De opificio and De ira Dei - Lactantius, approximately 240-approximately 320; Reed, David Aiken, 1880-1953; Lactantius, approximately 240-approximately 320.; Lactantius, approximately 240-approximately 320.; Princeton University. Library ([Verona?, Italy] : [producer not identified])
Script: Humanistica antiqua.
Decoration: Two 7-line gold initials, with white vine-stem decoration in blue, green, and red, outlined blue, fols. 1r and 27r. Books begins with 2- or 3-line epigraphic initials in red or blue. According to A.C. de la Mare, the initials are typical of work from Verona, third quarter of the 15th century.
England, 20th century (?). Signed binding by Rivière & Son, a London bindery active 1840-1939; gold pallet-stamp on the inside front cover (“Bound by Riviere & Son”). Brown morocco over paste-board; gilt edges; sewn on five raised bands; end-bands with secondary sewing in maroon, green, and tan. Spine title: “Lactantius.”
Princeton MS. 88, Manuscripts Division, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.
Edna French Reed
Princeton MS. 88 was probably produced in Verona but is of unknown early provenance. The manuscript was owned by the London merchant James Sotheby (1655-1720) and was in the Sotheby library at Ecton Hall, near Wellingborough, Northamptonshire. The manuscript was in the portion of the Sotheby library sold at Sotheby's, London, on 25 March 1924. At the sale, the manuscript went to the London booksellers P.J. and A.E. Dobell, who then offered the manuscript in their Catalogue 38 (October 1924), no. 6. Senator David Aiken Reed (1880-1953), of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Class of 1900, acquired the manuscript, which was no. 8 in his collection. Reed's name is written in blue ink on the front pastedown. His widow Edna French Reed donated the manuscript to the Princeton University Library in 1953; the manuscript was accessioned in 1955 as AM 15461f.
Keywords: Providence and government of God -- Early works to 1800.; God -- Wrath -- Early works to 1800.; Manuscripts, Latin (Medieval and modern) -- Italy; Manuscripts, Latin (Medieval and modern) -- New Jersey -- Princeton; Illumination of books and manuscripts