A collection of leaves from decorated manuscripts, in Latin, on vellum

4 leaves, (a) a single leaf from a copy of Vergil's Aenied, 214mm. by 145mm., written space 185mm. by 90mm., remains of a single column of 30 lines in brown ink in a fine early gothic book script, with initial-letters of each line set apart as capitals, recovered from a bookbinding with slight trimming to top and perhaps loss of a line or two, wear to area which covered spine, much of verso obscured by attached paper endleaves, else in good and presentable condition, France, early twelfth century; (b) substantial fragment from centre of a leaf from a monumental homiliary, 310mm. by 225mm., remains of two columns of 34 lines of black ink in a rounded gothic bookhand, remains of a large red initial 'E' (opening 'Et uenit cum ...'; this lost due to trimming, and text opening here a few words into the text at 'non solum ab angelis et prophetis ...', ie., Omelia in purificatione sanctae Marie), recovered from a bookbinding and so with some minor damage, Italy, mid-twelfth century; (c) leaf from a Central European liturgical manual (perhaps a rituale), 352mm. by 252mm., 32 lines of late gothic script, capitals touched in yellow, with notes of St. Stanislaus (bishop of Kraków, d. 1079) on verso, Central Europe (perhaps Poland), fifteenth century; (d) single leaf apparently from 'Annotationes et Tractatus de Deo Anonymi', 275mm. by 195mm., double column, 58 lines in brown ink in a small secretarial hand with many abbreviations, Italy, c. 1300

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."

Item (a) is a handsome leaf from what was once a fine twelfth-century manuscript of Vergil's Aenied one of the most influential texts of the Middle Ages. The verso here contains the text of Book II, lines 58-87, in which the treacherous Sinon surrenders himself to King Priam, and convinces him that he has been cast out by the Greeks as they left in their ships, thus persuading him to bring the infamous wooden horse (within which the Greek troops hide) into the city of Troy.