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January 6, 2010

HIGHLY IMPORTANT 1388 MEDIEVAL SPANISH MANUSCRIPT

FOUNDING DOCUMENT OF THE CITY OF Magán, Spain

A 14th century copy of the 1298 original (apparently now lost) by Don Pedro Tenorio, the famous Archbishop of Toledo

The Manuscript:

[Medieval Spanish Manuscript on Vellum] [Toledo, Spain, 1298, this copy executed in 1388] Size: 64 x 38 cm., ” Translado de fundación del Mayorazgo [la aldea] de Magán por Garci Manes, alcade mayor de Toledo [que ortogo] el 9 de enero de la era de 1298 [ano 1260], cuyo original se deposito en el Sagrario dela St. Iglesia Primada de Toledo enel ano x1388, pro mandado de Don Pedro Tenorio, dando una copa a cade uno delos interasados que acudienon apedirala. ” Verso with original 1388 copy, recto with numerous 17th century additions and explanatory text. Partial Tear to one fold not affecting manuscript. Overall, Very Good as depicted. [$6500]

A Highly important medieval Spanish document from several standpoints. For the history of Spanish law, it represents one of the earliest obtainable examples of a “Mayorazgo,” this one being particularly important as it established the city of Magán near Toledo. The Mayorazgo, which granted hereditary rights (generally solely to the first male heir), was a very important legal development under Alfonso X, who established the foundation of Iberian law which stood for centuries. “As a ruler, Alfonso X showed legislative capacity, and a wish to provide the kingdoms expanded under his father with a code of laws and a consistent judicial system. He began medieval Europe’s most comprehensive code of law, the Siete Partidas, which, however, thwarted by the nobility of Castile, was only promulgated by his great-grandson. Because of this, and because the Partidas remain fundamental law in the American Southwest, he is one of the 23 lawmakers depicted in the House of Representatives chamber of the United States Capitol. ” [Wikipedia]

The document states that this is a 14th century copy, executed in 1388, of the original which was deposited for safekeeping in the archives of the Cathedral of Toledo under the direction and hand of Don Pedro Tenorio, the famous Cardinal Archbishop of Toledo, to whom the city owes her glory almost as much as to her Kings. This copy appears signed D.P. Arzobispo Toledo, but this may be a secretarial signature. Another copy of the document, and what appears to be a tertiary copy (i.e. another or later copy- the original 1298 one likely lost) is cited by that magnificent reference work, the Indice de la Colección de don Luis de Salazar y Castro, as being held as Manuscript 50.940 by the Real Academia de la Historia. [Ref: “‪Indice de la colección de don Luis de Salazar y Castro, Volumes 32-33‬‎ – Page 99; Manuscript 50.940. Published: Real Academia de la Historia]

The copy in the Real Academia de la Historia, was collected by great manuscript collector, the Thomas Phillips of Spain: Luis de Salazar. “Luis de Salazar y Castro (Valladolid, 1658 – Madrid, 1734), called by some the prince of the genealogists, is one of the most quoted writers Spanish. The collection of documents gathered throughout his life, preserved in the Royal Academy of History of Spain, is one of the basic sources for the investigation of the Iberian lineage. ”

Such a founding manuscript of a Spanish town, even if a 14th century copy of the the 13th century original, is of extreme rarity outside of Spanish Institutional holdings.

December 13, 2009

PRINTED 1470-1472: SORCERY AND THE ORIGINS OF THE WITCHCRAFT CRAZE

A HUMANIST COPY OF ONE OF THE 15th CENTURY’S MOST IMPORTANT WORKS

ONE OF THE EARLIEST OBTAINABLE INCUNABLES

Nider, Johannes, ca. 1380-1438. Praeceptorium divinae legis, sive, Expositio decalogi]. (Basel : Berthold Ruppel, ca. 1470-1472) Folio. 30 x 21.5 cm., 330 leaves (i.e. 660 pages) ff. 1,24, 25 in contemporary manuscript. 37-38 lines and headline, double column, Gothic type, Rubricated in red throughout. Handsome contemporary blind stamped deerskin with remainder of two engraved clasps, spine relaid many years ago, contemporary vellum manuscript bookseller’s waste and inscribed paper fragments used as pastedowns. f. 1 rebacked, f.2 with old ex-libris markings, small holes to ff. 1-4 and 19, some leaves repaired, light staining to gutter of preliminary leaves. Likely evidence of a late 15th century humanist owner with a manuscript except of Juvenal on the rear board pastedown; Juvenal being commonly taught in humanist schools: ” Malo tibi pater sit Thermites, dummodo tu sis .Xacida:, similem, Vulcaniaque arrna capessas, Quam te Thersita? similem producat Achilles.” Goff N-196; BMC III 715. A VERY ATTRACTIVE, WIDE-MARGINED COPY OF A RARE, DESIRABLE, AND VERY EARLY INCUNABLE    [$16,500]

Like the Formicarus, this seminal work by Nider elucidates the origins of the witchcraft craze and persecutions by helping to lay theological foundations, recording the names of those who had contravened the first commandment of God with unusual rituals and superstitious beliefs and acts. He discusses women who “boasted of having seen the souls in purgatory and of many other fantasies” as well as those who were not affected by the flames of a candle upon their skin. Theological debates and questions run throughout the work on the devil, poltergeists, noctural disturbances, imaginary fires and other malefici [Ref: Lea, Henry Charles Materials Toward a History of Witchcraft Part 1, 1890, reprinted 2004 ]

This book was for many years considered to be a 1464 imprint and thus the first book printed in Switzerland, based on a rubricator’s inscription dated Oct. 20 1464 in another copy. However, this rubricator’s date was later shown to be inaccurate and the date of 1470-1472 is now generally assigned. Regarding the date, the Woldcat-compiled cataloguer’s notes state: “F. Finkenstaedt, in Beiträge zu Forschung, neue Folge 4 (München, 1932) pp.7-33, although wrongly accepting a rubricator’s date of 1464 as genuine, showed that this edition served as exemplar for Zel’s first edition (Goff N-207), of which a copy is known with an acquisition note of 1472 (cf. also V. Scholderer, in The Library V, 3 (1948/49) p.50 and K. Ohly in ZfB 57 (1940) pp.247-60). BMC dated not after 1474, and Goff about 1470.”

November 22, 2009

1476: HISTORY OF THE FLORENTINE PEOPLE: THE “FIRST MODERN HISTORY BOOK”

FIRST EDITION, SPLENDID OPENING ILLUMINATION; COPY BELONGING TO LUCIEN BONAPARTE

THE EARLIEST PRINTED ACCOUNT OF THE LIFE OF DANTE

The Book:

BRUNUS ARETINUS, Leonardus (1369-1444). Historiae florentini populi, in Italian. Translated from the Latin by Donatus Acciaiuolus. Venice: Jacobus Rubeus, 12 February 1476. FIRST EDITION. Folio. (320 x 230 mm). Collation: a-k10 kk6 l-p10 q12 r-x10 (a1 blank, a2r translator’s prologue, a2v author’s prologue, a3v text, x10r colophon, x10v blank). 218 leaves (inc. first blank). 41 lines. Type 1:110R; Colophon: FINE Delduodecimo & ultimo libro della historia del Popolo Fiorentino composta da Messer Lionardo aretino in latino:Et tradocta īlingua tosca da Donato Acciaioli a di.xxvii.dagosto:Mcccclxxiii. Impresso a Vinegia perlo diligente huomo Maestro Iacomo de Rossi di natione Gallo:Nellanno del Mcccclxxvi.a di xii.di Febraio:Regnante lo inclyto Principe Messer Piero Mozenico. Opening initial M finely illuminated by a contemporary Florentine artist in gold leaf on blue, pink and green ground with white penwork infill, extensive white-vine decoration on blue, pink and green ground flanking a central painted armorial shield (rubbed). 19th century vellum over boards, gilt turn-ins, front board detached, spine detached. COMPLETE, WIDE-MARGINED AND TALL COPY; dampstaining throughout and stains, two pages with old repairs, colophon leaf mounted. HC1562; BMC V, Proctor 4242; Goff B-1247. PROVENANCE: Lucien Bonaparte, Prince Français, 1st Prince of Canino and Musignano (21 May 1775 – 29 June 1840), born Luciano Buonaparte, the third surviving son of Carlo Buonaparte and his wife Letizia Ramolino. and the younger brother of Joseph and Napoleon Bonaparte; Evidently presented by Guilliame Libri, the notorious 19th century book thief who removed items from many Continental libraries; French, Asa Palmer (1860-1935) U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts, 1906-14.; Maggs Bros Cat. #330; 1914. [$28,000]

“Leonardo Bruni’s most notable work is History of the Florentine People, which has been called the first modern history book. Bruni was the first historian to write about the three period view of history: Antiquity, Middle Age, and Modern, a concept from which the term Middle Age was coined by a contemporary Flavio Biondo. The dates Bruni used to define the periods are not exactly what modern historians use today, but he laid the conceptual groundwork for a tripartite division of history. While it probably was not Bruni’s intention to secularize history, the three period view of history is unquestionably secular and for that Bruni has been called the first modern historian.[1] The foundation of Bruni’s conception can be found with Petrarch who had first written, a generation earlier, about a “Dark Age” covering the period from the time of the fall of Rome extending to the time of Petrarch. Bruni and his fellow humanists believed they had reached the end of the Dark Age and were entering a modern period and thus logically called the intervening period a Middle Age.” [Ref: Wikipedia] Included in the chronicle is the earliest printed account of the life of Dante. The printer, Jacobus Rubeus, was a friend of Nicolas Jenson, the famed typographer, and the type employed here model Jensonian typefaces.

November 5, 2009

MAGNIFICENT AND VERY TALL COPY OF THE GREAT RENAISSANCE TOURNAMENT BOOK

PRINTED 1566: ROLL-TOLLED BLINDSTAMPED PIGSKIN WITH CLASPS

121 woodcut scenes of tournaments, including two double-page (repeat)

The Book:

Rüxner, Georg. Thurnier Buch; von Anfang, Vrsachen, Vrsprung vnd Herkommen der Thurnier im Heyligen Römischen Reich Teutscher Nation, wie viel offentlicher Landthurnier von Keyser Heinrich dem Ersten dieses Namens an biss auff den jetztregierenden Keyser Maximilian den Andern … vnd in welchen Stetten die alle gehalten … Alles jetzunder von neuwem zusammen getragen, mit schönen neuwen Figuren, sonderlich auch der adelischen Wappen, auffs schönest zugericht … Published: Franckfurt am Mayn, Getruckt [bey G. Raben in Verlegung S. Feyrabends vnd S. Hüters] 1566. Description: FOLIO. 311 x 200 mm, 3 parts in one volume, [6], ccxliii, [3], [4], lxxxi ℓ. : illus., coats of arms ; A number of the woodcuts are attributed to Jost Amman and signed “I.A.”; other woodcuts signed “H.B.” have been assigned to Hans Bocksperger, but this is doubrful/Contemporary pigskin over wooden boards, roll-tooled in blind, 2 brass fore-edge catches without clasps, remnants of gilt to blindstamped title, slight wear to head of spine and corners, some light browning, a few minor red highlights, some occasional staining and browning. Overall, a very fine COMPLETE copy. Brunet IV:1471; Adams R-877. Provenance: Henning von Bulow Goldenbow von Rodenwalde: bookplate dated 1916  [$12,000]

A MAGNIFICENT AND VERY TALL copy of one of the most important tournament books and certainly the most widely read. This is the third edition, but more importantly, the FIRST ILLUSTRATED BY JOST AMMAN. The new woodcuts are added along with much additional material contained in two further parts, each with its own title page. “The second part describes tournaments and games held at Vienna from 2 May to 24 June in an unspecified year in the 1560s, and part three describes the ceremonial entrance into Binche of Charles V and his sons on 22 August 1549.” (Ref: Christie’s). This edition contains a roster of all the competitors at that very famous Renaissance Tournament.

November 5, 2009

NEWLY DISCOVERED DIPLOMA OF THE INFLUENTIAL 17th CENTURY ITALIAN, LUDOVICO INCONTRI

ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM; CONNECTED WITH GALILEO

Manuscript:

[Illuminated Manuscript in Latin on Vellum] [Ludovico Attilo Incontri] PATENTI NOBILIARI E LAUREE; Diploma di Laurea. Pisa, 1626. 225 x 165 mm. 6 ff., i.e. 10 pages. Illuminated opening coat of arms, illuminated throughout in pure gold lettering, wax seal. Very fine 17th century Italian goatskin binding with elaborate gold tooling. Complete.

This manuscript is a highly important diploma of Ludovico Attilo Incontri. The Incontri Family had its origins in Volterra. Ludovico Attilio Incontri, who eventually settled in Florence after his education in Pisa, held many important roles in 17th century Italian political life. The Palazzo Incontri, which was acquired by the Incontri family in 1676, still stands next to the Duomo in Florence. Ludovico Attilo Incontri was also connected with Galileo’s circle and likely knew him from the rich intellectual milieu of Pisa. Surviving letters between the two show Lodovico Incontri sent Galileo “two flasks of sour cherry wine from La Pietraia”, inviting him to inform His Highness should he desire others. On May 9, 1638, Galileo declared he was willing to visit the Grand Duke who was staying at the villa. [See: Galileo Galilei, Eugenio Albèri, Celestino Bianchi, Vincenzio Viviani., Le opere di Galileo Galilei, Vol. X. Florence, 1853]

Partial Transcript:

“IN DEI NOMINE AMEN: IULIANUS MEDICES, Dei et Apostolicae sedis gratia Archiepiscopus Pisanus, Insularum Sardiniae et Corsicae Primas, et dicte sedis Apostolicae in eis Legatus natus, nec non Pisani Almi Gymnasii Apostolica Cesareaque authoritate Cancellarius; eoque in infrascripto actu absente, NOS BENEDICTUS Leolus Pisanus, I. U. D., Archidiaconus Primatialis Ecclesiae Pisarum Prothonotarius Apostolicus, Vicarius ac Locumtenens generalis ab eo ad infrascripta omnia et singula specialiter constitutus et deputatus; universis et singulis presentes nostras inspecturis salutem in Domino sempiternam. Cum, inter ceteras in toto orbe terrarum venerandas et famosas Academias et clarissimorum Doctorum Universitates, Pisana multis ornamentis et privilegiis honestata maxime fulgeat, in qua etiam ad Doctoratus et Magisterii publicam et eminentem dignitatem, Pontificia et Caesarea authoritate, sublimantur et extolluntur illi quos, longo exercitio, labore, studio, disciplina et ingenio, summis vigiliis, omni denique conatu et nixu, spretis et relictis voluptatum illecebris, se se doctrinae penitus dantes, sacras et pene divinas Canonicam Civilemque scientias adeptos, maximis laudibus ac verissimis testimoniis accurate reperit probatissimos, et quos certamen generalis et rigorosi examinis, coram Nobis et Venerando Iurisconsultorum Collegio, per concurrentem virtutum copiam meritorumque excellentiam ita promovet ut doctoreis infulis, privilegiis, prerogativis, honoribus et dignitatibus veniant decorandi; Cum itaque egregius ac eruditus Vir, moribus modestus, ingenio acatissimus, doctrina preditus et scientiarum cognitione praeclarus, Adm: RDominus Ludovicus Incontrius Patritius Volaterranus Fil per Illustrius Dominus Attilii, Equitis D. Stephanus, ac Prioris Austrie qui, sua florente etate, in caeleberrimo PISANO Gymnasio per quinquennium, assiduis exercitatus vigiliis, in Pontificio et Caesareo sollicitam et curiosam operam iugiter impendit et navavit, scholasticosque actus arguendo, conferendo, disputando et exercendo, de hinc fuerit legittime coram Nobis Vicario et Vicecancellario prefato presentatus per Mag.cos et Eximios Viros, in Utraque Censura Doctores, Excell.mos Dominum … ”

Auction Records for comparison:

1. PATENTI NOBILIARI E LAUREE – Laurea in Diritto Canonico e Civile a Sebastiano Cuzardo. MANOSCRITTO MINIATO SU PERGAMENA, Messina, 1627. 8°. 200 x 145 mm. 4 carte. ($9,395) Sale 2490 libri autografi e stampe 15 June 2006. See: http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=4732877&sid=7359d83a-2022-4897-b704-140b36442f75


2. PATENTI NOBILIARI E LAUREE – Officium et Dignitatem Doctoratus et magisterij in Lib. Art. et Sac.Medicina licentia…Exc.mo D.Ioannes Franciscus Polentzi Silesius Cilcensis. Bologna, 1683. ($16,372) Sale 2475 libri e autografi 15 December 2005 Rome. See: http://www.christies.com/LotFinder/lot_details.aspx?from=searchresults&intObjectID=4637405&sid=7359d83a-2022-4897-b704-140b36442f75