Medieval and Early Modern Manuscripts in Special Collections & Archives

Manuscript in Latin. One sheet of parchment, previously folded, with wax seal, 56 x 76 cm. The deed concerns Castello (castle) Roselli signed by Alfonso V, King of Aragon, 1456. Presented by John M. Dunlap (Bowdoin 1948), December 1974.

Text on vellum, in Latin. 121 ff, 16x11 cm. De Amicitia, also known as Laelius de Amicitia is a treatise on friendship structured as a dialogue between Gaius Laelius and his two son-in-laws shortly after the death of Laelius’s close friend, Scipio Aemilianus. Written in a fine humanist hand, and with two decorated initials in colors on a gilt ground, and occasional marginalia throughout. The codex is incomplete at the beginning, and includes three passages in three additional hands at the end, including an extract from the the book of John (I:1). Provenance unknown.

Text on paper, in Latin. 39 ff, 21x15 cm. Somnium Scipionis is the sixth book of Cicero’s work De Re Publica, which was originally written between 54 to 51 BCE. De Re Publica is a treatise on Roman constitutional theory and takes on the form of a Socratic dialogue with Roman general Scipio Aemilianus taking on the role of the wise old man. This copy appears to have been a 15th century student's notebook. On verso of cover, in pencil: 16301Ph B36.547 B13. On recto of first paper binder's blank at front of volume, in black ink: Phillipps Ms. 16301. From sales catalog entry pasted on front free endpaper: Libro excerptum, followed by notes (12 leaves) - Law notes (25 leaves) …Presented by Nathan Dane (Bowdoin 1937), September 1967.

Text on vellum, in Latin.170 ff, 18x12 cm. Written in Northern France or Burgundy in Gothic script with some rubrication; calendar headings in red; initials in red, blue, and gold. Thirteen miniatures in several colors at heads of sections; one full-page illumination (leaf numbered 69) with scrolled caption: Incipit officiu beate marie virginis secundum usum Romanum. This Book of Hours contains a portion of the Roman-Catholic Breviary, containing the Calendar; the Arrest, Trial, Crucifixion, and Burial of the Saviour (St. John : xviii-xx); an introduction to "officiu Beate Marie," etc; St. John : I.1-15; "officiu Beate Marie Virginis secundum usum Romanum"; "vigilie mortuorum." Includes signatures of Anthonefe de Figaris (16th c.) and Koopen neghen Guld (17th c.). From the library of James Bowdoin III; presented to Bowdoin College in 1811.

Text on paper and vellum, in Latin. 12 ff, 28 x 22 cm. Produced in Germany. Manuscript in humanist hand, in two columns; some initial letters in red or blue. Title and date of production from dealer's listing pasted in. Gift of Thomas D. Howson (Bowdoin 1940), 1973.