MS. Add. A. 15
Summary Catalogue no.: 24745
Contents
Physical Description
Form: codex
Support: parchment
Extent: ii + 59 leaves
Dimensions (binding): 8.75 × 5.625 in.
Hand(s)
Humanistic script related to that of Jacobus de Machariis of Venice (Pächt and Alexander ii. 555)
Decoration
Pächt and Alexander ii. 555, Pl. LII
Each part has an elaborate capital letter, and several pages bear finely drawn and in various attitudes:
Fine miniatures (coloured drawings)
fol. 1v
- Type miniature
- Subject Nine philosophers seated in a cave; above - figures of two hermits and two monks: above are the phrases 'Qui atendant' and 'viam invenient'
fol. 2r
- Type miniature
- Subject Petrarch and Laura, seated between two trees by a stream
fol. 43r
- Type miniature
- Subject Armoured king kneeling in prayer
fol. 50r
- Type miniature
- Subject Bearded man in long robe pointing to the text
fol. 52r
- Type miniature
- Subject Bearded man in long robe pointing to the text
fol. 52v
- Type miniature
- Subject Two musicians playing pipes
fol. 56r
- Type miniature
- Subject Bearded man in long robe pointing to the text
Fine border
History
Provenance and Acquisition
Purchased by the Bodleian at Sotheby's on 2 April 1859 from the collection of Guillaume Libri. No. 786 in the sale catalogue
Record Sources
Description adapted (May 2025) by Stewart J. Brookes from the Summary Catalogue (1905). Decoration, localization and date follow Pächt and Alexander (1970)
Digital Images
Digital Bodleian (10 images from 35mm slides)
Bibliography
N. Mann, ‘Petrarch Manuscripts in the British Isles’, Italia Medioevale e Umanistica, 18 (1975), pp. 139–527, no. 157 (pp. 357-359)
MSS. Add., handwritten catalogue by F. Madan [Weston Library, shelved at R. 6. 58]
Abbreviations
View list of abbreviations and editorial conventions.
Last Substantive Revision
2025-05-29: Description revised to incorporate all the information in the Summary Catalogue (1905) and other printed sources