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Add MS 88887
- Record Id:
- 032-000179016
- Hierarchy Root Ancestor Record Id:
- 032-000179016
- MDARK:
- ark:/81055/vdc_100000000035.0x000046
- LARK:
- SLARK:
- Format:
- ISAD(G)
- Reference (shelfmark):
- Add MS 88887
- Title:
- Patterns or models of alphabets and borders (the 'Macclesfield Alphabet Book')
- Scope & Content:
-
Contents:
A collection of 14 different sets of specimen initials or letters in alphabetical order in Gothic script of the 15th century, with later additions in Humanistic script of the early 16th century (ff. 7r-7v, 13r-14v, 21v-22r). A list of names each beginning with a different letter of the alphabet from Adam to Zacharias, including several names of English origin (f. 1v) and a prayer (f. 2r), both samples of Gothic textura script with spaces left for initials. Patterns for decorative borders. The work was perhaps used by artists for the transmission of ideas to assistants, or as a sample book to show potential customers.
Decoration:
Initials are in ink or in colours, some with with zoomorphic or anthropomorphic decoration including grotesques (ff. 3r-6v, 8v, 10r, 13r-20v), some with cadels (f. 9r), foliate or pen-flourished decoration. Drawing of an uprooted tree with a shield inscribed 'R.B. (f. 9v). An emblem, perhaps a rebus in colours with gold with three flowers and two gold gloves hanging down and the word 'cli[m]i[n]g' or 'ch[ar]i[n]g' beneath (see de Hamel The Macclesfield alphabet book : BL Additional MS 88887, p. 21) and with a smaller ink sketch of the same emblem on the same page (f. 46r). Sketches and drawings (f. 8v); full or partial borders with initials (ff. 27r-41v); painted border panels in colours with gold, perhaps added in the 16th century (ff. 43r-46v).
- Collection Area:
- Western Manuscripts
- Project / Collection:
- Additional Manuscripts
- Hierarchy Tree:
- [{ "id" : "032-000179016", "parent" : "#", "text" : "Add MS 88887: Patterns or models of alphabets and borders (the 'Macclesfield Alphabet Book')" , "li_attr" : {"class": "orderable"} }]
- Hierarchy Record Ids:
- 032-000179016
- Is part of:
- not applicable
- Hierarchy:
- 032-000179016
- Container:
- not applicable
- Record Type (Level):
- Fonds
- Extent:
-
A parchment codex.
- Digitised Content:
- http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts/FullDisplay.aspx?ref=Add_MS_88887 (digital images currently unavailable)
- Thumbnail:
-
- Languages:
- Latin
- Scripts:
- Latin
- Start Date:
- 1475
- End Date:
- 1525
- Date Range:
- 1475-1525
- Era:
- CE
- Access:
- Restrictions to access apply please consult British Library staff
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- User Conditions:
-
Letter of introduction required to use this manuscript.
- Physical Characteristics:
-
Materials: Parchment.
Dimensions: 250 x 175/170 mm (text space 160/200 x 115mm).
Foliation: ff. 46 (+ 6 unfoliated paper flyleaves at the beginning and 6 at the end; f. 22 is affixed to a paper leaf).
Collation: i8 (ff. 1-8); ii6 (ff. 9-14); iii8 (ff. 15-22); iv4 (ff. 23-26); v-vi8 (ff. 27-42); vii4 (ff. 43-46).
Script: Gothic and humanistic.
Binding: Post-1600. Brown calf leather with marbled end-papers.
- Custodial History:
-
Origin: England
Provenance:
? Friar Baldry, perhaps Roger Baldry of the Cluniac priory of St Mary of Thetford, Norfolk (prior 1503-c.1518): inscribed '[Fryer] Baldry' (f. 1r); and 'RB' in a shield pendent from a tree (f. 9v) (see de Hamel The Macclesfield alphabet book : BL Additional MS 88887, pp. 15,16).
George Coppin, possibly Sir George Coppin, Clerk of the Crown and Chancery Courts, knighted in July 1603, inscribed (ff. 1r, 9r, 33r, 46r) [visible under ultraviolet light].
Francis Blyths: inscribed 'fran[n]cis blyths': 16th-century (f. 33v).
The Earls of Macclesfield, Shirburn Castle: bookplate with their arms and motto ‘Sapere aude’ (f. [ii]).
Purchased from Maggs Bros. Ltd. in 2009 with the assistance of the Art Fund (with a contribution from the Wolfson Foundation), major support from The National Heritage Memorial Fund, together with donations from the Friends of the British Library, Friends of the National Libraries, the Breslauer Bequest and numerous individual benefactors.
- Former Internal References:
- Deposit 10536
- Source of Acquisition:
- Purchased from Maggs Bros. Ltd. in 2009 with the assistance of the Art Fund (with a contribution from the Wolfson Foundation), major support from The National Heritage Memorial Fund, together with donations from the Friends of the British Library, Friends of the National Libraries, the Breslauer Bequest and numerous individual benefactors.
- Information About Copies:
-
Full digital coverage available for this manuscript: see Digitised Manuscripts at http://www.bl.uk/manuscripts.
- Publications:
-
Christopher de Hamel, ‘The Baldry Pattern Book’, in Tributes to Kathleen L. Scott: English Medieval Manuscripts and their Readers, ed. by Marlene Villalobos Hennessy (Turnhout, 2009), pp 21-30.
The Macclesfield alphabet book : BL Additional MS 88887 with an introduction by Christopher De Hamel and Patricia Lovett (London : British Library, 2010) [facsimile edition].
- Material Type:
- Archives and Manuscripts
- Legal Status:
- Not Public Record(s)