Lot 35

Two manuscripts in Latin and Italian, on paper, including a compendium of astrological birth charts [Italy, sixteenth century and c.1600]

Estimate

3,000 - 5,000 GBP

bidding is closed

Description

Paper

2 manuscripts, (a) compendium of astrological charts, 130mm. by 90mm., 61 leaves (2 blank), 3 leaves cut away (but foliation by original hand indicates this was contemporary with the creation of the volume), else complete, collation: i^{11 (x wanting), ii^{12, iii^{16, iv^{9 (viii wanting), v^{13 (xii wanting), contemporary foliation, 58 full-page diagrams of astrological charts for birthdates, each with the title and dates of the individual and their arms in trick (some left blank), brown ink, index at end, very slight discolouration at edges of some leaves and 2 scratches to the chart for Elizabeth I (one causing minor split, else no damage to text), else good, card binding with 'GENESES' on front cover, Italy, c.1600;}}}}} (b) writing-master's pattern book, 39 leaves (14 blank), 218mm. by 150mm., with alphabet samples, poems and mottoes, notes on last page on weather, some pages damaged by acidic ink, else fair condition, contemporary limp vellum binding from Italian fourteenth-century bible, 'Jesus Maria' on front in calligraphic script with flourishes, Italy, sixteenth century

Catalogue Note

Item (a) contains 58 astrological birth charts for a number of contemporary rulers of Europe, the Middle East, and ancient Roman figures of interest to its author, including Cicero (fol.48r), Nero (49), Petrarch (28r), Cosimo de' Medici (20r), Pope Pius V (57r), King Louis XII of France, Emperor Charles V (1r), Queen Elizabeth I of England (38r), as well as Blondus de Montealto, the Christian patriarch of Jerusalem (39r) and Suleiman the Magnificent, ruler of the Ottoman Empire (4r). On the verso of fol.15 the scribe has added notes on the progression of the moon and its interaction with the sun and planets. Item (b) is a pattern book, perhaps written by Francus Francensius of Arezzo (whose name appears at the end of the poem on fol.14r), and based in part on the engraved writing-books of the Roman scribe Giovambattista Palatino.