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Leaf 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 Library acquired the leaf in 1966 from the estate of Sydney photographer and avid bibliophile Colin B. Berckelman. Prior ownership not known. A seller's code M/15/I/124 written in pencil on the verso, lower right corner.
The leaf 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: Two verses (incomplete) from Isaiah 38: 18-20, followed by a canticle celebrating St Anne (Kings I 2:1-10) and opening verse of a canticle celebrating Moses (Exodus 15: 1-).
Decoration: The canticles are introduced with two-line initials in burnished gold intertwined with white vine-stem interlace set against particoloured ground of blue, crimson and green. 16 one-line initials illuminated in gold or blue alternately, decorated with pen work, now faded. Rubrics in brown ink.
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Sydney, The University of Sydney Library, Rare Books and Special Collections, Add. Ms. 7, recto_University_of_Sydney_Library_Add_Ms_7 – Psalter with Passion readings — https://fragmentarium.ms/view/page/F-ctah/3637/49975/0