Leaves from a Bible, in Latin, illuminated manuscript on vellum

40 leaves (some loose and some bifolia), 180mm. by 125mm., written space 115mm. by 78mm., double column, 46 lines in black ink in a small and neat Gothic bookhand, some initials touched in red, rubrics in red, titles and book-numbers in blue and red, numerous 2-line initials in alternate blue and red with elaborate penwork to contrast often extending entire length of margin, one 4-line initial in pink on blue ground with white penwork, terminating in foliate extensions and a small animal-head, and enclosing foliage, one 6-line initial in blue, orange, pink and green and touched with white penwork, terminating in foliate extensions and a small animal-head, and enclosing a winged animal with a lacertine tail biting its own shoulder (both p. 218), a small horizontal split in the outer margin of p. 211, else in excellent condition on fine vellum with wide and clean margins

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

text

Leaves from three gatherings (paginated in modern pencil 179-94, 196-9, 201-12, 214-23) from a professionally written manuscript Bible, doubtlessly produced for use in the university of Paris in the third quarter of the thirteenth century. The text here corresponds to a section of the Old Testament: the end of II Chronicles, 2-35; I Esra 2-10; Nehemiah 3-13; the work traditionally ascribed to Nehemiah, here called II Esra 1-9; the apocryphal Book of Tobit 1-14; and the Book of Judith 1-15 (with a few leaves lost from the beginning and end of each book except for that at the end of Tobit and the beginning of Judith). The style of the initials seems very close to some of the output of the atelier of Johannes Grusch (see Branner, Manuscript Painting in Paris during the Reign of St. Louis, 1977, pl. 225 for comparison), and perhaps it was executed in that workshop.