Dictionary, with other notes, including verses, in Italian, manuscript on paper

Estimate

1,000 - 1,500 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

49 leaves (9 blank), 280mm. by 103mm., apparently complete, collation: i^{20, ii^{22, iii^{7 [of 10, 5 blank, 3 cancelled after iv, one with some added words], written in brown ink in several italic cursive hands, probably mostly in the compiler’s autograph with corrections and additions throughout, slight stains and frayed edges,}}} contemporary binding of limp vellum with fold-over flap, spine sewn to two pieces of vellum in ‘account book’ style, early letter ‘B’ on upper cover

Catalogue Note

The volume mostly comprises two sequences of an alphabetical wordlist with one-word synonyms in Italian, probably compiled for the author’s own use and with spaces for additions. It opens, “Abastada: finita. Abatimiento: abbattimento ...”, and so on, to “… Zurro: il zanio”, and then begins again. Notes at the beginning include a record of two payments dated 1510, jottings mentioning Andrea Doria of Genoa (c.1468-1560) and a German friar in the Swedish army, two short verses, one beginning “Vedeste voi gia mai simil dolore …”, and what appear to be epitaphs or eulogies of famous people, including a Cardinal de’ Medici (perhaps Giulio de’ Medici, created a cardinal in 1513, died 1534), Giovanni Battista Grimaldi (c.1442-c.1514), and others. The tall narrow format suggests that the book was intended for carrying in a pocket.