Cassiodorus, Magnus Aurelius

Jacobus de Voragine. Legenda Sanctorum, decorated manuscript in Latin, on paper. [North west Germany or Low Countries (most probably Goch; see provenance below), last decades of fifteenth century], 60 leaves, wanting gatherings from end (after ‘De passione Domini’), else apparently complete, double column, c.50 lines in black ink in a small hybrid hand, capitals touched in red, paragraph-marks and rubrics in same, 3-line initials in red, one large elaborately variegated initial in red on opening leaf, with ornate brown floral penwork (in style following that of the initials at the front of the printed book, but most probably by a different hand), some smudges and stains, else excellent condition

2 works in one volume, Chancery folio (293 x 205mm.), contemporary Netherlandish calf over wooden boards, covers tooled to a diaper pattern with small flower and carnation stamps in circles, two clasps, rebacked in calf and lettered in gilt, holes from bosses on lower cover, vellum endleaves, in modern brown buckram folding box, rebacked

Canons Regular of the house of St Mary the Virgin, Gaesdonck near Goch (now in NW Germany, dissolved 1802), early inscription on front vellum endleaf together with a list of contents; Law Society, armorial bookplate

Cassiodorus: Goff C238; HC (+Add) 4571; BMC i 245; GW 6165

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."

For other books in contemporary bindings from Windesheim convents, see lots 65 and 132. It is probable that this book was bound in the convent's own bindery.

The second half of this volume is a substantial fragment of the greatest medieval collection of saints’ lives, the Golden Legend of Jacobus de Voragine (c.1230-98; see also lot 82). The contents here agree with the edited text of Graesse (1850), with the exception of the life of St Sophia (omitted), and with the addition of seventeen further saints (Giles and Barbara after no. ii; Timothy after no.xxvi; Bridget after no.xxxv; Dorothy, Apollonia and Scholastica after no.xli; Symeon after no.xliii; Perpetua and Felicitas and the Forty Martyrs after no.xlv; and the local saints, Archbishop Heribert of Cologne and Gertrude after no.xlvii).