO SEA: BRIGHT WAS MORNING COLD THE AIR (POEM)
44. SUSANNA GORE: A MODERN CHARACTER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS: THE HOUSE OF COMONS ARE THE REBILS GOD (POEM)
45. SUSANNA GORE: AN EPITAPH MADE ON JOHN ANDREWS DD: GLORY TO GOD ON HIGH WITH CHEARFULL VOYCE (POEM)
46. SUSANNA GORE: CEALE FORGIVE ME MY PACTION (POEM)
47. SUSANNA GORE: ONE A LADY GOING TO SEA: FAREWELL FAIRE SAINT LET NOT THE SEASE NOR WINDS (POEM)
48. SUSANNA GORE: TEMPLE OF DEATH: IN THOS CLYMATS WHER THE SUN APEARS (POEM)
49. SUSANNA GORE: SIR EDMUND BURY GODFRIE HIND MURDER'D BY ROGUES: TIS STRANGE THAT IN THE LETTERS OF THIS NAME (POEM)
50. SUSANNA GORE: BIRTH IS A BRAGGE, GLORY A BLAZE (POEM)
51. SUSANNA GORE: GRIEF MELTS AWAY; LIKE SNOW IN MAY (POEM)
52. SUSANNA GORE: AFFLICTION: MY HEART DID LEAVE AND THERE CAME FORTH O GOD (POEM)
53. SUSANNA GORE: WHO IS THE HONEST MAN: HE THAT DOTH STILL AND STRONGLY GOOD PURSUE (POEM)
54. SUSANNA GORE: GOLD: HE THAT TO HEAVEN WOULD TAKE HIS WAY (POEM)
55. SUSANNA GORE: OF THE FIVE HOURS OF LIFE ALOTTED ME (POEM)
56. SUSANNA GORE: LET HIM THAT WILL, ASCEND THE TOTTERING SEAT (POEM)
57. SUSANNA GORE: HART TAKE THIN AESE (POEM)
58. SUSANNA GORE: I WAS ENTRANGLED IN THE WORLD OF STRIFE, BEFORE I HAD THE POWER TO CHANGE MY LIFE (POEM OF 1 COUPLET)
59. FARM ACCOUNTS, CONCERNING MALT, WHEAT, BOARS, ETC.
60. ACCOUNTS OF LOANS AND DEBTS, WITH NAMES, DATES AND AMOUNTS
61. ACCOUNT OF FAMILY MATTERS, BIRTHS, DEATHS, MARRIAGES ETC.
ms1736

MS in English and Irish Gaelic (text 1) on paper, Ballynatray, Waterford, Ireland, ca. 1680-1740 with additions up to 1855, 79 ff., 9x15 cm, single column, (8x14 cm), 10-18 lines in English cursive, by Susanna Gore, Christ. Adamson and several others.

Binding: Cork, Ireland, 1956, brown morocco, gilt title on spine, sewn on 2 cords, by Roger Powell.

Context: Texts 20 and 32 are the same recipe.

Provenance: 1. Susanna Gore, Ballynatray, County Waterford (ca. 1680-1740); 2. Christopher Adamson, Ballinalach (1839); 3. The Adamson-Tuthill-Kingsley family (19th c.); 4. Brigadier H. B. Kingsley (1956); 5. De Búrca rare books, Dublin Cat. 30(1993):124.

Commentary: Susanna was the daughter of John Gore of Clonrone, Co. Clare. She was married firstly to John King, son of Sir Wiliam King, and secondly to Richard Smyth of Ballynatray Co. Waterford, the 4th son of Sir Percy Smyth and great nephew of Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork. Nearly all the poetry and prose texts are original, hitherto unknown and unpublished. Autographs of female literature are extremely rare before 1750 in most countries. In Ireland no other female poets are known in her period, 1680-1740.





MS 5328

MURASAKI SHIKIBU: GENJI MONOGATARI, THE TALE OF GENJI, CHAPTER 20 ASAGAO (BLUEBELL)

ms5328

MS in Japanese on paper, Japan, ca. 1800, 20 ff. (complete), 26x18 cm, 12 columns, (24x15 cm) with 18-20 characters in Shodo (calligraphic cursive script) per column, commentary in 24 columns at top of page in Shodo and Kanji (Chinese characters) with 10-15 characters per column.

Binding: Japan, ca. 1800, light brown paper covers, stitched on 4 stations (Xian Zhuang).

Context: Vol. 20 from a set of 54 vols., corresponding to the 54 chapters of the Genji.

Provenance: 1. Kimio Koketsu, Ohya-Shobo Ltd, Tokyo.

Commentary: The Tale of Genji is considered to be the supreme masterpiece of Japanese prose, one of the world’s greatest novels, and the greatest work ever of a female author. Murasaki Shikibu finished her work, also considered to be the world’s first novel after the ancient period, in 1021. Her real name remains unknown. She is named after the beloved wife of Genji, Murasaki. The work recounts the life of Genji, the second son of the Japanese Emperor and comprises some 400 dramatis personae.

MS 2132

HANNA WINSNES: JULEGAVEN. SHORT STORY

ms2132

MS in Norwegian on paper, Norway, ca. 1860-1869, 14 pp., 28x21 cm, single column, (27x20 cm), 24 lines in cursive script, autograph, signed.

Binding: Oslo, ca. 1950, quarter leather gilt.

Provenance: 1. Hanna Winsnes (ca. 1860); 2. Bjørn Hansson, Oslo (-1995); 3. Arild and Morten Hansson, Oppegård and Hop, Norway.

Commentary: Hanna Winsnes (1789-1872), Norwegian author; still famous for her cookbook.

Published: "Folkevennen" (1869), and in the booklet, "Til Juul", To småstykker av Hanna Winsnes (1869).





MS 2256

THIT JENSEN: PIGEN, DER GIK IND I EN BOG, SHORT STORY

ms2256

MS in Danish on paper, København, Denmark, ca. 1903, 7 pp., 28x18 cm, single column, (26x17 cm), 40 lines in cursive script, autograph, signed.

Provenance: 1. Thit Jensen, Denmark (ca. 1903); 2. Lynge & Søn, København.

Commentary: Thit (Maria Kirstine Dorothea) Jensen (1876-1957), Danish author and feminist. The present short story was her debut story.





MS 2115/2

SIGRID UNDSET: NOGEN KVINDESAKS-BETRAGTNINGE. - I ANL. PERKINS GILMAN: VERDEN SOM MANDEN HAR INDRETTET DEN

ms2115/2

MS in Norwegian on paper, London, October 1912, 16 ff., 26x20 cm, single column (20x16 cm), 23 lines in cursive script, autograph, signed.

Provenance: 1. Sigrid Undset, London (1912); 2. Samtiden, Oslo (1912-13); 3. Reidar Myhre, Oslo, 4. Norli's Antikvariat, Oslo.

Commentary: Sigrid Undset (1882-1949) Norwegian author. She received the Nobel prize in 1928.

Published: Essay in the periodical "Samtiden", 1912.

See also MS 2115/1, Sigrid Undset: Fattige skjæbner. Norway, 1912





MS 2140

NINI ROLL ANKER: LEGENDE, SHORT STORY

ms2140

MS in Norwegian on paper, Oslo, Norway, ca. 1925-1938, 4 pp., 28x20 cm, single column, (23x16 cm), 26 lines in cursive script, autograph, signed.

Provenance: 1. Nini Roll Anker; 2. Publisher, Oslo; 3. Cappelens Antikvariat, Oslo.

Commentary: Nini Roll Anker (1873-1942), Norwegian author.

See also MS 5213, Joan de Hamel: Take the long path. New Zealand, 1975-1978






24.18. Various texts

MS 3223/2

1. ROYAL GAME OF UR
2. ARCHITECT'S DRAWING OF A PLAN OF A TEMPLE WITH A LARGE COURTYARD AND MORE THAN 20 ROOMS

ms3223-2

MS in Babylonian on clay, Babylonia, 2000-1600 BC, ca. 1/3 of a tablet, 7,7 x6,1x2,0 cm ( originally ca. 7,7x17,0x2,0 cm), with the larger part of the main part of the gaming board with 9 out of 12 squares, one of which is divided into 4 triangles by crossing lines, the architect's plan with all doors and windows indicated by double wedges, 3/4 of the palace is shown; pierced twice laterally to strengthen the original long tablet with a narrow section in the middle.

Context: A complete inlaid board with seven white and seven black round gaming pieces with 5 dots on each and two pyramid dice from ca. 2400 BC, found in a royal tomb in Ur, now in British Museum. A cuneiform tablet with the rules, from 177 BC, is also in British Museum.

Commentary: The Royal Game of Ur was a race game for 2 players based on the same principles as Ludo with the goal to move all playing tokens safely round the board and off the end. The tablet from 177 BC attests to a more advanced goal, to score the most points by winning the most counters after playing 3 rounds of the game.

MS 1788/1

1. MALKBOL, THE GOOD FORTUNE OF TAYMAY
2. THE CHILDREN OF BELNURI

ms1788-1

MS in Aramaic on clay, Palmyra, Syria, ca. 100 BC, 1 tessera, 2,0x2,4 cm, 1+1 line in Aramaic square script.

Context: The same texts are published in Ingholt-Seyrigh-Starcky: Recueil des Tessères de Palmyre, Paris 1955, nos. 274-7 (text 1) and 272 (text 2).

Provenance: 1. Palmyra, Syria (ca. 100 BC-); 2. Jeremy Griffiths, Oxford.

Commentary: The latest scholarship suggests that the tesserae were used "associated with cultic meals". They are traditionally believed to be theatre tickets for the arena in Palmyra.

MS 691

ms691
1. SERMON ON GOSPEL TEXTS
2. MARTINUS POLONUS (MARTINUS MINORITA): FLORES TEMPORUM (CRONICA MINOR) (1429)
3. CRONICA DE IMPERI TRANSLACIONE A GRECIS IN GERMANOS (1429)
4. SERIES TEMPORUM, A CRONICLE FROM CREATION UNTIL 1142
5. DE SACRAMENTIS. DE EXCOMMUNICATIONE MAIORI ET MINORI. DE CASIBUS RESERVATIS
6. QUESTIONES CASUUM EXCERPTA LIBRI DECRETALIUM
7. TABULAE COGNATIONIS SPIRITUALIS ET ARBOR CONSANGUINEITATIS ET AFFINITATIS
8. MATTHAEUS DE CRACOVIA: TRACTATULUS, QUOMODO SE HABERE DEBEANT CLERICI VEL LAYCI IN CELEBRANDO VEL COMMUNICANDO (1389)
9. CLEMENS VII PAPA: DIALOGUS RATIONIS ET CONSCIENTIAE, DIALOGUS DE ELECTIONE URBANI VI METU FACTA
10. PRIMAE QUESTIONIS SENTENTIA, PROBABLY THE SPEECH OF A BACCALARIUS SENTENIARIUS
11. INNOCENTIUS III PAPA: DE MISERIA HUMANE CONDITIONIS, EXCERPTS
12. BIBLIA BEATE VIRGINIS
13. LIBER SCINTILLARUM
14. DE PASSIONE D. N. JESU CHRISTI

MS in Latin and Middle high German (text 14) on paper, Monastery Zwettl, Waldviertel, Austria, 1380-1430, 254 ff. (complete), 29x22 cm, single column, (19-23x15 cm), 28-54 lines in a regular lettre bâtarde, by Jeorius de Cistastorff and other scribes, many large initials decorated in a pattern similar to the chain of the binding, some with penwork, 3 full-page diagrams of arbores consanguineitatis.

Binding: Monastery Zwettl, Waldviertel, Austria, ca. 1430, blindtooled leather over stout beech boards, sewn on 4 thongs, with a chain of twisted iron loops and a ring, 92 cm, fastened at the top of lower cover. Vellum sewing guards from a medieval MS in Hebrew.

Context: From the same scriptorium, with the same provenance, and in the same type of chained binding as MS 690.

Provenance: 1. Benedictine Monastery Zwettl, Waldviertel, Austria (ca. 1380-17th c.); 2. Johann Jamaigne, Alt-Pöllach, Waldviertel, Austria (17th c.); 3. Piaristen-Kloster, Wien (18th c.); 4. Graf Wilczek, Schloss Kreuzenstein, Austria, No. 5668 (from 19th c.); 5. H. Tenschert cat. 22(1990):19.

Commentary: Text 12 is probably unique.

Exhibited: Conference of European National Librarians, Oslo. Sept. 1994.



MS 4601

THE HALDENSLEBEN CARTULARY

ms4601
1. LISTS OF GIFTS TO THE CONVENT WITH NAMES OF THE DONORS AND CONVENANTS
2. COPIES OF 150 DOCUMENTS DETAILING THE PROPERTIES AND PRIVILEGES OF THE CONVENT FROM THE FOUNDATION CHARTER OF 1228 AND ONWARDS

MS in Latin and German on vellum, Cistercian convent of Haldensleben, Althaldensleben, Germany, ca. 1490, 102 ff. (complete), 30x20 cm, single column, (22x13 cm), 14 and 28 lines in a rotunda Gothic book script of medium quality, additions in cursive script.

ms4601b

Binding: Haldensleben, Germany, ca. 1490, blind-stamped leather over oak boards, sewn on 4 double cords, clasp-fittings, paper label on spine.

Provenance: 1. Cistercian convent of Haldensleben, Althaldensleben, Germany (1490); 2. Sotheby's 19.6.2001:33.

Commentary: Cartularies are one of the rarest type of medieval MSS, and an important source for medieval local history. They are registers of title-deeds (carte), charters of privilege and other documents which are kept by landowners as evidence for their rights. Althaldensleben is 3 km south of the present Haldensleben, and about 25 km north-west of Regensburg.



MS 2485

ms2485

ARTIST'S ILLUSTRATION MANUAL OF MYTHICAL CREATURES

MS on paper, Burma, 18th c., 22 ff., folding book, 14x37 cm, (14x37 cm), no text, 58 illustrations in full colours.

Binding: Burma, 18th c., paper cover.

Provenance: 1. Sam Fogg cat. 19(1998):121.

Commentary: A Reference manual like this is extremely rare. The twofold purpose was both as a cartoon or design for painting temple murals or illustrating books, and secondly as a catalogue to show to donors commissioning a work of art.



MS 2176

1. ASVASASTRA, TREATISE ON THE TYPES AND ILLNESSES OF HORSES
2. TREATISE ON THE KEEPING OF HORSES

ms2176 ms2176

MS in Newari (text 1) and Sanskrit (text 2) on paper, Nepal, 18th c., 32 ff. concertina-folded, 9x22 cm, single column, (6x16 cm and 8x10 cm), 5-12 lines in Newari script, 49 fine painted miniatures of horses.

Binding: London, 1996, black cloth gilt folding case.

Provenance:1. Sam Fogg cat. 17(1996):26.

 

 

 

 

MS 5195

BIBLE: JOHN 3:16, OPENING PART: A TETUA EKANIENI MAFI TAKE NEI WA YA KOI KOUNA MAI TAN TARIKI

5195

MS in Futuna on jaw bone of wild boar, Ekasup village, Efaté Island, Republic of Vanuatu, 31 January 2003, 1 jaw with teeth and the 2 tusks, 14x26x15 cm, single column, (10x8 cm), 7+3 lines in capitals slanting to the right by Sifo Seimo.

Provenance: 1. The jawbone: The Community of Ekasup village (-2003); 2. gift from Sifo Seimo, Ekasup village, Jan. 2003.

Commentary: The wild boar jawbone has been at the sacred site for offerings and magical rituals together with human bones from the time the Vanatuans were canibals. The power of the bones from both humans and wild boars would be transferred to the owner during magical rituals.

Being a Christian, Sifo Seimo, had no objections in writing down the fist part of John 3:16 in his own dialect, one of the 115 dialects of the 82 islands of Vanuatu, formerly known as the New Hebrides.

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