The bifolium is from a Psalter transcribed in a formal humanistic minuscule by Pietro Ursuleo of Capua (d. 1483), an accomplished scribe and bishop of Satriano from 1474 to 1483 (appointed to the archbishopric of Santa Severina 22 Feb 1483 until his death in April). 

The bifolium, purchased from Maggs Bros in October 1959, is probably from a Psalter once in the library of John Boykett Jarman (1782-1864), auctioned by Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge 13-14 June 1864 (lot 161). It later passed to London book seller James Tregaskis (1850-1926), and was offered for sale between 1912-1913 (catalogues 717, 720, 743), then in 1916, the manuscript was broken and leaves sold individually (catalogue 777).

Contents: Psalms 43-44, 55-57. Psalm numbers added in the margins in ink in a later hand.

Leaf 1: end ofPsalm 43: 25-26 (closing entreaty to God); Psalm 44: 1-18.

Leaf 2: Psalm 55: 9-13 (opening abruptly at David's strident denunciation of his enemies); Psalm 56: 1-12; opening of Psalm 57: 1-3.

Script: Fine and well-formed humanistic minuscule, slightly clubbed, with generous word separation. Consistent punctuation and  abbreviations confined to commonly occurring words.

Decoration: Psalm openings have 2-line initials painted brown and intertwined with white vine-stem interlace, set against particoloured ground of blue, crimson and green. Versal initials in red or blue alternately, decorated with rose or violet pen work, now faded. Rubrics in red.