Add MS 8573

PIETRO CIERA: Chronicle of the origins of Venice and its people; 1st half 16th cent. Latin. Imperfect. The chronicle is entitled 'De origine venetorum S.S. et de civitate venetiarum' and according to the author is based on antique annals of the town. The text, divided into four books, starts with the mythical foundation of Venice and other towns in the Veneto region by Antenor of Troy, inc. (f. 7) 'Capta enim Troya non armis sed equo', and breaks off with the names of the consuls for the year 423 A.D., expl. (f. 71) 'Ugo fuscus'. It is preceded by a long preface including the account of the descent of Attila, king of the Huns in 452 A.D., inc. (f. 1) 'Vereor equidem ne arrogantie crimem', expl. (f. 6v) 'urbes Venetie plurimum tenerentur e patavino'. The text is apparently unpublished. The MS. is described by Foligno, anno 5, t. x (1905), pt. i, no. i, p. 95. Marginal notes in purple ink and corrections by the same scribe. Two paper slips with later notes on the antique names of Venice and passages of interest in the text (ff. i and ii). '21' in ink in upper right corner of front pastedown. Armorial bookplate of 5th Earl of Guilford, with shelfmark L/20/C (front pastedown). '46' in pencil in upper left corner of front pastedown. Purchased, together with Add. 8574, 8575 and 8578, from R. H. Evans, 8 Dec. 1830, lot 46 (part).

Paper; ff. 71+ii (two paper slips pasted onto back flyleaf). Leaves missing after f. 68 and probably after f. 6. Old arabic foliation (1-69) in ink in upper right corner. 332 x 243mm. Gatherings mostly of ten leaves with horizontal catchwords. Watermark of an anchor similar to Briquet 493 (Udine, 1524-1530). 18th-century quarter binding of leather with marbled paper covers.