Details

Subject(s)

• Arithmetic—Early works to 1800 [Browse]
• Manuscripts, Latin (Medieval and modern)—England [Browse]
• Manuscripts, Latin (Medieval and modern)—New Jersey—Princeton [Browse]

Former owner

• Deys, William, active 15th century [Browse]
• Swan, David, active 18th century [Browse]
• Kane, Grenville, 1854-1943 [Browse]

Bookseller

• Christie, Manson & Woods [Browse]
• Maggs Bros [Browse]

Related name

• Princeton University. Library. Manuscript. Kane MS. 50. [Browse]

Rare books genre

• Parchment (Paper) [Browse]

Getty AAT genre

• scientific illustrations (images) [Browse]
• illuminated manuscripts [Browse]
• decorated initials [Browse]
• tables (documents) [Browse]

Summary note

Boethius' arithmetical treatise with diagrams.

Notes

• Incipit: “Anicii Manlii Severini Boethii Exconsulis Ordinarii Patricii Liber Primus Incipit Institutionum Arithmeticorum dictus Domino Suo Patricio Simacho Boethius. In Dandis Accipiendisque Muneribus ita recte officia inter eos praecipue qui sese magni faciunt estimantur…”
• Explicit: “…huius autem descripcionis subter exemplar subietimus.”
• Ms. codex.
• Collation: Parchment ; fol. i (paper) + ii (parchment) + p. 75 + fol. ii (parchment) + i (paper) ; paginated in ink.
• Layout: 26 long lines per page ; ruled.
• Decoration: Preface opens with a 16-line gold initial I, decorated, with green and red, on blue ground; followed by two lines written in gold capitals on green or red ground. Book II begins on p. 63 with a 6-line gold initial S, decorated, on blue ground, followed by two words written in gold capitals, on green or red ground. 2- or 3-line initials, primarily in blue or red, with flourishes. Includes numerous arithmetic and geometric diagrams drawn and captioned in green and red, less often in light blue and ochre.
• Origin: English.

Binding note

Modern binding. United States, 20th century. Rebound after 1936 by the James MacDonald Bindery, New York. Quarter brown goatskin and brown linen over pasteboard.

Language note

Latin;

Script

Protogothic.

Provenance

Unknown early provenance. Owned by William Deys in the 15th century, and by David Swan in 1793. Intermediate provenance unknown. Later in the collection of "Miss Muir" until being sold on 12 April 1915 at a Christie's sale to benefit the British Red Cross where it was purchased by the bookseller Maggs Bros. Grenville Kane acquired the manuscript at an unknown date. The Kane Collection was acquired by the Princeton University Library from Kane's heirs in February 1946.

References

Medieval & Renaissance manuscripts in the Princeton University Library, volume 2, pages 114-115.

Place name(s)

England.

Other title(s)

Boethius ms.

Title from print catalog

• De arithmetica

OCLC

1104157170

Statement on language in description

Princeton University Library aims to describe library materials in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections we manage. Read more...