May 1, 2024 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
39
The Etymologiae of St. Isidore in early manuscript
ST. ISIDORE OF SEVILLE
Etymologiae. Possibly French: likely first or second quarter of the 14th century. Retaining the rear wooden board (traces of the leather covering at the edges), else disbound, housed in a cloth clamshell case. 8 1/8 x 5 1/2 inches (21 x 14 cm); 187 ff. written in Latin in a gothic bookhand, 41 lines to the page on heavy vellum in brown-black ink; headings, paragraph marks, rubrics and initials in red and blue throughout, some of the initials with elaborate penwork ornament extending into the margins, occasionally with grotesque finials (see book 18). As noted, lacking the front board and spine. The manuscript lacks the first signature of the first chapter De Grammatica (only one separated leaf remains), and several other leaves are detached from the binding, with leaves 73, 135, and 136 lacking substantial portions of text and at least one other leaf substantially defective. There is some soiling, staining and minor cockling, and the vellum used was not of the highest quality, so there are occasional holes that the scribe has avoided. Two pieces of manuscript binders's waste are retained in the case.
The Etymologiae is one of the earliest attempts to compile an encyclopedia of universal knowledge, based on the writers of classical antiquity. Isidore died in 636, and his work (copied after his death) circulated widely in manuscript for the next thousand years. The work is divided into twenty books, all present here, though several are defective (the first most notably). These are as follows:
Sold for $51,200
Estimated at $5,000 - $8,000
Includes Buyer's Premium
ST. ISIDORE OF SEVILLE
Etymologiae. Possibly French: likely first or second quarter of the 14th century. Retaining the rear wooden board (traces of the leather covering at the edges), else disbound, housed in a cloth clamshell case. 8 1/8 x 5 1/2 inches (21 x 14 cm); 187 ff. written in Latin in a gothic bookhand, 41 lines to the page on heavy vellum in brown-black ink; headings, paragraph marks, rubrics and initials in red and blue throughout, some of the initials with elaborate penwork ornament extending into the margins, occasionally with grotesque finials (see book 18). As noted, lacking the front board and spine. The manuscript lacks the first signature of the first chapter De Grammatica (only one separated leaf remains), and several other leaves are detached from the binding, with leaves 73, 135, and 136 lacking substantial portions of text and at least one other leaf substantially defective. There is some soiling, staining and minor cockling, and the vellum used was not of the highest quality, so there are occasional holes that the scribe has avoided. Two pieces of manuscript binders's waste are retained in the case.
The Etymologiae is one of the earliest attempts to compile an encyclopedia of universal knowledge, based on the writers of classical antiquity. Isidore died in 636, and his work (copied after his death) circulated widely in manuscript for the next thousand years. The work is divided into twenty books, all present here, though several are defective (the first most notably). These are as follows:
Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, May 1, 2024
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Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on May 1, 2024 Totals $1.2 Million
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A Medieval Manuscript Rules of St. Augustine Achieves $102k
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Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
NEW YORK, NY -- Competitive bidding at Doyle’s May 1, 2024 auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps drove strong prices and a sale total that topped $1.2 million, surpassing expectations.
Featured in the sale was a fascinating selection of early manuscripts that achieved exceptional results. Highlighting the group was a 14th century manuscript of the Rules of St. Augustine from an English priory that soared over its $8,000-12,000 estimate to realize a stunning $102,100. The Rule of St. Augustine is among the earliest of all monastic rules, created about 400, and it was an influence on all that succeeded it. Other notable results included a 14th century Etymologiae of St. Isidore estimated at $5,000-8,000 that achieved $51,200 and a 15th century Prayer Book of Jehan Bernachier estimated at $10,000-15,000 that sold for $28,800.
A first edition of John James Audubon's octavo Birds of America sold for $41,600, far over its $25,000-35,000 estimate. Published in 1840-1844 in seven volumes, the first octavo edition was the final Birds of America publication overseen by Audubon in his lifetime.
The Fred Rotondaro Collection offered rare books and manuscripts on a range of subjects touching the African American experience in the United States over three centuries. A first edition copy of Frederick Douglass’ 1876 speech at the unveiling of the Freedman's Monument in Washington realized $12,800, far exceeding its $3,000-5,000 estimate. A first edition of the first issue of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin from 1852 also achieved $12,800.
Highlighting the range of offerings from the Ken Harte Collection of Natural History was a first edition Richard Bowdler Sharpe’s beautifully illustrated monograph of Kingfishers, 1868-71, that sold for $14,080, doubling its $6,000-8,000 estimate. It was accompanied by an inscribed copy of the rare unfinished chapter on the anatomy of the kingfisher by James Murie.
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Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
For information, please contact Peter Costanzo at 212-427-4141 ext 248, Edward Ripley-Duggan at ext 234, or Noah Goldrach at ext 226, or email Books@Doyle.com
