iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

New acquisition just in time for today: 1st ed. of the works of St. Patrick, edited by Sir James Ware (1594-1666), London: John Crook, 1656, w/ Patrick's Confessio & Epistola to the soldiers of Coroticus & the canons of the Synodis Patricia and various other synodal decrees Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 12/03/2025

Excited to introduce the first of our two newest #MedievalManuscript codices at Ohio State: Fantastic mid-15th century pastoral miscellany, complete w/ a dazzling illustration of the Scarlet Beast of the Apocalypse! We're still determining the complete contents of the thick MS, but included are: 1/6

Illustration of the Scarlet Beast of the Apocalypse, complete with a man-headed tail, in a mid-15th century collection of pastoral and assorted works. Ohio State University, Rare Books & Manuscripts Library, Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Cod.97.

Schematic diagrams of the deadly sins facing an illustration of the Scarlet Beast of the Apocalypse in a mid-15th century collection of pastoral and assorted works. Ohio State University, Rare Books & Manuscripts Library, Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Cod.97.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 06/03/2025

This was not a sign we needed when I first got to Ohio State and started figuring out how to grow our #MedievalManuscripts collection. A fun concern we now deal with...

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 28/02/2025

Superb #ManuscriptFragment at Ohio State: an 11th-century Italian Homiliary, w/ sermon on Luke 5:17-26 on Jesus's miraculous cures, w/ a lovely decorated initial "D". Previously owned by Bernard Rosenthal &, later, Martin Schøyen. #fragmentology Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Frag.472 #MedievalManuscripts

Decorated initial "D" with white vinework elements in an 11th-century Homiliary manuscript from Italy now at the Ohio State University's Rare Books & Manuscripts Library.

Recto side of a manuscript leaf from an 11th-century Homiliary manuscript from Italy now at the Ohio State University's Rare Books & Manuscripts Library.

Verso side of a manuscript leaf from an 11th-century Homiliary manuscript from Italy now at the Ohio State University's Rare Books & Manuscripts Library.

Detail of text from an 11th-century Homiliary manuscript from Italy now at the Ohio State University's Rare Books & Manuscripts Library.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

One of my favorite #ManuscriptFragments in Ohio State's collection: bifolium once recycled as a pastedown w/ text from Adam of Aldersbach's Summula Pauperum, ca. 1300, w/ glosses in multiple hands covering topics like menstruation, wives, the status of priests and sacraments ##fragmentology

Bifolium from a ca. 1300 manuscript of Adam of Aldersbach's Summula Pauperum. Ohio State University Rare Books & Manuscripts Library, Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Frag.419.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

Just finished teaching about Don Quixote & printing through the centuries, including great stuff from OSU's collections, from our 1605 edition, to modern children's adaptations, 19th- & 20th-century trade ephemera, and one of my favorite items: the 2005 Quechua edition set in the Andes. Fun time!

Illustrated, chromolithographed trade card produced for the Au Bon Marche department store in Paris, depicting Don Quixote tilting at windmills.

Page opening from the 2005 Quechua translation of Don Quixote, with illustrations showing Don Quixote amidst an Andean landscape.

Title page of Ohio State's copy of a 1605 printing of Don Quixote.

Illustrations from a children's adaptations of Don Quixote illustrated by H. Le Monnier, printed in 1964.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

Another new #ManuscriptFragment just acquired by Ohio State: folio from the late-13th century Peter Lombard MS I posted about earlier, this one w/ text from Bk. IV, Dist. 14-15. I love the informal beastie faces added to descenders at the bottom of the text block. #fragmentology #MedievalManuscripts

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

Newest #ManuscriptFragment at Ohio State: folio, once recycled as a binding fragment, from John of Bologna's Quaestiones de Anima Humana, produced in Italy, 14th century. The leaf once belonged to the famous bibliographer, A. N. L. Munby #fragmentology #MedievalManuscript Spec.Rare.MS.MR.524

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 21/02/2025

Pop-up exhibition of travel and exploration materials at my library to correspond with today's Ohio State Center for Medieval & Renaissance Studies symposium on the maritime humanities. From cartography and pilgrimage, to legal statutes, navigational aids, and pirates!

Manuscript map of the Dead Sea and environs, added to a 15th-century French book of hours.

Engraved ng of a pirate battle at see in Alexandre Olivier Exquemelin's Bucaniers of America, 1684-1685.

Page opening in a 15th-century manuscript compilation of late-antique and early-medieval geographical treatises

Snapshot of some of the many rare materials on display for the maritime humanities in the Middle Ages and Renaissance symposium at the Ohio State University.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 19/02/2025

Discovered this in the stacks last week; it was acquired in 1989 but never catalogued: Sebastian Münster's 16thC "Die neuwen inseln...", the first map to show the Americas in their (approximately) true continental forms (& the 1st printed map to show Japan--immediately to the left of North America).

Sebastian Münster's Die neuwen inseln, a 16th-century map depicting the Americas, Japan, and the continental edges of Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Detail of Sebastian Münster's Die neuwen inseln depicting North and Central America, with Japan off the west.

Detail of Sebastian Münster's Die neuwen inseln depicting South America.

Detail of Sebastian Münster's Die neuwen inseln depicting Magellan's flagship.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

Yet another new #OttoEge #ManuscriptFragment find in a private Ohio collection: leaf from a lectern Bible (HL 44) produced in Germany or Bohemia, 1507; text from IV (II) Kings 11:18-13:14. Ege incorporated sister leaves as MS 44 in his famous 50 Original Leaves portfolio. #fragmentology

Detail of handwriting, with a large decorative initial in blue and rubricated text in red, from a lectern Bible manuscript produced in Bohemia or Germany in 1507.

Detail of handwriting, with a large decorative initial and rubricated text in red, from a lectern Bible manuscript produced in Bohemia or Germany in 1507.

Parchment folio from a lectern Bible manuscript produced in Bohemia or Germany in 1507, preserving text from IV (II) Kings 11:18-13:14.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

Another new Otto Ege #MedievalManuscript find in a private Ohio collection: leaf from an Italian pocket Bible (HL 11), one of the MSS included in the Fifty Original Leaves portfolio. Text = Isaiah 43:13-44:19. #fragmentology #ManuscriptFragment #OttoEge

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 10/02/2025

Inspired by a research request today, here are OSU's 2 folios from the so-called Breviary of Bertrand de Chalençon, Bishop of Rodez from 1457-1495. Later owned by Louis de Rochebaron, Duke of Aumont (1709-82). #ManuscriptFragment #BookHistory #fragmentology #provenance #MedievalManuscripts

Detail of a folio from a 15th-century book of hours showing a historiated initial depicting a medieval bishop. Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Frag.396

Illuminated folio from a 15th-century book of Hours. Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Frag.396

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

New add to Ohio State RBML's collection: #ManuscriptFragment from a late-15th century Rouen Book of Hours w/ text from the end of Matins & opening of Lauds w/ an illumination of the marriage of Mary & Joseph. Nifty bird in the margins, too. #MedievalManuscript #fragmentology Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Frag.509

Illuminated leaf from a late-15th century French Book of Hours with an illumination of the marriage of Mary and Joseph at the top of the page.

Illuminated leaf from a late-15th century French Book of Hours, featuring a close up of an illuminated bird in the folio's margin.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Nice #ManuscriptFragment find in Ohio: leaf from a ca. 1300 copy of De Judiciis Astrologiae by the 11th-century Tunisian astrologer Haly Abenragel (Abu I-Hasan Ali ibn Abi I-Rijal). The leaf was recycled as a binding support in a later, now unknown, book. #fragmentology #MedievalScience

Recto of a manuscript folio of the De Judiciis Astrologiae by the 11th-century Tunisian astrologer Haly Abenragel (Abu I-Hasan Ali ibn Abi I-Rijal).

Verso of a manuscript folio of the De Judiciis Astrologiae by the 11th-century Tunisian astrologer Haly Abenragel (Abu I-Hasan Ali ibn Abi I-Rijal).

Nifty reader-added maniculum (pointing hand) indicating an important passage of text in a manuscript folio of the De Judiciis Astrologiae by the 11th-century Tunisian astrologer Haly Abenragel (Abu I-Hasan Ali ibn Abi I-Rijal).

Detail of handwritten text in a manuscript folio of the De Judiciis Astrologiae by the 11th-century Tunisian astrologer Haly Abenragel (Abu I-Hasan Ali ibn Abi I-Rijal).

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

Yesterday's program on the Luxeuil Prophets #ManuscriptFragment attended by over 45 people--including the leaf's owner--was such a success, and our student presenter, Jessica Crabtree, did such a good job that the fragment's owner donated this early-8th century treasure to Ohio State on the spot!

An early-8th century manuscript leaf from the so-called Luxeuil Prophets, featuring text from the biblical book of Daniel, chapter 3.

Detail of script in an early-8th century manuscript leaf from the so-called Luxeuil Prophets, featuring text from the biblical book of Daniel, chapter 3.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Just arranged for the acquisition of 3 new #MedievalManuscript codices for Ohio State. Details and images to come in due course, but some key words to whet your appetites: Occitan. Diagrams. Sicily. 7-headed beast of the Apocalypse. Architecture. Classical literature. Can't wait to receive these!

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

If you're in Columbus today: Join us for a special lecture by OSU grad student Jessica Crabtree, "An 8th-Century Manuscript in Ohio: Examining the Daniel Fragment of the Luxeuil Prophets," focusing on a superb #ManuscriptFragment loaned to us last fall for use in our Manuscript Studies course.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

Exciting pair of fols. from a German Choir Psalter produced for use at St. Stephen's Abbey in Würzburg in 1499 by the scribe Mattheus Hartung, w/ 19thC ownership by Leander van Ess & Sir Thomas Phillipps, & later broken by Otto Ege (HL 42). #fragmentology #MedievalManuscripts #ManuscriptFragments

Recto sides of a pair of manuscript folios from a late-15th century German Choir Psalter.

Verso sides of a pair of manuscript folios from a late-15th century German Choir Psalter.

Detail picture of script on a late-15th century Choir Psalter produced in Würzburg, Germany, with musical notation and decorative initials in red and blue.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

First trip across the harbor and nabbed this image of the Vancouver skyline with a lovely, cloud-distorted sun overhead.

Vancouver skyline from across the harbor in North Vancouver.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

Another recent NE Ohio #ManuscriptFragment find: leaf from an illuminated pocket Bible, Paris, ca. 1250, broken by Bruce Ferrini & associates in the early 1980s, this leaf w/ Mark 15:21-16:20 & the prologue text for Luke, w/ a pair of lovely inhabited initials. #fragmentology #MedievalManuscripts

Pair of illuminated initials in a mid-13th century Parisian pocket Bible manuscript.

Folio from a mid-13th century Parisian pocket Bible manuscript with text from the Gospel of Mark.

Folio from a mid-13th century Parisian pocket Bible manuscript with text from the Gospel of Mark and the prologue to the Gospel of Luke.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 27/12/2024

Leaf from a ca. 1250 English pocket Bible, another #MedievalManuscript broken by Bruce Ferrini in the early-1980s; this fol. w/ text from John 9:36-12:15, complete w/ nifty large hole of split scar tissue and a lengthy provenance w/ known owners back to the 16th century #fragmentology

Folio from a mid-13th century English pocket Bible manuscript with text in two columns from the Gospel of John 9:36-12:15, with a large hole of split scar tissue at the lower left corner, and with numerous scribal corrections and textual annotations and references in the margins, some of them framed in red.

Detail of text from a mid-13th century English pocket Bible manuscript with text from the Gospel of John with numerous scribal corrections and textual annotations and references in the margins, some of them framed in red.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 23/12/2024

Another NE Ohio #ManuscriptFragments find: pair of fols. from a ca. 1230-40 English Bible w/ parallel text of Jerome's Latin translations of the Psalms from the Hebrew and Gallican (Greek) versions & textual variants from the Old Latin alongside & from IIII Kings #MedievalManuscripts #fragmentology

Pair of leaves from a so-called manuscript "scholar's Bible," produced in England (poss. London), ca. 1230-40, one from the original volume's tripartite Psalms and the other from IIII Kings.

Detailed picture of a leaf from a so-called manuscript "scholar's Bible," produced in England (poss. London), ca. 1230-40 showing parallel text of Jerome's Latin translations of the Psalms from the Hebrew and Gallican (Greek) versions alongside textual variations from the Old Latin version.

Detailed picture of a leaf from a so-called manuscript "scholar's Bible," produced in England (poss. London), ca. 1230-40 showing text from IIII Kings, along with old marginal chapter numbers and revised chapter numbers added in green.

Picture of a leaf from a so-called manuscript "scholar's Bible," produced in England (poss. London), ca. 1230-40 showing parallel text of Jerome's Latin translations of the Psalms from the Hebrew and Gallican (Greek) versions alongside textual variations from the Old Latin version.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

4 #MedievalManuscript folios from a 14th-century illuminated English Psalter once owned by Thomas Huckell Lee, Justice of the Peace for the county of Devon (died in 1822), & possibly his father, Matthew(?). Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Frag.392 #ProvenanceHistory #fragmentology #ManuscriptFragments #BookHistory

Recto sides of four Illuminated folios from a small-format illuminated Book of Hours produced in England in the 14th-century.

Verso sides of four Illuminated folios from a small-format illuminated Book of Hours produced in England in the 14th-century.

Detailed image of a small head added in an initial on a folio from a small-format illuminated Book of Hours produced in England in the 14th-century.

19th-century signatures of Thomas Huckell Lee and his father M(Matthew?) Lee added at the top of a folio from a small-format illuminated Book of Hours produced in England in the 14th-century.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 16/12/2024

More NE Ohio fragment finds from last Friday, this time #OttoEge #ManuscriptFragments: loose folios from Fifty Original Leaves from Famous MSS: HLs 3, 14, 25, & 26. With any luck all these will be donated at some point. In the meantime, having photos fills in some gaps #fragmentology #OhioMSS

A manuscript folio from a codex dismembered by Otto Ege to produce the Fifty Original Leaves from Famous MSS portfolio, this one from a mid-12th century Italian Lectionary with a large blue and red decorated initial (HL 3).

A manuscript folio from a codex dismembered by Otto Ege to produce the Fifty Original Leaves from Famous MSS portfolio, this one from an illuminated lectern Bible produced ca. 1325 (HL 14).

A manuscript folio from a codex dismembered by Otto Ege to produce the Fifty Original Leaves from Famous MSS portfolio, this one from a mid-14th century Book of Hours (HL 25).

A manuscript folio from a codex dismembered by Otto Ege to produce the Fifty Original Leaves from Famous MSS portfolio, this one from a mid-15th century Missal produced for the Use of Rouen (HL 26).

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 15/12/2024

Closing a week filled with #MedievalManuscripts, from finding #ManuscriptFragments to cataloguing, administering & grading a final exam for the MSS Studies course, securing new MSS from donors, & marking essays, with a return to the wee days of my youth by visiting w/ Quiet Riot. All is well.

Picture of the metal band Quiet Riot on stage in Columbus, OH.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 14/12/2024

As promised yesterday, here are some of the Bruce Ferrini-broken illuminated #ManuscriptFragments that turned up in NE Ohio yesterday: Delft Book of Hours in Dutch, the so-called "St. Alexius Hours", and a 13thC Psalter. #MedievalManuscripts #fragmentology #OhioMSS #IlluminatedManuscripts

A manuscript folio from the so-called "St. Alexius Hours," a ca. 1460 French Book of Hours with exceptional illumination on each page.

A lovely 15th-century Dutch illuminated Book of Hours folio from Delft depicting Pentecost in a historiated initial "H", and a speaking figure set in the decorated border.

Folio from a deluxe 13th-century illuminated Psalter featuring a painted initial "B" on gold grounds inhabited by a gesturing queen or king. One of the decorated penwork line fillers depicts a blue and red goose.

Folio from a deluxe 13th-century illuminated Psalter featuring a painted initial "N" on gold grounds inhabited by a laborer wielding an axe and a bull by his side. A decorated line fillers at the top features a dragon while another towards the middle of the page shows a golden goose

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 13/12/2024

Visiting Akron & Cleveland today for a new round of chasing #MedievalManuscripts broken by Bruce Ferrini. Will post pics of some of the many MSS (w/ Otto Ege stuff, too) I turned up in various basements & living rooms soon, but for now here are pics of the last house Ferrini lived in #fragmentology

One of the homes of a notorious NE Ohio book-breaker, complete with many inflatable Christmas decorations on display in the front yard.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 12/12/2024

My cat Olive either loves heat lamps on cold winter nights or thinks she's a Nazgul and worships Sauron. #cats #FelinePerfection #LOTR #MinionOfSauron

Olive, the world's best cat, warming herself before a heat lamp on a cold winter's night.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 11/12/2024

Densely annotated copy of the De viris illustribus attributed to Suetonius, printed in Strasbourg by Matthias Schurerius, 1517. Reader-added commentary in margins & interlinear spaces, & on tipped-in scraps of paper, too! With many doodle-faces added in initials #marginalia #BookHistory New at OSU!

Densely annotated early-16th century copy of the De viris illustribus attributed to Suetonius, with reader-added doodles of faces drawn inside large initials.

Densely annotated early-16th century copy of the De viris illustribus attributed to Suetonius, with additional glossing added on a tipped-in scraps of paper.

Densely annotated early-16th century copy of the De viris illustribus attributed to Suetonius.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 10/12/2024

Final exam for my MSS Studies course underway, including on-the-spot work with these two #ManuscriptFragments Each student receives a pair of leaves from the same #MedievalManuscripts for comparative script and codicological analysis and assessment. #fragmentology

Pair of medieval manuscript leaves, the one the left from a 12th-century copy of Gregory the Great's XL Homiliae and the one on the right from a mid-13th century pocket Bible.

Picture of a manuscript folio from a 12th-century copy of Gregory the Great's XL Homiliae.

Picture of a manuscript folio from a mid-13th century pocket Bible.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 09/12/2024

Ugly #ManuscriptFragment alert!: very large Antiphonal folio cutting pasted to the cover of a metal box designed to look like a large book. MS includes chants and music for Matins on the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin. Recent pick-up for our teaching artifact collection. #fragmentology

Picture of a large choir book manuscript folio pasted to the lid of an oversized metal box.

Picture of the inside of a large metal box that has a recycled music manuscript leaf pasted to its front cover.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 07/12/2024

In-home visit with a donor today yielded a clutch of new #ManuscriptFragments for my library with more, apparently, to come in a week or so. All in all, it'll be a nice assembly of liturgical & devotional #MedievalManuscripts Lots of good teaching material here! #fragmentology #BindingFragments

Group of medieval manuscript fragments, including leaves from a pair of Missals, an antiphonal, a Psalter, and a Book of Hours.

Three medieval manuscript folios, including a leaf from a Book of Hours with text from the life of St. Isabella of France and a pair of Psalter leaves.

Half of a medieval manuscript leaf from a Missal, once cut in half and recycled as a later binding component.

A pair of large format medieval manuscript folios, each heavily damaged after being recycled and used as components of later book bindings. On the left is folio from a choir book and on the right a folio from a German Missal.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

5 folios from a copy of Peter Lombard's Sentences, England, ca. 1275. The codex was once owned by Edward Walmsley (17thC), and later by Nell & Charles Wheeler and C. Lindsay Ricketts; broken & dispersed in the early-1980s. Check out Early Modern cipher in the margins of fol. 5! #ManuscriptFragments

Group of five folios from a manuscript copy of Peter Lombard's Sentences produced in England, ca. 1275. Picture shows the recto side of each folio. Ohio State University, Rare Books & Manuscripts Library, Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Frag.425.

Close-up of an Early Modern cipher using Greek characters added in the margin of a manuscript folio from a copy of Peter Lombard's Sentences produced in England, ca. 1275. Ohio State University, Rare Books & Manuscripts Library, Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Frag.425.

Picture of text and gloss on a single folio from a manuscript copy of Peter Lombard's Sentences produced in England, ca. 1275. Ohio State University, Rare Books & Manuscripts Library, Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Frag.425.

Group of five folios from a manuscript copy of Peter Lombard's Sentences produced in England, ca. 1275. Picture shows the verso side of each folio. Ohio State University, Rare Books & Manuscripts Library, Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Frag.425.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 04/12/2024

New #OttoEge find in private Ohio collection: leaf from HL 2, late-12C Missal from southern Bohemia / northern Austria and possibly (likely?) once in use at Vyšší Brod monastery. Note the scribal guide words for rubrics in the folio's gutter #ManuscriptFragments #fragmentology #MedievalManuscripts

Detail of script in a leaf from a ca. 1175-1200 manuscript Missal broken and dispersed by the famous biblioclast, Otto Ege.

Picture of the recto side of a leaf from a ca. 1175-1200 manuscript Missal broken and dispersed by the famous biblioclast, Otto Ege.

Picture of the verso side of a leaf from a ca. 1175-1200 manuscript Missal broken and dispersed by the famous biblioclast, Otto Ege.

Detail of script in a leaf from a ca. 1175-1200 manuscript Missal broken and dispersed by the famous biblioclast, Otto Ege. At the extreme right are guide letters for the rubricated text included in red in the text block.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

Surprising things are tucked in the crannies of medieval manuscripts, such as this irreverent fellow & his sheep lurking in the fold of an English Missal fragment recycled as a flyleaf in RBML’s ca. 1400 copy of William of Pagula’s Oculus Sacerdotis #fragmentology #marginalia #BindingFragments

Medieval caricature of a monk and sheep on a binding fragment incorporated into a ca. 1400 English manuscript copy of William of Pagula's treatise, the Oculus Sacerdotis, or Eye of the Priest. Ohio State University, Rare Books & Manuscripts Library, Spec.RateS.MR.Cod.1.

Picture showing the last page of text and a manuscript binding fragment in a ca. 1400 English manuscript copy of William of Pagula's treatise, the Oculus Sacerdotis, or Eye of the Priest. Ohio State University, Rare Books & Manuscripts Library, Spec.RateS.MR.Cod.1.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 03/12/2024

New #MedievalManuscript @ OSU: central bifolium of a quire from a Humanist copy of Cicero's De Amicitia w/ text from chapters 64-75. Possibly from a MS once owned by Sir Ashton Lever (1729-1788) & later Bernard M. Rosenthal (1920-2017). Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Frag.505 #fragmentology #ManuscriptFragment

Detail of humanist script from a 15th-century manuscript copy of Cicero's De Amicitia. Ohio State University, Rare Books & Manuscripts Library, Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Frag.505.

Picture of a bifolium from a 15th-century manuscript copy of Cicero's De Amicitia. Ohio State University, Rare Books & Manuscripts Library, Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Frag.505.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 02/12/2024

New at OSU: ca. 1200 English transitional Bible folio reused as a #BindingFragment w/ 17thC signature of James Boraston of Shrewsbury; later owned in 19C by Philip Bliss, asst. librarian at the Bodleian, Sir Thomas Phillipps, E. H. During, & Marvin Colker. II Samuel 15:31-19:9. #MedievalManuscripts

Detail of text and the 17th-century signature of James Boraston in a ca. 1200 English transitional Bible folio reused as a #BindingFragment. Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Frag.515.

Picture of a ca. 1200 English transitional Bible folio reused as a #BindingFragment. Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Frag.515.

Detail of text and marginal glossing in a ca. 1200 English transitional Bible folio reused as a #BindingFragment. Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Frag.515.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 27/11/2024

New MS at OSU: Most of a bifolium from an exempla collection, England, ca. 1350, w/ stories of saints Andrew, Menas of Egypt, Sabinus of Piacenza, an unidentified African bishop, & extracts from Gregory the Great, Eusebius, & the Acta Silvestri #fragmentology #BindingFragments #MedievalManuscripts

Detail of script from a manuscript collection of exempla produced in England in the 14th century. Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Frag.518

Picture of one side of a bifolium from a manuscript collection of exempla produced in England in the 14th century. Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Frag.518

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

Just arrived at my library: bifolium from a 14th-century copy of Vergil's Aeneid w/ text from Bk. XI, lines 258-298 & 468-509. Recycled as a #BindingFragments #fragmentology #MedievalManuscripts Shelfmark: Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Frag.500

Close-up shot of text from a 14th-century copy of Vergil's Aeneid.

Picture of one side of a bifolium from a 14th-century copy of Vergil's Aeneid.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Banner day for #MedievalManuscripts at Ohio State: 8 #ManuscriptFragments and 7 codices, all new additions to our collection, have just arrived. More on each to come, but the batch includes pilgrimage, Classical, pastoral care, chronicle, medical, biblical, and liturgical fare. Fun days ahead!

Seven medieval manuscript codices standing together upright showing parts of their spines and covers.

8 different medieval manuscript fragments arranged as a collage.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Pin holes and offsets of multiple pilgrims’ badges once added to the end of this complete calendar from a mid-15th century manuscript Book of Hours from Arras. From a private Ohio collection. #OhioMSS #fragmentology #MedievalManuscripts #ManuscriptFragments #Pilgrimage

Close-up of offsets from medieval pilgrims' badges in a medieval manuscript.

Picture of a blank medieval manuscript page with pin holes and offsets from medieval pilgrims' badges that were once in the book.

Picture of a medieval calendar page for January alongside a blank page from the same manuscript with pin holes from pilgrims' badges.

2-page opening from a medieval manuscript showing feast day entries for September and October.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

Nifty 1501 edition of the letters of Pliny the Younger. But for me, the star of the show is the printed book’s manuscript binding: a recycled leaf from a ca. 11th/12th-century copy of Gregory the Great’s Moralia in Job. Lovely hierarchy of script! #fragmentology #ManuscriptFragment #BindingFragment

Close-up picture of Caroline minuscule script and Rustic Roman Capitals from a ca. late-11th or early-12th century manuscript copy of Gregory the Great's Moralia in Iob, recycled as the cover to a 1501 printed edition of the letters of Pliny the Younger.

Picture of Caroline minuscule script and Rustic Roman Capitals from a ca. late-11th or early-12th century manuscript copy of Gregory the Great's Moralia in Iob, recycled as the cover to a 1501 printed edition of the letters of Pliny the Younger.

Close-up picture of Caroline minuscule script from a ca. late-11th or early-12th century manuscript copy of Gregory the Great's Moralia in Iob, recycled as the cover to a 1501 printed edition of the letters of Pliny the Younger.

The title page for a 1501 printed edition of the letters of Pliny the Younger.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 23/11/2024

Lovely clear watermark evidence on this bifolium from an as-yet unidentified medieval dictionary. Watermark = Briquet 12995, MS likely produced in Bavaria, ca.1440-50. 16 bifolia in total, each w/ this mark; once recycled as pasteboard book covers. #Fragmentology #manuscripts

Picture of a back-lit paper bifolium of a medieval dictionary revealing its watermark.

Picture of a medieval maniscript dictionary on paper.

Detail image of a watermark in medieval paper. The watermark design is a bunch of grapes.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 22/11/2024

Not my normal manuscript fare, but still a fave item at my library: Sketchbook compiled by one Mrs. Day, a lady from Oxford, on her trip to France in the late 19th century, containing pencil sketches, watercolors, a list of books (perhaps her voyage reading list?) & sundry notes. #WomenWriting

Pencil sketch of a boat and watercolor painting of a sitting woman in a sketchbook compiled by one Mrs. Day, a lady from Oxford, on her trip to France in the late 19th century.

Dou le-page watercolor study of sightseers on a pier looking out at sea from a sketchbook compiled by one Mrs. Day, a lady from Oxford, on her trip to France in the late 19th century.

Pencil sketches and notes from a sketchbook compiled by one Mrs. Day, a lady from Oxford, on her trip to France in the late 19th century.

Pencil sketch of a portrait of an unnamed woman's face and elaborate hat from a sketchbook compiled by one Mrs. Day, a lady from Oxford, on her trip to France in the late 19th century.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

Another recent donation to my library: leaf from an Italian Romanesque monastic copy of St. Augustine’s Tractatus in Iohannem (Tract. XLVII in CCSL vol. 36 ) likely produced in Tuscany ca. 1150, measuring 438 x 310 mm. Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Frag.440 #fragmentology #ManuscriptFragments #MedievalManuscripts

Detailed picture of text in a manuscript leaf from an Italian Romanesque monastic copy of St. Augustine’s Tractatus in Iohannem (Tract. XLVII in CCSL vol. 36 ), likely produced in Tuscany, ca. 1150.

Picture of the recto side of a manuscript leaf from an Italian Romanesque monastic copy of St. Augustine’s Tractatus in Iohannem (Tract. XLVII in CCSL vol. 36 ), likely produced in Tuscany, ca. 1150.

Picture of the verso side of a manuscript leaf from an Italian Romanesque monastic copy of St. Augustine’s Tractatus in Iohannem (Tract. XLVII in CCSL vol. 36 ), likely produced in Tuscany, ca. 1150.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

Highlights from a recent donation of #ManuscriptFragments & leaves donated to OSU by a Philadelphia-area collector. Details for each & shelfmarks in alt-text for each image (enlarge pics to see) #fragmentology #MedievalManuscripts #IlluminatedManuscripts #MedievalArt #OhioMSS

Illumination of St. Bernard preaching to a group of seated Cistercian monks from a mid-15th century Missal, possibly produced for and used at Neubourg Abbey in Alsace. Text: prompts, chants, and readings for feasts of the Assumption of the Virgin and the nativity of Bernard of Clairvaux. Shelfmark: Rare Books & Manuscripts Library, The Ohio State University, Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Frag.449.

Historiated initial "O" inhabited by a cardinal or bishop presenting a cross to a king while a pair of praying figures look on, from a Breviary likely produced in Paris, ca. 1325. Text: prompts, chants, and readings for the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. Shelfmark: Rare Books &Manuscripts Library, The Ohio State University, Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Frag.450. For a study of this leaf (and others from the same MS), see Lisa Iacobellis, "O vere bona et sancta crux: OSU.SPEC.RARE.MS.MR.FRAG.450 and the Treasured Relics of the Sainte-Chapelle," in Manuscript Studies: A Journal of the Schoenberg Institute Institute for Manuscript Studies" 8.2 Fall 2023. pp. 414-429.

Illumination depicting a funeral scene with a black-shrouded casket flanked by a pair of priests holding books, from a Parisian Missal illuminated by a follower of Jean Pichore, ca. 1500-1525. Text: readings and chants for All Saints and a Mass for the faithful dead. Shelfmark: Rare Books &Manuscripts Library, The Ohio State University, Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Frag.451.

Historiated initial depicting "D" inhabited by a fool holding a club in one hand and a cheese in the other, from an illuminated portable Bible produced in northern France, ca. 1250. Text: Psalms 51:11-62:6. Shelfmark: Rare Books &Manuscripts Library, The Ohio State University, Spec.Rare.MS.MR.Frag.448.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

Things to do while not working with #MedievalManuscripts First NHL game in Canada! Vancouver Canucks v. NY Rangers. 2-2 at the first intermission. #FunInCanada

Rogers Arena in Vancouver during Canadian national anthem, with crowd, giant Canadian flag, and colored lights.

Face-off between players from the Vancouver Canucks and NY Rangers NHL hockey teams.

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Eric J. Johnson @ejjohnson.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Nifty 1541 edition of Aristotle on natural science w/ a medieval medical binding fragment preserving text drawn from Isaac Israeli ben Solomon’s Book on Fevers. OSU has lots of exciting #BindingFragments #ManuscriptFragment #fragmentology #MedievalMedicine #Aristotle #BookHistory #manuscripts

Medieval medical manuscript recycled as a binding fragment in 1541 edition of Aristotle on natural science.

Picture of the limp vellum binding of a 1541 edition of Aristotle on natural science.

Title page of a 1541 edition of Aristotle on natural science.

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