An elegant original leaf from a medieval manuscript pocket Bible, written in Italy (probably Bologna), c. 1250. Presented in a leather bound leaf book with a six-page essay by Bruce Ferrini. Limited edition number 27 of 1000; Published in Akron, Ohio, 1994. (Leaf Size: 197x130mm – 7 7/8 x 5 ¼ inches. Book Size: 230x158mm – 9 x 6.25 inches)
An attractive and historical medieval Bible leaf in nice condition, handsomely presented. It is from a “portable” Bible during the period of the Crusades, and would have been used in the abstract study of theology or the preaching of the Gospel around the medieval countryside. The binding was custom made in full stamped leather in medieval style by Thistle Binders, Chicago.
This leaf is written in Latin rotunda gothic script, ruled in red & written in brown ink in two columns of 50 lines on animal vellum. Rubricated chapter numbers, two multi-lined illuminated Lombard style initials & elegant marginalia in red & blue. The gothic text is written in extremely tiny & very well formed letters – so small that there are ten lines of text to the inch!
Line one continues Luke 7:32 – 9:16: “Cantavimus…” (We have piped to you, and you have not danced…And standing behind at his feet, she began to wash his feet, with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment…Many sins are forgiven her, because she hath loved much,,,Thy faith hath made thee safe, go in peace…She came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment; and immediately the issue of her blood stopped…Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole…and he sent them [apostles] to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick…And taking the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed them…”
Provenance: Ex-collection Otto Ege (1888-1951). Dean of Cleveland Institute of Art & Lecturer on History of the Book at Western Reserve University & Northwestern University. Ege increased awareness of the history of the book through the dissemination of individual pages to schools, libraries, calligraphers and printers. (Sister leaves are # 11 in the Portfolio of Fifty Original Leaves (Gwara HL11) – see Cary Collection - Rochester Institute (online example) and other museums.
