Composite volume of English origin, containing works of Ovid ('Fasti') and Claudian (major poems), the former of which belonged to Leicester Abbey.

Item

Identifier: Adv.MS.18.5.13

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

In the margins of both parts (folios 26 verso, 46 verso, 63 verso, 102 recto and verso) are written English proverbs in the same 16th-century hand.

Pastedowns and flyleaves from an earlier binding consist of two bifolia folded in half and used sideways, containing in a 14th-century hand part of an unidentified commentary on Isaiah, dealing at length with 19.1 to 21.5, and to be read in the order viii recto + vii verso, viii verso + vii recto, ii recto + v verso, ii verso + v recto, iii recto + iv verso, iii verso + iv recto, ix recto + vi verso, ix verso + vi recto; ruling in ink; 2 columns, 42 lines; 225 x 210 millimetres, area of column 175 x 90 millimetres.

Dates

Creation: Late 12th century-13th century.

Extent

1 Volumes (i (paper) + iv + 106 + iv + ii (paper) folios.)

Language of Materials

Latin

Additional Description

Arrangement

Collation: 1-2⁸, 3⁸ + 1 leaf after 3⁶, 4-5⁸, 6⁸ (-6⁴⁻⁵), 7-12⁸, 13⁸ (-13¹), 14⁸ (-14¹,⁶⁻⁸). In (i) (gatherings 1-6) signatures in Roman numerals in the centre lower margin of the first recto and catchwords in the right-hand lower margin parallel to the text. In (ii) no signatures or catchwords. Pricking: in (i) with a triangular awl, in (ii) with a flat awl; in the outer margins, from first recto to last verso of each gathering. Ruling in ink on each page; in (i) across the unfolded sheets. 1 column. 43 (gatherings 1-3) and 42 (gatherings 4-6) lines in (i), 31 lines in (ii). Ruled area in (i) 160-170 x 70 millimetres, in (ii) 150 x 55-58 millimetres. Secundo folio: (folio 2) `Hii nⁱ romanum`, (folio 49 - not original second folio) `suspensa zefiros`.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Vellum. Binding of brown calf, tooled blind on the edges only, mid 18th century.

Custodial History

The ex libris of Sir James Balfour is on folio 1 (Denmilne number 26 on folio iii). It was number 181-182 in the sale of Balfour`s books in 1698. Former pressmark: A.5.18. The volume was bought by the Advocates’ Library in 1698.