Alexander of Villa Die, Doctrinale Puerorum (a Latin grammar in verse), decorated manuscript on parchment [Low Countries, fourteenth century] Near-complete bifolium, reused as a binding (trimmed at base), each leaf with remains of single column, 29 lines in a good and legible late gothic hand in leonine hexameters, capitals touched in red and set off in margin in medieval fashion for verse, two larger red initials with crude foliate infill in black pen, some early marginalia in Flemish or Dutch, small holes and stains from reuse in binding, outer side darkened and with penmarks and a spine label, but overall fair and legible, 210 by 163 mm. (written space: 180 by 100 mm.) From the collection of Johan Arnold Dortmund (1912-88), founder of the Schriftsmuseum, University of Amsterdam; his sale Sotheby’s, 7 December 1992, part of lot 5. Alexander of Villedieu (c. 1170-1240) was a Norman, who rose to prominence in the University of Paris. The present work was his magnum opus, a grammar of Latin, drawing on Priscian and Donatus, entirely set in verse. It was written in 1199 while he was a private tutor to the young relatives of the bishop of Dol.
Alexander of Villa Die, Doctrinale Puerorum (a Latin grammar in verse), decorated manuscript on parchment [Low Countries, fourteenth century] Near-complete bifolium, reused as a binding (trimmed at base), each leaf with remains of single column, 29 lines in a good and legible late gothic hand in leonine hexameters, capitals touched in red and set off in margin in medieval fashion for verse, two larger red initials with crude foliate infill in black pen, some early marginalia in Flemish or Dutch, small holes and stains from reuse in binding, outer side darkened and with penmarks and a spine label, but overall fair and legible, 210 by 163 mm. (written space: 180 by 100 mm.) From the collection of Johan Arnold Dortmund (1912-88), founder of the Schriftsmuseum, University of Amsterdam; his sale Sotheby’s, 7 December 1992, part of lot 5. Alexander of Villedieu (c. 1170-1240) was a Norman, who rose to prominence in the University of Paris. The present work was his magnum opus, a grammar of Latin, drawing on Priscian and Donatus, entirely set in verse. It was written in 1199 while he was a private tutor to the young relatives of the bishop of Dol.
Try LotSearch and its premium features for 7 days - without any costs!
Be notified automatically about new items in upcoming auctions.
Create an alert
