Lives of Saints, in Latin [Italy, 12th century]

eight leaves, each c.450x270mm, vellum, 2 columns, each preserving 39 lines, decorated with a large foliate initial (the colours perhaps repainted), the reverse of each leaf erased, in a 19th-century binding with marbled papers over boards

From the library of Rudolf Graupner, his bookplate with an image of ‘Ivstinian’ inside the upper cover. 

The text consists of lives of saints, including parts of the life of St Anastasius of Persia, whose feast-day was 22 January, beginning 'Unigenitus filius et verbum dei ...' (f.1v), and his miracles, 'Item mirabilia eiusdem. Imperante domino nostro piissimo Augusto Anastasio magno imperatore ...' (f.2r); his name appears again on ff.5v, 6r; followed by parts of the Life of St Severus, whose feast-day was 1 February; ff.7v, 8r).

Although very worn and damaged, these are fragments of a huge and once-impressive volume with potential value for hagiographical research, with easy-to-read script, and an attractive decorated initial.