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ƟAli bin Muhammad al-Husain al-Bazdawi, Al-Juzu' al-Thani min 'Usul al'Imam al-Bazdawi “Usul al-Bazdawi”, in Arabic, decorated manuscript on paper [Near East (possibly Syria), dated 534 AH (1140 AD)] 56 leaves, uncollatable, text fragmentary (early foliation indicating misbound leaves and gaps in text), single column, 17 lines black cursive naskh, margins a little darkened, many edges and outer margins repaired (rarely affecting text), a few scattered smudges or stains, 188 by 148mm.; modern burgundy morocco, covers ruled with central medallions in blind, extremities a little scuffed A remarkably early copy of the Usul al-Bazdawi, copied only 52 years after the death of al-Bazdawi himself (d. 482 AH). The text explores the fundamentals, origins and sources of Islamic fiqh. Though many commentaries of this authoritative text survive in print, few examples are recorded in manuscript form, and no other copies have appeared at auction in the past decade. Ɵ Indicates that the lot is subject to buyer’s premium of 25% exclusive of VAT (0% VAT).  

A calligraphic panel by Ismail Zuhtu, in Arabic, illuminated manuscript on paper [Ottoman Turkey, second half of eighteenth century] Single sheet, 3 lines competent black thuluth, gold circular roundels separating the verses, ruled in black and gold, then mounted on card with eighteenth-century marbled paper added to border, some light surface soiling, some very slight rubbing to final line of text (with slight loss), modern ink inscriptions to versos in ink, 182 by 240mm. Signed inscriptions of authentication to the verso of this panel are in the hand of the celebrated Uskudar born scribe Necmeddin Okyay Efendi (1883-1976), whose talents extended calligraphy into the arts of marbling and bookbinding.

Calendar leaf for December, from a Book of Hours, in Latin, illuminated manuscript on parchment [Southern Netherlands (Bruges, for the British market), c. 1460] Single leaf, with two small square miniatures (each approximately 33mm. high), showing (i) the killing of a hog with a man cutting its throat and a woman catching the blood in a bowl, and (ii) the zodiac sign for Capricorn, each framed in gold, text in brown, red and blue lettre bâtarde, headed by a ‘KL’ initial in burnished gold on blue and dark pink grounds, the recto with a floral decorative bar on one side of the text, Arabic numerals for the days of the month added by a seventeenth- or eighteenth-century reader in blue ink, trimmed at outer edge removing outermost frame of miniatures, some darkening and a few paint chips, else good and presentable condition, 174 by 114mm. The parent manuscript of this leaf was sold in Christie’s, 24 November 1993, lot 16, with other leaves emerging in Sotheby’s, 2 December 1997, lot 23. It had suffrages for the rare Scottish saint, Ninian, as well as a bookplate showing it had been owned by a member of the Kennedy family, and thus would appear to have been produced for a Scottish patron. If so, then it is part of a small group of about fifteen Books of Hours recorded as in use there in the late Middle Ages (see D. McRoberts, Catalogue of Scottish Medieval Liturgical Books and Fragments, 1953).

ƟAhmad bin Ali ibn Zanbal al-Rammal, Kitab al-Thahab al'Abrir fi Ilm al-Raml al-Athar ('Book on the Science of Sand', a treatise on geomancy), in Arabic, decorated manuscript on paper [Near East (possibly Syria), dated Safar 1191 AH (1777 AD)] 48 leaves, complete, catch-words, single column, 19-21 lines black cursive naskh per page, key words and headings in red, 6 full-page tables and charts in the text, a few contemporary ink inscriptions to margins, 3 additional folios (one pasted to the lower pastedown and two loosely inserted), a few ink smudges, some outer margins darkened or soiled, top edge of first leaf repaired (not affecting text), 225 by 165mm.; early nineteenth-century morocco over pasteboards, outer edges ruled in gilt, covers with later blind-stamped decorative medallions, a little scuffed This treatise deals with the art of divination by interpreting lines and textures in sand. The text is 'Ilm al-Ramal' (science of the sand) in Arabic, and is the work of Ibn Zunbul nicknamed 'al-Rammal' (the geomancer) for his work in this area. This composition focuses on the patterns and formations of the sand and translates them into codes, often connecting them with divinations and astronomical events, while his other work Kitab al-maqalat fi hall al-Muskilat, is considered more of a practical manual for geomancy. Ibn Zunbul's precise dates are unknown, but he was certainly alive in the mid-sixteenth century: Sultan Suleyman I (1520-1566 AD) is cited in one of his writings, and one of the author's sons is known to have passed in away in 1553. He was a reputable astronomer and an army general in the Mamluk court, being cited by Brocklemann as a “civil servant of the war division” (Brockelmann II, 43, 298). Ɵ Indicates that the lot is subject to buyer’s premium of 25% exclusive of VAT (0% VAT).  

King David and other sinners kneeling in prayer, tiny miniature on a leaf from a Book of Hours, in Latin, illuminated manuscript on parchment [Southern Netherlands (Bruges), c. 1470]Single leaf, with a small square miniature (22mm. high) in demi-grisaille with a host of kneeling figures led by David as a bearded man with his hat before him, as the sky opens above them to reveal shafts of golden light, all edged in thin gold frame, initials in gold on minute blue and dark pink grounds with white penwork, 17 lines in lettre bâtarde (the text next to the miniature that of Psalm 101, one of the Seven Penitential Psalms), excellent condition, 93 by 72mm.

ƟKhawaja Shams ud'Din Muhammad Hafez'e Shirazi 'Hafiz', Ghazaliyaat, in Farsi, illuminated manuscript on paper [Safavid Persia (possibly Tabriz), c. 1650] 200 leaves, complete, catch-words throughout, 12 lines black nasta'liq, single and double column, gold and polychrome illuminated headpiece opening the text, opening two leaves with interlinear colouring in gold decorated with colourful floral sprays, decorative banners and fillers throughout, with floral vines heightened in turquoise, orange, red and blue, catch-words throughout, leaves in multi-coloured ruling, final leaf laid-down, some inscriptions to front free endpaper and few nineteenth-century marginal annotations, eighteenth-century ownership stamp and annotation “Soleyman” to front free endpaper, some light water-staining along lower edges, a few ink stains or smudges, overall clean and attractive condition, 224 by 140mm.; contemporary blind stamped and tooled calf over pasteboards, covers with block-stamped central panels (with horizontal divide in leather along centres) surrounded by smaller border panels, all in gilt, inner covers with central stamped medallions and corner pieces in blue and green, decorated with orange and gold filigree, possibly missing original flap, outer edges repaired, lightly rubbed and scuffed A charming and delicately illuminated volume of the Ghazals of Hafiz, a strict poetic form comparable to the English sonnet. The binding present is notably fine and distinctively close to Haldane's example 82 (Islamic Bookbindings, 1982, p. 79) with the horizontal divide across the centre of the covers. Ɵ Indicates that the lot is subject to buyer’s premium of 25% exclusive of VAT (0% VAT).  

Leaf from the ‘Bohun Bible’, a monolithic Lectern Bible, manuscript in Latin on parchment [England (East Anglia, perhaps Cambridge), c. 1340s] Single vast leaf, with double column of 22 lines in a rounded English gothic bookhand (with Ecclesiasticus 24:43-25:28) with significant lateral compression of lines, capitals touched in hairline penwork, running titles and versal initials in blue and red, two small gold initials on blue and dark pink grounds heightened with white, one large initial ‘I’ in burnished gold on bi-coloured grounds, and with fleshy foliate terminals emerging from head and foot, early foliation ‘91’ and prickmarks for ruling frame visible, one small flaw with original repair, a small hole in border and flaw to outer lower edge of border with corner section missing, overall in excellent condition with wide and clean margins and on high quality heavy parchment, 450 by 310mm. The parent volume of this leaf was most probably part of a four volume set, with the first volume perhaps now British Library MS. Royal I.E.IV, with a miniature of Jerome writing. On a stylistic basis links have been made to the surviving parts of these volumes and other manuscripts made for the Bohun family, earls of Hereford, whose main estates were in East Anglia (L. Sandler, Gothic Manuscripts, 1285-1385, 1986, no. 132). Other single leaves and collections of leaves in the Bodleian (MS. Bib. Lat.b.4) include inscriptions of three Early Modern Cheshire families, and these have led to connections being made between the Benedictine Priory of St. Radegund’s, Cambridge (suppressed in 1496 to establish Jesus College), and most recently the Carmelite Friary in Chester. The surviving leaves are listed by C. de Hamel in Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in New Zealand Collections, 1989, pp. 93-5, and in an updated form extensively discussing their provenance by the same author in ‘The Bohun Bible Leaves’, in Script & Print, Bulletin of the Bibliographical Society of Australia & New Zealand, 32 (2008), where the present leaf is listed as last offered by Quaritch cat. 1270 (2000), no. 24.

ƟVegetius, De re militari (extract), and Pomponius Laetus, De magistratibus, De sacerdotiis and De legibus, in Latin, manuscript on paper [Italy (perhaps Liguria), dated 11 May 1488] 37 leaves (including 5 blanks at end, plus a paper endleaf at front and back), complete, collation: i14, ii12, iii11 (wanting 3 leaves from second half of quire, all blank cancels), with original foliation and quire signatures, single column of 23 lines in an untidy semi-humanist hand, spaces left for some initials, watermarks partly obscured in gutter (but formed of a crown surmounted by a cross and what appears to be the top of a shield), a few near-contemporary marginal notes, slightly trimmed at edges, small spots and stains, overall excellent condition on notably thin and fine paper, marbled edges, 185 by 130mm.; nineteenth-century Italian parchment over pasteboards, some marks and bumps, with one small tear to parchment on fore-edge of back board, spine with “Mod / De/ R MI” in gilt on brown leather label Provenance:Finished by the scribe Johannes Maria Pellizonus on 11 May 1488: long colophon at end of text, listing other events relevant to the date. His name is rare, and he was probably closely related to the Johannes Pellizonus who served as prior as St. Michael’s, Ventimiglia, at the extreme northern tip of north-west Italy in the opening decade of the fifteenth century. Text:The first text here masquerades under the title of Modestus, De Re Militari (fols. 1r-8r), but is in fact an extract of Vegetius’ celebrated fifth-century work on Roman warfare and military principles. To this has been appended a copy of the writings of the Roman humanist Pomponius Laetus (1425-1498) on Roman lawyers and legal practises (fols. 8v-30v). Laetus taught the same subjects in Rome until 1498, and so the present manuscript was copied within his lifetime. Ɵ Indicates that the lot is subject to buyer’s premium of 25% exclusive of VAT (0% VAT).  

ƟPseudo-Augustine of Hippo, Sermones ad heremitas, in Latin, manuscript on paper [Italy (probably Lombardy), dated 2 January 1458] 64 leaves, wanting 8 leaves from last quire, else complete, collation: i-v12, vi4 (wanting central 4 bifolia), contemporary foliation in upper corner, each gathering backed with parchment strips and with similar strips inside innermost bifolium of each quire, single column of approximately 37 lines in a squat and curling hand strongly influenced by secretarial script, opening initials and words set in margin, a few nota bene marks in form of ‘clover leaf’ design, contents list in main hand on front pastedown, watermark a hunting horn, some spots, stains and small tears to edges, else good condition, 224 by 150mm.; original and contemporary binding of heavy wooden boards with leather spine, the backboard with the title of the work in the main hand as well as other contemporary notes on adjacent leather of spine, three small holes and an area free from patina that shows this book was once chained at its base by a hasp approximately 70 by 18mm., parchment pastedowns (lifting at corners and from fourteenth-century documents), remains of one leather wrap-around tie on front board and old paper label on spine, leather on spine splitting in places (other areas previously split with some modern restoration) and some worm damage, and holes from hasp causing splitting in that area of board, overall solid in binding Provenance:This charming rustic monastic codex was written by Bartholomeus de Zachariis in 1458 most probably for use in his preaching, and then later given to a Dominican convent: a colophon on fol. 62r notes its completion date as 2 January that year, and another on fol. 64v identifies the order of the house. A note added to this, reading “In 13o bancho a dextris 13’”, is probably its position in the library. Text:These sermons are excellent examples of medieval forgeries. They were addressed directly to the Order of Hermits or Friars of St Augustine, and usually include a direct and definitive statement that the saint was their author (here head of fol.1r). They are based on the work of Augustine and later Augustinian theologians, but their author, or authors, is unknown, and they were most probably produced to further the cause of the Augustinian Friars over their monastic rivals, the Augustinian Canons Regular. As works ascribed to the saint they gave much needed antiquity to the Friars (actually founded in 1256), allowing them to backdate their creation to half a millennia before the foundation of the Canons Regular in the eleventh century. The authors seem to have begun with some preaching materials composed as early as the twelfth century, but pulled the present text into its current form in the fourteenth century (B. Rano, ‘San Agustín y los orígenes de su Orden. Regla, Monasterio de Tagaste y Sermones ad fratres in eremo’, La Ciudad de Dios, 200 (1987); K. Walsh, ‘Wie ein Bettelorden zu (s)einem Gründer kam. Fingierte Traditionen um die Entstehung der Augustiner-Eremiten’, in Fälschungen im Mittelalter, V, 1988-1990; K. Elm, ‘Sermones ad fratres in eremo. Pseudoaugustinische Lebensregeln für Eremiten und Kanoniker’, in Regula Sancti Augustini. Normative Grundlage differenter Verbände im Mittelalter, 2002, pp. 528-89; and E.L. Saak, Creating Augustine: Interpreting Augustine and Augustinianism in the Later Middle Ages, 2012, 86-87). The friars may also have been involved in the rapid distribution of the text, and it was known throughout Europe by around 1350. Ɵ Indicates that the lot is subject to buyer’s premium of 25% exclusive of VAT (0% VAT).  

Leaf from a lectionary, with readings for the feast of St. Michael the Archangel, in Latin, manuscript on parchment [Italy, mid-twelfth century] Single leaf, with double column of 34 lines in a notably good and crisp early gothic bookhand, without biting curves but retaining some earlier letterforms in capitals from Carolingian and Romanesque forms, red rubric and 2-line initial, one 7-line initial in red penwork outline terminating at foot in a sprig of acanthus leaves, some small corrections by a near-contemporary hand, grain pattern of parchment noticeable in places, one small area of washing out of ink in centre of top of leaf (affecting only a few words in uppermost three lines), trimmed at top with two triangles of blank border removed and a cut made down to the top ruling line, a few tiny holes, reverse with some discolouration and later scrawls, overall fair and presentable condition and on heavy Romanesque parchment, 358 by 235mm.

Bifolium with a large white-vine initial, from a copy of Augustine, Enarrationes in Psalmos, in Latin, decorated manuscript on parchment [Southern Germany or Austria, mid-twelfth century] Two conjoined leaves, with a 12-line high initial ‘G’ (opening “Gratias grano tritici …”, on Psalm 69), in finely drawn split red bands, their centre-sections infilled with red, and held together at highest and lowest points by distinctively German bands with small circles (that seem to represent riveted metal bands used to hold timber together), the lower tail of the initial turning in on itself and filling its own body with sprays of curling acanthus leaves, explicits and incipits in fine red capitals, some capitals touched in red in opening of text following large initial, small initials in red (one formed from a distinctive minuscule ‘e’ with a tongue that widens to a wedge at its outermost end to resemble a trumpet), single column of 3 lines in a small and precise early gothic bookhand (on Psalms 68 and 69; trimmed at top with loss of two lines of text), one contemporary marginal note “nomen”, some folds, scuffs, areas of discolouration and a small hole in margin, overall good condition, each leaf 257 by 192mm.A fine example of an early German white-vine initial, with their characteristic penwork ‘riveted bands’ holding the sections of the body of the initial together. Compare F. Avril and C. Rabel, Manuscrits enlumines d’origine germanique, 1995, no. 122, pl. cxv (that one Austrian).

Bifolium from Vincent of Beauvais, Speculum historiale, in Latin, decorated manuscript on parchment [France (Paris), c. 1400] Two conjoined leaves, with double column of 46 lines in a fine late gothic bookhand influenced by lettre bâtarde (written space: 250 by 155mm.; here with book 29: 40-42 and 52-55), capitals touched in yellow, one-line initials in red or blue with contrasting penwork, each major text break with red rubric and a 2-line initial as before, running titles and book numbers in red and blue at head of page (here: “L. XXIX” and “Flores Sancti Bernardi”), small natural flaws in parchment, tiny spots and stains, once folded horizontally across the middle, overall excellent condition with wide and clean margins, each leaf 366 by 264mm. A previously unrecorded missing bifolium from an opulently illuminated copy of the Speculum historiale, probably made for a member of the French royal family. Other parts of the parent codex are decorated with distinctive gold and blue half-fleur-de-lys devices in their borders (here hinted at by the split fleur-de-lys in red and blue used as a line-filler) identifying them as part of a small group of books most probably produced for Charles V, the Duc de Berry, other members of the French royal family and their immediate followers (see F. Avril in Bibliothèque de l’École des Chartes, 125, 1967, pp. 433-37, and the Sermons manuscript sold in our rooms, 8 July 2015, lot 88; another emerging since then, the Hours of François de Blondel de Joigny, which has been acquired by an American institution). The distinctive decoration in known in the French royal inventories as “enluminé tout au long des colombes de fleur de lis d’or et d’assur” (Delisle, Cabinet des Manuscrits, III, p. 139). Later the codex was owned by the polymath, book dealer and notorious manuscript thief, Guglielmo Libri (his sale, Sotheby’s, 1 June 1864, lot 71), thence to Sir Thomas Phillipps collection (his MS. 24654; offered for sale in same rooms, 6 June 1899, lot 367, and then again 24 June 1935, lot 74), and to H. R. Creswick, Bodley’s Librarian and the librarian of Cambridge University Library (the substantial remnant of 176 leaves sold in same rooms, 20 June 1995, lot 87, to L. Schoenberg, his LJS 16, now in University of Pennsylvania [see Transformation of Knowledge, Early Manuscripts from the Collection of Laurence J. Schoenberg, 2006, pp. 137-8], with loose leaves at the end of that volume given away by Creswick to his friends, such as that to Sir Irvine Masson, sale in same rooms, 16 December 1957, part of lot 32, reappearing in same rooms, 17 June 1997, lot 1, to L. Schoenberg, his LJS 124, and now in University of Pennsylvania; A.N.L. Munby, same rooms, 5 April 1976, lot 658; and Professor A.Y. Campbell, now Liverpool University Library, MS. F.4.14). This leaf doubtless also gifted by him to an unknown associate. The text was conceived by the celebrated Dominican scholar, Vincent of Beauvais (d. 1264) as a vast text of thirty books, together encompassing a chronological history from the fall of man to the year 1244, and enclosing within its body excerpts from numerous classical and medieval authors. It was finished in an early form by 1245, but the author continued to revise it until 1253.

Cutting from a Lectionary with a Romanesque initial with bird heads, manuscript in Latin on parchment [probably northern Germany (Rhineland), eleventh century] Large cutting from the centre of a leaf, with remains of double column with 26 lines in two sizes of a good and professional Romanesque bookhand, with pronounced st-ligature and tall looping capitals, deep red rubrics, and remains of two large white vine initials in blank parchment on blue and red grounds (on reverse), one large initial ‘I’ (120mm. high; opening “In illo tempore dixit dominus …”, an introduction to the reading of John 6:40) formed of a central yellow column, with geometric interlace surround touched in blue, the terminals of the interlace with foliage and two large bird heads that twist back on the body of the initial to bite its vine tendrils, the whole on red grounds, recovered from a binding and hence with scuffs, discoloured areas and losses to edges (including a section 65 by 50mm. from base corner), overall fair and presentable condition, 235 by 150mm. The script as well as the simple line-drawn initials show close affinity with a Classical compendium produced in Metz around 1100 (F. Avril and C. Rabel, Manuscrits enlumines d’origine germanique, 1995, no. 80). However, the script here is simpler and more archaic than that of the Metz example, and most probably from some decades earlier.

ƟThe Four Gospels in Arabic, decorated manuscript on paper [probably Byzantium, late fourteenth or early fifteenth century] 107 leaves, wanting perhaps a single leaf at end, else complete, collation: i5 (first leaf a singleton to complete text), ii- x8, xi6, xii-xiii8, xiv2, xv6, catchwords on every leaf, single column of 21 lines in black naskh, rubrics and diacritics in red, each Gospel opening with lengthy red rubric, contemporary and later marginalia in Arabic, spots, stains and small amount of worm damage, first few leaves with damage to blank borders, one leaf loose in volume (but in correct place), damage to front endleaf and pastedowns, overall fair and solid condition, 304 by 200mm.; contemporary Greek-style binding of blindstamped dark calf over thin wooden boards (tooled with flowers, circles and double fillet on both boards, spine with repeating pattern of four seedpods inside each of four compartments separated by large double thongs, bumps to edges, torn section at head of spine, loosening in binding with thongs exposed at each end and a small section of wooden back board broken away with uppermost thong, overall solid in binding Provenance:1. Produced in the fifteenth century, most probably in Byzantium, by an Arabic translator, either for use by an Arabic scholar with an interest in Christianity, or more probably for a Christian missionary for use in his preaching to the Arabic speaking populations of the region. Another Byzantine-Arabic Bible translation is evidenced in the fourteenth-century miscellany in Greek and Arabic including the Psalms (now Pierpont Morgan Museum, MS. M.499,acquired by the collector from Léon Gruel in 1912).2. Carmelite monks resident in the Near East, most probably from the monastery of Stella Maris, Haifa: this volume with the order’s ink stamps with their arms and inscription “Terra Santa Monte Carmelo Maria” on second and last pages, and with “Quatuor Evangelia” added in nineteenth-century hand in ink to the head of the front endleaf. After departing the Near East in the thirteenth century, the Carmelites returned in the seventeenth century to found this house, rebuilding it in its present form in the nineteenth century. The present book was probably then brought back to Europe by a member of their community, where presumably the two German woodcuts showing Luther were added to the front pastedown and front endleaf, and a small blue collection ticket with “Sc6” was pasted to its front cover. Text:The translation of any Christian text into Arabic (see lots 36 and 37 below) is surprising, and the translation of the Gospels, the central texts of Christian life, is startling in the least. In fact many such medieval translations survive. The question of when and why the Christian Bible was translated into Arabic remains an active field of academic debate. Louis Chekho, the Lebanese Jesuit scholar, would postulate translations into Arabic even before the foundation of Islam, but consensus has seen the earliest such text in the Arabic translation of the Diatessaron of Tatian, a work of c. 172 AD, which may have been translated via Syriac or Armenian in the early centuries of Islamic history. A number of extant manuscripts survive from the eighth and ninth centuries with anonymous translations, including Vatican Arabic MS. I 3 (Gospels) and Sinai Arabic MS. 151 (Pauline Epistles and Acts), but it is not until the eleventh century that we find a named figure, Ibn al-Tayyib (d. 1045; Gospels and commentary) engaged on this. Various Coptic-Arabic texts emerge in the thirteenth century, and further versions were produced in Byzantium and the Islamic Near East in the late Middle Ages, including a controversial fifteenth-century version by an Arabic scholar who attempted to use the Bible (Old Testament) to interpret the Qu’ran. That said they are of significant rarity on the market, with exclusively Christian Biblical texts in Arabic being last recorded by the Schoenberg database as sold in 2005 (fourteenth- or fifteenth-century Gospels in Arabic, sold by Bauman Oriental Books in their online store), and before that as long ago as 1926 (sixteenth-century Arabic-Armenian Bible, sold by Anderson Galleries on 23 March, lot 518), and 1921 (late fourteenth-century Gospels, offered by Sotheby’s, 18 April, lot 315). The Melikian collection has an eighteenth-century Ottoman-Arabic translation of the Gospels, which it exhibited in 2014 in ‘The Bible Crossing Religions and Languages’. The text here opens with the Gospel of Matthew (fol. 1r), followed by those of Mark (fol. 31v), Luke (fol. 50r) and finally John (fol. 84v, ending incomplete). Ɵ Indicates that the lot is subject to buyer’s premium of 25% exclusive of VAT (0% VAT).  

Leaf from a large and handsome Missal, in Latin, decorated manuscript on parchment [Germany, thirteenth century] Single leaf, with double column of 34 lines in a good German gothic bookhand, music in neumes arranged around coloured clef lines, capitals touched in red, rubrics in red, large simple initials in red or blue, additional 6 lines of musical text added in bas-de-page of verso, original red folio number ‘ccxxxvii’ at foot of verso, small amount of later medieval marginalia, one small flaw in parchment with signs of medieval repair, slight discolouration overall, else in good and clean condition, 310 by 232mm.

Ɵ Terence, Comoediae, in Latin, illuminated humanist manuscript on paper and parchment [Italy (probably Florence), dated 4 April 1446] 94 leaves (plus a later paper endleaf at each end), wanting one gathering between original foliation 12 and 25 (with text from end of Andria I “curabo & mecum adductum …” to opening of Euriuchus II “… Operam adjuvabo numquid”, written space 172 by 110mm.), else complete, collation: i-vii12, ix10 (last two blank cancels), contemporary foliation, parchment bifolia innermost and outermost in gathering, single column of 30 lines in an excellent and accomplished humanist hand, verse opening each line with a capital, running titles and rubrics in faded red, simple and elegant red or turquoise-blue initials, seven initials in burnished gold on blue, green and dark pink grounds, each heightened with white or yellow swirls of foliage, watermark of the common version of Golgotha (a tri-lobed mountain surmounted by a cross), very occasional missing lines added vertically in margins by main scribe, some marginal notes in Latin and Italian and a small amount of underlining from later readers, some smudges, small amount of worm damage in gutter, small spots and stains with first and last leaves discoloured at edges, a few small tears to edges of paper leaves, overall in good condition, 230 by 170mm.; eighteenth- or nineteenth-century limp parchment binding with “Teren/tii Affri /Comed” in pen on spine A handsome Renaissance copy of one of the most widely read classics of the Ancient World, probably from the town in which the text was performed again for the first time since antiquity Provenance:The colophon at the end of the text states that the book was completed on 4 April 1446, and the style of the tri-colour illuminated initials strongly suggests that this was done in Florence or its vicinity (compare, for example, that in a Florentine Cicero made c. 1475-90, once Major Abbey, J.A. 3208: J.J.G. Alexander and A.C. de la Mare, The Italian Manuscripts, 1969, no. 21; and copies of the works of Marsilio Ficino from that city, now in the Laurenziana, Plut. 82.15 and 82.11, both from last decades of the fifteenth century: Renaissance Florence: The Age of Lorenzo de’ Medici, 1993, pp. 133 and 135). Text:Terence (more properly Publius Terentius Afer, c. 195/185-c. 159 BC.) is one of the most well known Roman playwrights. He was of Berber origin from Carthage, and was brought to Rome by the senator Terentius Lucanus as a slave and then educated and freed. He disappeared during a visit to Greece when only twenty-five years old, and it is presumed he died on the trip. Despite this short life, his literary impact has been enormous. His works were performed in Rome for the first time in 170-160 BC. and have remained popular throughout the centuries to the present day. Due to this popularity and the endurance of his appeal, all six of his works survive, the comedies: Andria (‘The Girl from Andros’, a comedy adapted from Menander and in the genre of forbidden marriage and star-crossed lovers); Hecyra (‘The Mother-in-Law’, again adapted from Menander as well as Apollodorus of Carystus, in which male debauchery is concealed and then exposed with the figure of the mother-in-law as the catalyst for that revelation); Heauton Timorumenos (‘The Self-Tormentor’, another tale of star-crossed lovers separated by parental disapproval, war and then the practicalities of the world); Phormio (‘The Parasite’, revolving around a young man who makes his living performing duties for the wealthy, and who turns his talents to helping two young men with their respective romantic problems); Eunuchus (‘The Eunuch’, again adapting a similar play by Menander, centring on a complex love affair between an Athenian man and a foreign born courtesan); and Adelphoe (‘The Brothers’, which explores methods of child rearing both strict and permissive through two brothers separated at birth). All of these were written between 166 and 160 BC. His texts were used throughout the Middle Ages to learn to copy manuscripts, and young students are recorded as performing the plays in order to improve their spoken Latin. Despite this popularity the first recorded formal performance of one of his works after Antiquity is that of Andria in Florence in 1476, after which it was adapted by Macciavelli for his work of the same name. Given the likely production of the present manuscript in the same city, exactly thirty years before that performance, it is tempting to speculate that it attended that historic performance in the lap of its elderly first owner or a youthful subsequent one, and was used to follow the play line-by-line. Approximately 650 manuscripts of his works survive, but they are far from common to the market, with the last to emerge: (i) one from the library of W.E. Gladstone (also Florence, c. 1440-50), sold Sotheby’s, 18 June 1991, lot 83, and returning to Christie’s, 3 April, 1996, lot 7; and (ii) another in the Foyle sale (made France, c. 1450), Christie’s 11 July 2000, lot 80, and reappearing in Joern Guenther cat. The Art of the Book, 2000, no. 34. To these should perhaps be added a fragment of 40 leaves from a fifteenth-century German copy, recovered as individual leaves from binding fragments, sold in Reiss, 23 October 2007, lot 63, and then offered by Les Enluminures in 2008. Ɵ Indicates that the lot is subject to buyer’s premium of 25% exclusive of VAT (0% VAT).  

Ɵ‘Liber Extraordinarius’, a Festal Lectionary with Invitatories and Antiphons, in Latin, illuminated manuscript on parchment [Italy (Milan), dated 1546] 84 leaves (including an original endleaf at front with contents list, and another at back, the last with colophon), complete, collation: i10 (followed by two stubs from endleaves, and showing that another endleaf, perhaps a blank cancel, once lay at the front of the book), ii-vii10, viii12, contemporary red foliation, single column of 30 lines in the late medieval ornate bookhand of Simone da Desenzano (see below), capitals decorated with ornamental hairline penwork, music arranged on seven 4-line red staves per page (rastrum: 22mm.), red rubrics (larger with complex calligraphic initials), red and blue simple initials, large initials in sprigs of coloured foliage with green sprouting leaves, some enclosing realistic Renaissance jewels, all on wide gold grounds, frontispiece with decorated border of realistic coloured foliage-scrolls enclosing gold grounds on two sides, and the de Gropis arms set within a laurel wreath and with pink penwork banderole with “R. Dns. Pbr. Dominic de Gropis Pleb.” in bas-de-page, last but one endleaf originally blank but filled in eighteenth century with “Canticum D. Ambrosii et Augustini”, traces of paper on front pastedown from removed Ashburnham bookplate, some small flaking and smudging to a few initials, some ink flaking away and some darkening to corners of leaves from thumbing, but overall in good and solid condition, 410 by 275mm.; nineteenth-century half-morocco with green buckram over solid wooden boards (probably early) and sewn on 5 large double thongs, spine gilt-tooled “Officia /Eccl. /M.S. /in membranis”, bumps and scuffs to extremities Provenance:1. An elaborate calligraphic colophon to this volume records that it was written and illuminated for the church of St. Barnabas, that its production was begun in 1544, in the time of the Revd. Vincentius Taiapetra, and completed in March 1546, and that it was paid for by a bequest for repairs and replacements of books left by Revd. Dr. Dominicus de Gropis (whose arms appear in the bas-de-page of fol. 1r with a banderole naming him). The colophon ends with a note that the work was dedicated to the venerable Augustinus Nigrus. When in the Ashburnham collection (see below) it was part of a series of eight choirbooks, several with the same arms and inscriptions, and the first volume there (Officium Dominicum per circulum anni, 1545-1546) records that the scribe of the series was Simone, a Carmalite of Desenzano al Serio (province Bergamo). Two further volumes from this set (including that signed by the scribe) are now in the Honnold Library, Claremont College, CA., collectively their Crispin 13 (C.W. Dutschke, R. Rouse and M. Ferrari, Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts in the Claremont Libraries III, 1986, pp. 30-31, with reproduction in fig. 37).2. Bertram Ashburnham (1797-1878), 4th Lord Ashburnham, whose vast library made him a bibliophilic giant among the grand collectors of the nineteenth century, and who owned two Gutenberg Bibles, 31 Caxtons and 805 medieval manuscripts, this volume part of the section of his library called ‘the Appendix’ (this no. CCXXVIII, acquired May 1897, and thus not in his printed manuscript catalogue of 1861); then passing to his heir, his sale in Sotheby’s, 1 May 1899, lot 157 (volume V in the series in that lot), for £11, 5 shillings.3.Again Sotheby’s, 11 July 1960, lot 155, to Alan G. Thomas: his cat. 7 (1961), no. 14, and again cat. 13 (1963), no. 4 (his cutting pasted to front pastedown).4. Re-emerging in Christie’s, 19 November 2003, lot 29.Text:This large and heavy codex contains: Lections for the feasts of Easter week (fol. 1r), as well as those for Corpus Christi, St. Barnabas, St. John the Baptist, SS. Peter and Paul, the Visitation and Christmas; and invitatories for some of these feasts, for a saint’s day and for All Souls (fol. 55r). To this has been added a Marian Canticle. Ɵ Indicates that the lot is subject to buyer’s premium of 25% exclusive of VAT (0% VAT).  

ƟA Miniature Octagon-shaped Qur'an, signed by Abdullah Husayn bada Rashida, in Arabic, illuminated manuscript on paper, housed in contemporary box [probably Ottoman Turkey, dated probably 5 Safar 1292 AH (1875 AD)] 200 leaves, complete, single column, between 38 and 41 lines of miniature gold gubari per page, surah headings in black against gold ribbon banners, opening two pages of text with illuminated polychrome borders decorated with interlocking vinal circles forming geometric patterns, heightened in gold, red and blue, one spot on the final free endpaper and some very slight finger soiling to a few leaves of text, else excellent condition, 44 by 44mm.; contemporary brown morocco, covers stamped with central medallions and corner pieces to each of the eight corners, additional decorations in gold, spine a little rubbed, edges gilt, housed in contemporary silver box with clasp A charming miniature Qur'an, signed and dated in closing colophon by a named scribe and preserved in excellent condition in its original talismanic silver box. Ɵ Indicates that the lot is subject to buyer’s premium of 25% exclusive of VAT (0% VAT).  

Fragment of two leaves from the Liber Glossarum, an early Carolingian Latin encyclopedia, with remarkably early vernacular glosses in Old High German, manuscript on parchment [Germany (probably south), first half of the twelfth century] Cutting with the top half of a leaf and part of the adjacent sister leaf from the bifolium, with remains of double column of 41 lines in an elegant and readable early gothic bookhand (entries for B and C), with strong st-ligature and majuscule ‘R’ used to form abbreviation for “-orum”, five main words glossed in contemporary hand in Old High German (see below), larger initials in same penwork, some small natural flaws in parchment repaired with small cuttings from other leaves in the same parent volume, later ‘C’ at head of main leaf (perhaps thirteenth-century hand), and partially trimmed away inscription of fourteenth century: “iste liber est sanctorum …” at foot of leaf cut down to a stub, folds, spots, else good and solid condition, 304 by 411mm. The Liber Glossarum is an enormous and sprawling encyclopedic work, arranged alphabetically so that a reader could look up the meaning of an individual Latin word, find its numerous synonyms, and read a brief collection of information on the specific topic. As the earliest copies were written in the local pre-Carolingian script of Corbie AB minuscule, it is thought to have been initially compiled in that imperial abbey, most probably during the abbacy of Adalhard (780-814 and 821-826). Adalhard was a cousin of Charlemagne, and thus perhaps the work was produced under direct imperial patronage; certainly it provided a powerful reference tool for the Carolingian Renaissance blossoming in the imperial court. Many manuscripts of the text survive, but what sets this one apart is that on five occasions the scribe, or a near-contemporary, has glossed the meanings of certain words in Old High German in the interlinear space above the Latin word in question, with: (i) Castri margia glossed with what is perhaps “gragi”, (ii) Catax with “hufhalz”, (iii) Cartilago with “prustlesel”, (iv) Cassia with “wichpom” and (v) Cassis with “helm”. As a language, German is blessed with having a number of manuscript witnesses to its early forms, including the late eighth-century Abrogans codex, which contains a glossary with 3670 words (now St Gall, Stiftsbibliothek, Cod. 911) among other word lists and collections of glosses. However, such items are unobtainable for the private collector, and these words here are among the very earliest witnesses to that language to come to the open market.

Bifolium from a copy of Justinian, Digest, in Latin, decorated manuscript on parchment [Italy, late thirteenth century or c. 1300] Two conjoined leaves, each with double column of 43 lines of main text, that text encased within smaller script of gloss on three sides (once probably four, but uppermost margin trimmed away), paragraph marks in red, red rubrics, tall and elegant simple initials in red or blue touched in contrasting colour, other marginal glosses in contemporary hand added in bas-de-page, trimmed at edge of upright margin with small losses there to edge of columns of gloss, some old water damage at head of leaves with ink flaked away there, else in fair and presentable condition, each leaf 310 by 220mm.

ƟFrano Gundulic, Relatione del Sig. Francesco Gondola, fatta alla Santità di N. S.re Papa Gregorio XIII circa alcuni particolari del Turco, an account of the Croatian Republic of Ragusa after the Fourth Venetian-Ottoman War and struggle for control of Cyprus in the 1570s, with four other political accounts, all in Italian, manuscript on paper [Italy (partly in Rome), c. 1600] 179 leaves (including endleaves), complete as originally produced (only some blank cancels wanting), single column of mostly 14 lines in a fine italic hand (apparently Italian), front endleaf torn and splashed with ink, first text with very slight ink-burn causing a few tiny holes, the last text with more serious ink burn causing shine through, that for marginalia causing small holes at edges of single leaf there, trimmed at edges with remnants of some original foliation remaining, overall fair and presentable condition, 262 by 200mm.; limp parchment binding with title in ink on spine, some spots and stains, detached from thong at lower part of front board and with small holes in back board Provenance: 1. Written and produced in the last decades of the sixteenth century, most probably for a participant in the Venetian-Ottoman struggle over the Republic of Ragusa (see below), who seems to have travelled widely across Italy and perhaps also southern Dalmatia. The first text has a colophon naming Rome as the site of its copying, noting that was completed in 1574.2. From the library of the Fiorenzi family of Osimo (eastern coast, facing Croatia): their armorial bookplate at front. Text:This compendium contains five political texts covering southern European events in the last three decades of the sixteenth century. The Republic of Ragusa, on which the first account focusses, was a maritime republic centred on Dubrovnik in modern Croatia. The present text is of great importance for the history of the region: “The clearest example of such diplomatic exaggerations is doubtlessly the rhetoric of Frano Gondola (Gunduli?), Ragusan ambassador in Rome during the war of Cyprus (1570-1573). In this turbulent period, Gondola constantly struggled with the Venetian diplomats who were trying to persuade their allies, Spain and the Papacy, to conquer the neutral Ragusa or, at least, to force it to join the Christian League against the Ottomans.” The actions of the Venetians were at best aggressive and at worst unforgiveable, and Gondola notes that when the Ragusans aided the local Christian rulers the Venetians informed the Ottomans, hoping that the Sultan “will throw in slavery these fifty or sixty thousand Christian souls” (L. Kun?evi?, The Ragusan Image of Venice and the Venetian Image of Ragusa in the Early Modern Period, 2012). The republic existed from the mid-fourteenth century until 1808, coming under Byzantine, Venetian, Ottoman and Napoleonic control in that period. The author was a member of one of its leading aristocratic families.To this has been added (i) an anonymous Discorso sopra la precedenza tra Spagna et Francia, a rare defence of Spain as an ally of Rome and Venice, traceable in only three other copies; (ii) a copy of Marco Querini, Ordini del Querini Provveditore dell'Armata alli sopraceniti comiti et altri officiali delle galere, an apparently otherwise unrecorded account of a Venetian military nobleman who commanded their forces during the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, with observations on Ragusian matters; (iii) the Coronatione del Gran Duca di Toscana fatta in Roma da Papa Pio V alli 5 di marzo l'anno 1570, a Venetian diatribe on the Coronation; and (iv) the Risposta et narratione di quanto è passato tra 'l Sr. P. di Parma et Sr. Marchese del Vasto, an account of the fire in the Palace of Mantua in 1592. Ɵ Indicates that the lot is subject to buyer’s premium of 25% exclusive of VAT (0% VAT).  

Aristotle, Poetics, in Greek, manuscript on paper [Italy (probably Venice)], late fifteenth or early sixteenth century] Single gathering (a single sheet of paper folded to form an octavo, and only partly cut for first three leaves: see below), only two leaves with writing (these with first chapter and part of second chapter of text, ending abruptly here: “… δηλον δε οτι και των λεχθησων”), single column of 23 lines in a semi-cursive Greek bookhand, watermark a simple fleur-de-lys, spaces left for initials, slight darkening and stains to edges of leaves and small losses to a few leaves in those places, overall good and presentable condition, 182 by 123mm. Provenance: Written for a humanist scholar with an interest in Greek in Italy c. 1500. The last decades of the fifteenth century and the opening decades of the sixteenth saw an explosion in interest in Greek there, spurred on by the Fall of Constantinople in 1453 and the arrival of fleeing Greek scholars and theologians. Substantial collections of Greek texts were built up in these years by the Vatican and the Marciana in Venice, and an affectation for Greek culture and identity entered fashionable learned Italian society. In 1523 in his preface to the Magnum ac perutile Dictionarum, Guarino Favorino declared that despite his parents Italian ancestry he saw himself as a Greek: “From the bottom of my soul … I am a Greek within an Italian [body]”, while others such as Augusto Valdo of Padua dressed only in Greek style clothing. Text: Has any other Greek writer had the same impact on Western Culture as Aristotle (384-322 BC.) His works shaped the thought and science of the Ancient World and Late Antiquity, and despite being mostly lost to the West during the Dark Ages, made a re-emergence in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries that profoundly shaped all subsequent scholarly writing. This work, the Poetics was composed c. 335 BC. and is the earliest extant work on dramatic theory as well as the first Western philosophical work on literary theory. The Middle Ages knew it only in a single Arabic translation by the Andalusian scholar Averroes (Ibn Rushd, d. 1198), and purer Greek sources only began to emerge in the late fifteenth century, with the editio princeps produced in 1508 in the Aldine Rhetores Graeci. Codicological importance: What is most fascinating here is that the physical archaeology of this manuscript illustrates much about a number of the processes of early paper book production. Once the scribe reached the foot of fol. 2r, this gathering was set aside with the rest of it uncut and blank - perhaps due to a format change in the overall book. It seems to have endured, folded for use but mostly uncut and unbound, for some centuries and perhaps half a millennia. It may have been used as a bookmark within a larger codex. It is sturdy and unfolds and refolds quite well, and would suit employment in teaching purposes.

Leaf from Cicero, De Inventione, in Latin, humanist manuscript on parchment [Italy, c. 1450] Single leaf, with single column of 28 lines of a thin and delicate humanist hand, simple initials in red or blue, rubrics in red, a few marginal notes in main hand, prickings for lines visible in outer upright margin, some scuffs, folds and small holes, but overall in fair and presentable condition, 217 by 152mm. This is Cicero’s earliest extant work, and the least likely survival of all his compositions. It sets out the art of oratory in four books (of which only the initial two exist today), and was clearly written early in his youth. It is cited by him in his De Oratore as youthful folly unworthy of his later style, and Quintilian informs us that in later life Cicero condemned the work as obsolete. The text here is from book II, chs. 41 and 42.

Stoney of Emmel Castle Prayer BookBinding: The Book of Common Prayer,... According to the Use of The Church of England; Together with The Psalter and Psalms of David. 8vo L. (John Jarvis) 1792. Engd. frontis & 8 full page plts. after Stoddard & Westall, with numerous manuscript (& some printed) genealogical notes on The Stoney Family of Emmel Castle, Co. Tipperary, c. 1820 - 1918, a.e.g., marble ends, in fine and attractive full straight grained crimson mor., with profusely tooled lg. gilt borders and with blue and green overlaid lozengers with letters J.H.S. on both covers, spine gilt in compartments, and with original silver clasps. As a binding, w.a.f. V. good.

Mansfield Family BibleBible: The Holy Bible, With the New Testament, translated from The Latin Vulgate. Thick large 4to D. (H. Fitzpatrick for Richard Cross) 1791. Fifth Edn., red & bl. title (loose) engd. frontis,list of subs., cont. full panel calf, joints worn at top edge, mor. label. (1)* The Mansfield family bible from Morristown Lattin, with numerous manuscript genealogical notes. As a Bible, w.a.f. (1)

Boyle (Robert) Nova Experimenta physico - mechanica de VI Aeris Elastica ...2 Parts in one, 12mo Rotterdam (Arnold Leers) 1669. Engd. add. pict. title of two scientists in a laboratory, wd. cut device on title of each part, 2 fold. engd. plts. of scientific instruments including Boyle's air pump, one torn but no loss, cont. full vellum, spine titled in manuscript [Fulton 2] Very good copy.* Third Latin Edition of "Nova Experimenta" (Boyles first published scientific work) and First Latin edition of "Defensio doctrinae".

The Anglo-Irish WarBuro Staire Mileata 1913 - 21. Chronology [of the Anglo-Irish conflict], Part III, 3 vols., viz. Section 1, From the Surrender in Easter Week 1916 to 31st December 1917; Section 2, The Year 1920; Section 3, from January 1921 to the Anglo-Irish Truce on 11 July 1921. Orig. printed card covers, circa 1950, pp. 97, 98 - 304, 305-506, prelims and appendices, with a few manuscript corrections.These very detailed chronologies were prepared by the staff of the Military History Bureau, for the guidance of those interviewing participants in the conflict. They are drawn from all available published sources, and present an unrivalled day-to-day account of the developing conflict. They were not published, and copies are very scarce. [Parts 1 and II cover respectively the 1913-16 period and the Rising itself]. (1)

Doyle (J.F.)ed. The Celtic Review, A manuscript 'occasional journal of interesting literature,' dated 14/5/[18]86 Vol. 1, No. 1 ed. John F. Doyle, 8pp folio, entirely in copper plate manuscript (except for a section in shorthand). Evidently compiled for circulation among a group of friends, to include 'all matters of any importance relating to the Celtic Club,' and at the service of all who intend entering the field of 'Amateur [sic] Journalism.' Apparently the only issue, [all published] cloth backed boards. (1)

Periodical: An Claidheamh Soluis Weekly bilingual newspaper of the Gaelic League, a paper which helped to change Ireland. 18 March 1899 (Vol. 1 no. 1) to 7 March 1903 (Vol. no. 52), 208 numbers complete to date, incorporating Fainne an Lae from 4 August 1900. Building on the example of Fainne an Lae, 'it sought to foster the ideal of a distinctively Irish culture for a progressive readership' (Hickey & Doherty). Four vols. folio, strongly bound by Dollard of Dublin in dark green buckram gilt, uniform with previous lot. Edited initially by Eoin Mac Neill; Patrick Pearse became editor later in 1903. Contributors include virtually all those active in the Gaelic League and the Irish Revival movement.An excellent set of the first four volumes, indexed in manuscript in each volume. The binding of the fourth volume is misdated 1902 - 93 (1902 - 03).

Elizabethan Indenture on Vellum 1571A manuscript indenture dated 17 November, 14th Elizabeth [i.e. 1571], between (1) Walter Viscount Hertford Lord Ferrers and of Chartley, and (2) William Middleton of Benington, Hertfordshire, Clerk. William holds of the manor of Benington one tenement with two garden plots, for which he pays 5 shillings per annum. Now for a payment of £10, he obtains the right to hold these premises for ever. Writing faded in places, w.a.f. With an attractive armorial seal attached, the seal in good condition. A very early document. (1)

Early 18th Century Land Settlement in Co. CarlowCo. Carlow Manuscript: A deed (paper) dated 17th November 1725 of John Cliffe of New Ross esq., Anthony Cliffe of Dungulph, and John Tench of Bryanstown, trustees of Richard Vigors of Old Leighlin, Co. "Catherlough". A deed of 5 January 1722/3 had empowered the trustees to raise money out of Vigor's lands to provide for his younger children after his death. The lands are listed in detail. Vigors died intestate leaving four younger children: John, Eliner, Thomas and Margaret. The trustees now direct £500 a piece to be given to them by their mother Mrs. Jan Vigors, who is administering her late husband's estate. As a m/ss., w.a.f. (1)

Return of Captain James Stewart's TroopIrish Military interest: Single manuscript page dated 1768, headed, General Return of Captain James Stewart's Troop of H.M. 2nd Rgt. of Horse commanded by the Hon. Lt. Gen. John Fitzwilliam. The 2nd Regt. of Horse had formed part of the Irish Establishment since 1746 and contained many Irish soldiers; in 1788 it became the 5th Regiment of Dragoon Guards. Capt. Stewart is listed as absent "attending elections." As a m/ss, w.a.f. (1)

Co. Clare: Manuscript - A 4pp Rental of O'Brien's Castle Property, in Co. Clare, in various town lands in Inchicronan Parish etc., listing by townland, with tenants name, rental and other 'observations' eg. nature of lease, lists Abbey titles, etc. Folio 4pp. As a m/ss, w.a.f. Rare. (1)

"A Plunger of the Past"Manuscript: Donegal (Marquis of) A manuscript account (3 folio pages) of the spendthrift life style and marital affairs of George (Recte Arthur) Chichester, first Marquis of Donegall (1739 - 1799) and of his son the second Marquess (1769 - 1844). A tabloid style narrative written c. 1850, with some politically incorrect references to persons traditionally associated with money lending. Curiously, the writer failed to record the problem associated with the second Marquess's wife - the daughter of a Co. Waterford baronet he had met when imprisoned for debt - who turned out to be both under age and illegitimate. As a m/ss, w.a.f. Interesting document. (1)

Group of 3 Manuscript LettersTyndall (John) A very good 4pp A.L.s. from John Tyndall to his godson 'Rolphy' written on 30th Dec. 1877, possibly from The Royal Institution of Great Britain (the impressed address at the head has been cut-out). He tells him about his work load, his lectures ".. to the Boys and Girls who come in great numbers - listening very attentively to what I say, and apparently taking great delight in the experiments." He tells Rolphy about his travel arrangements at Christmas,speaks of his house in the Alps, "I wish Rolphy could pay a visit there and take his first lesson in climbing from his godfather," He talks about Uncles Beaumont and Edgar, and mentions "High Elms" John Lubbock's family home. He goes on about Lake Geneva etc. Its a very pleasant letter and shows a very warm side to the scientist. The other two single page letters are addressed to Gertie. These are addressed from the Royal Institute one 28th Dec., the other no date, and signed off 'Yours Affectionally,' and 'Your Old Friend.' As m/ss., w.a.f. (3)* Uncles Beaumont & Edgar mentioned above were sons of John Lubbock. Edgar went on to achieve fame in the game of Soccer and played in the first ever F.A. Final on the winning side.

Co. Carlow Interest: Mc Murrogh Kavanagh (Arthur) A manuscript Letter addressed to his land agent "Devine" stating he is enclosing a cheque for £20 and also addressed other issues such as repairs to tenants houses. He mentions Father Carey and his interest in the graveyard, and advising Devine to avoid him, and to keep the matter to himself. The second part refers to a request for money for a Robert Lochhead for his son in America. The other regarding request for oak to make arms for the water wheel at Borris Wheel, bold signature, as a m/ss., w.a.f. (1)

Important 19th Century Transcript of The Annals of ClonmanoiseManuscript: A folio volume bound in blue cloth, pp.5 - 457, lacks first two leaves and last few folios, and a few other pages missing also (pp. 53 - 56).This copy of an English translation of Annals of the History of Ireland, is written in a fine copper plate hand, with Irish versions of some names, and a few quotations, sometimes added in a neat Gaelic script. Names in the early part of the book are written in red ink. Verses (eg. 'On the Death of a Friend,') are occasionally added in a different hand.The Annals of Clonmacnoise are a translation into English of a long lost Gaelic Chronicle of events in Ireland from the creation of man down to the year 1408. It was written in an archaic style in 1627 by Conall Mac Geoghégan of Co. Offaly, and dedicated to his brother in law Terance Coghlan. He begins with Adam, complaining grumpily that 'my author committed to trace of the Creation of the world and leaveth such as love to treat thereof to the Scripture.' He then recounts the descent from Adam according to Genesis chapter V., followed by five legendary invasions of Ireland, and continues to record occurrences in Irish history down to the arrival of Henry II. Some events are narrated in considerable detail, and there are some surprising inclusions: in 967 for instance, we are told thath 'the Pox (which Irishmen called then Dolor Gentiluim) ran over All Ireland this year.'After the coming of the Normans, the writer provides - 'for your better instruction (Brother' - genealogies of prominent descendants of the three sons of the Gaelic invader Milesius: Randolph Earl of Antrim, Henry, Earl of Thomond, and Arthur Magennis Viscount of "Iveaghaghe."This suggests a mid-17th Century date for the compilation:Mac Geoghangan's original text is no longer extant, there are copies (made in 1684 by Tadhg O'Dailaigh) in Trinity College, Dublin and The British Museum.The T.C.D. copy was edited by the Rev. Denis Murphy S.J. and published by the R.S.A.I. in 1896. The manuscript now offered for sale is a transcript of the British Library Copy.The writer does not provide his name, but he does sign the initials "C.M.G." to a frustrated note of his inability to provide correct versions of names as 'there are so many leaves lost or stolen of the Old Irish Book which I translate." There are frequent cross-references to folios in the original Gaelic M/ss.Given the deficiencies of the 1896 publication, this manuscript, despite its incompleteness, could provide a useful source for a new critical edition of this important early history of Ireland.As a m/ss., w.a.f. A high important work. (1)

Co. Tipperary: Manuscript: A small manuscript account book of John Trant of Dovea, Thurles, c. 1850 - 1862, in account with David La Touche & Co., Dublin. Sm. 8vo, mor. bound, as a m/ss., w.a.f. (1)

Manuscript: A small octave notebook relating to Irish Antiquities, monuments, fossils etc., c. 1960. A manuscript of approx. 101pp (the remainder blank), with news cuttings and other inserts. The author, who writes in a neat hand, has not so far been identified. He gives descriptions of monuments and buildings in various parts of Ireland, and lists of shells and fossils. There are several neat plans of ancient sites such as Clonmacnoise, Monasterboice, St. Doulagh's Church near Malahide etc. etc. In full brown cloth, as a manuscript, w.a.f. (1)

Inventory of Shanet, A Howth ResidenceManuscript: Dockrell Sons & Co., Auctioneers. A small manuscript 8vo book titled, Inventory Made at Shanet, Bailys Howth, 7th April 1922, Shanet, Ceanchor Rd., Bailey and the owner, a Colonel Campbell of Bramley, Hants was evidently letting the premises, hence the inventory was compiled with this in mind. Containing over 30 m/ss pages, it is quiet detailed, and was well furnished with antiques etc.Lucky tenants! Shanet is on the sea side of Ceanchor Road, has stunning views over Dublin Bay, and in those years was still entirely rural, though within easy reach of the capital via the Hill of Howth tram and the train from Sutton. As a m/ss., w.a.f. (1)

Manuscript Diary of Newport B. WhiteCo. Tipperary: An oblong octave volume, containing extensive diary and commonplace book belonging to Newport B. White from 11th September 1839 to 1st January 1842, approx. 164pp, lacks covers. As a m/ss., w.a.f. (1)Newport Benjamin White was born in Cashel in 1815 and took his degree at Trinity College Dublin. Ordained in 1844, he was curate of Cashel from 1847 to 1857, where he took an active part in the repair of the buildings on the rock. He became rector of Kilkenny West in Co. Westmeath in 1861 and died in 1870. He belonged to a family of noted academics: John Davis White, historian of Cashel, was his brother, and John Davis Newport White, librarian of Marsh's Library, was his nephew.The diary was compiled while Newport White was a student at Trinity College, and the entries relate partly to his life in Cashel and partly to his academic endeavours. It contains many comments - occasionally trenchant - about family, friends, neighbours and lecturers. It is also a commonplace book, with extensive thoughts and quotations about "life, the universe and everything."A fascinating insight into the mind of a clerical student from Tipperary in the years before the Famine. (1)

Genealogical Details & Rent RollCo. Kilkenny: Manuscript - [Blanchfield] thick quarto notebook (paperback) approx. 21cms x 16cms, giving details of the rentals of the Blanchfield family of Flagmount, Gowran, Co. Kilkenny, c. 1800 - 1805, naming some of the tenants etc., with details of births, marriages and deaths in the family of William Blanchfield, 1796 - 1888, approx. 82pp. 4to in boards. As a m/ss, w.a.f. (1)

The Royal North Down Rifles Military Theatricals. A 19th century Album compiled probably by Capt. (later Lt.-Col.) G. Rowan Hamilton of the Royal North Down Rifles, containing about 45 programmes for amateur dramatic and musical performances, 1860s-1890s, mostly locally printed, featuring members of British garrison forces and their families and friends; also news cuttings about military affairs, many featuring the North Down Rifles, including some reports of disturbances and a manuscript parade record. In a folio album, much worn. With the original manuscript of a talk by the historian and bibliophile P.S. O'Hegarty, 17 pp, headed 'Some Ephemeral Local Printing', discussing the album and its contents.The programmes include items printed by J. Wier, 'Observer' office, Ballymena; Dollard, Dublin; Bray & South Dublin Herald, Wicklow; 'Down Recorder', Downpatrick; Wm. Strain & Sons, Belfast; Wm. Henry, 'Newtownards Chronicle'; Recorder Printing Works, Bray; W. & G. Baird; Moat Bros., Rosemary Street, Belfast; M'Caw, Stevenson & Orr, Belfast; Morgan, Mountmellick; and others. Many of the cast-lists include Capt.Rowan Hamilton, regimental colleagues and members of his family. There are also several programmes from the Theatre Royal, Fort Manoel [Malta], and a poster for Lt. Col. Hamilton's retirement parade in Bristol.O'Hegarty's manuscript points out that garrison forces generally had little to do when there was no war on, and theatricals provided a harmless diversion for their officers. The programmes are laid down, tipped in or laid in. They are not in chronological order. Condition is only fair, many are creased, torn or frayed, sometimes with loss, but most of them are certainly rare if not unique.As a collection, w.a.f. (1)

An Irish Photographers Personal ArchiveMansfield (George) of Morristown Lattin, Naas, Co. Kildare. An important Archive of original Photographs and Negatives, over a period of approx. 20 years, c. 1869-1889. Many of these were taken at his home near Naas, and the images show his family, his stately home, landscapes, studies of the River Liffey and various buildings, and with some taken at properties in France where his family had connections.The collection consists of the following;A. Portfolio of large mounted Original Photographs, each approx. 9" x 11 1/2", and all with manuscript captions on mounts:1. "On the Liffey," Morristown Lattin, 18692. "Terrace Walk," Morristown Lattin, 18703. "The Long Walk," Morristown Lattin, 18754. "The Weir - Liffey," Morristown Lattin, 18765. "River Walk," Morristown Lattin, 18786. "View from Terrace," Morristown Lattin 18787. "The Weir - Liffey," Morristown Lattin, 18788. "The Weir," Morristown Lattin, 18799. "The Mill - Yeomanstown," 187910. "Lord Mayo's Tomb near Naas,"11. "Tirso Mansfield at Noddy," Morristown Lattin, 189112. "Eustace - Henry - Aly," Morristown Lattin, 189213. "Tirso et Marguerite Mansfield," Morristown Lattin, 189214. "Gap of Dungloe"15. "Ferme de Ferussac a Pleurs," Marne, 188916. "Chateau a Pleurs," Marne 188917. "Cour de Ferme," Corroy, Marne 188918. "Chateau a Pleurs," Marne 188919. "Chateau des Bretignoles" Indre et Loire 187220. "Chateau des Bretignoles," Indre et Loire 187221. "Pyrennes,"22. Large PortraitB. Portfolio of Large Negatives55 Landscape studies of trees, rivers & buildings, mostly approx. 12" x 15", but a few approx. 9 1/2" x 13 1/2".C. Portfolio of Small Negatives25 - Landscape studies of trees, rivers and buildings, each approx. 8" x 10"D. Portfolio of Large Negatives10 Family Portraits & Groups, each approx. 12" x 15"E. Portfolio of Small Negatives14 - Family Portraits & Groups, each approx. 8" x 10".Together with the above, the Archive also includes George Mansfield's Competition Medals, as follows:One bronze Medal for 1884, issued by Photographic Society of Ireland, to George Mansfield For Landscape, 'Pas de Roland' No. 76.One bronze Medal for 1887, issued by Photographic Society of Ireland to George Mansfield.One bronze Medal issued to George Mansfield, 1890 'For Society Work,' and Two silver Medals for 1896, issued by Photographic Society of Ireland, awarded to George Mansfield, For Landscape & For Artistic Merit. All in all, an outstanding Archive of Early Irish Photographic Material.** George Mansfield was originally an Apothecary or Chemist with a shop at 2 Lower Camden Street, Dublin in 1850. At the same time, his brother had a Fancy Goods Shop at 90 Grafton Street. In 1856, he joined the Dublin Photographic Society. By 1857 he had joined George Yeats at No. 2 Grafton Street, where they were offering a photographic service, as well as selling optical and photographic equipment. During the 1860's George joined his brother at 60 Grafton Street, as Mansfield's Brothers, where they sold general fancy goods, pianos, and other musical instruments and had a photographic studio located on the 1st floor. When the Prince of Wales visited Dublin, for the Opening Ceremony of the Dublin International Exhibition which was held in Earlsfort Terrace, George Mansfield received the commission to photograph him, and by all accounts sales of his carte de visit portrait of the Prince must have been very lucrative. Mansfield's chemical knowledge served him well, when in 1879 he made an important discovery which had the effect of greatly increasing the speed of the newly introduced dry plate process. He appears to have exploited this discovery financially as he was soon to be found living in Morristown Lattin, a large house near Naas. Towards the end of the Century he became a regular contributor to both the British Journal of Photography and Photographic News, the two leading British photographic periodicals at the time. He also immersed himself in the local area and became a Justice of the Peace. In 1898 his name figured on the Grand Jury at the Kildare Assizes, joining such people as Lord Walter Fitzgerald, a son of the Duke of Leinster and other gentry. He was President of the Photographic Society of Ireland in 1890-1892. Literature: Photography in Ireland 19th Century, by Edward Chandler

With Manuscript NotesWaterford Corporation: Proceedings and Report of the Committee of the Corporation of Waterford, On Inquiry as to The Cause of the Decrease of the Supply of Deep Water Fish at the Waterford Market, 8vo Waterford (Power's Printing Establishment) 1848. Sole Edn., 15pp plus 2pp of m/ss notes, orig. wrappers. Rare. (1)

The Westropp GenealogiesWith Full Coloured Coats of ArmsGenealogy: Westropp (Wm. Keily) This rare collection of eleven tabular pedigrees were compiled towards the end of his life by William Keily Westropp (1839-1905) of Folkestone, a retired major in the Durham Light Infantry and a veteran of campaigns in Bhutan and Afghanistan. The family seat was Fort Anne, Tulla, Co. Clare. They trace his descent through various lines, paternal and maternal. Beautifully written and illustrated with gloriously coloured coats of arms, most have unfortunately been subjected to a waxing process which has caused brittleness and discolouring. Nonetheless, they remain both works of art and a useful genealogical source for the Westropps and allied families.(1)"Pedigree of Westropp Corborough York from 1282 to their migration to Ireland and of Fort Anne line to 1889." Not waxed and in good condition. Black handwriting with connecting lines in red; marginal notes; coloured coat of arms at top. Signed on back "W.K. Westropp fecit 30 Nov 1889." 124 x 55 cm.(2)Westropp family tree tracing descent from King Henry III (1216-1272), with coloured coats of arms of husbands and wives in each generation. A magnificent document. Signed"W.K. Westropp fecit May 1904." 193 x 77 cm. (3)Westropp family tree in similar style to foregoing tracing descent from William Westropp in the 16th century. Coloured coats of arms. "William Keily Westropp fecit November 1903." 214 x 77 cm.(4)"Pedigree of Hickman" with coat of arms at top, tracing descent from Robert Hickman of Bloxham, Oxford, 1292 (Robert Westropp of Fort Anne married in 1737 Elizabeth, daughter of Poole Hickman of Kilmore, Co. Clare). 3 coloured plates (one missing). 100 x 56 cm.(5)Berkeley pedigree (Montifort Berkeley of Limerick, died 1698, married Frances daughter of John Taylor by Gertrude, daughter of Sir Francis Berkeley of Askeaton). Traces descent from Robert Fitz Harding of Berkeley Hernesse, 1168. Coloured coats of arms. Genealogical notes on back. Signed by W.K. Westropp, 12 Nov 1894. 142 x 28 cm.(6)Printed pedigree of the Keily and Ussher families of Co. Waterford, with coloured arms of each. 33 x 52 cm.(7)Pedigree showing descent from Ussher and Keily families, beginning with Arland Ussher c. 1500. (Robert Westropp of Fort Anne married in 1798 Dorcas, daughter of John Keily of Strancally Castle, Co. Waterford). Arms at top and bottom. 86 x 28 cm.(8)Pedigree showing descent from John Taylor of Ballynort, Co. Limerick. 83 x 28 cm.(9)Boyle pedigree, showing descent from Ludovick Boyle of Bidney, Hereford, temp Henry VIII. 78 x 27 cm. Damaged.(10)Pedigree of the Westropps of Attyflin. Severely damaged.(11)Roberts pedigree, showing descent from Rev Thomas Roberts, Chancellor of Cork, who died in 1664. (Ralph Roberts of Cahirduggan, Co. Cork, and Clonmoney, Co. Clare, married in 1701 Hannah, daughter of Randal Roberts of Brightfieldstown, Co. Cork.) 72 x 28 cm.As a coll. of manuscript genealogies, w.a.f. Extremely Scarce. (11)

Important Collection Connected with the County of KerryManuscripts etc: Rowan (Rev. A. Blennerhassett)AM, MRIA. A large file of miscellaneous manuscript letters, notes, pedigrees, original documents, transcripts, news cuttings, broadsides,ephemera, etc., relating to Old Kerry families. The correspondents include fellow scholars, historians, J.G.A. Prim of Kilkenny, John Windele of Blairs Castle, Cork, James F. Ferguson of the Record Tower, Dublin Castle, etc., over 100 items in all.Documents include the marriage settlement of Jannett Raymond of Killmolane and Matha Lavery, 1730; an extract from a diary of 1847; Rowan's copy letter-book for 1850 - 51, a file of extracts from the Cotter M/ss, 1688 - 1691. There are 3 ptd. broadsides entitled "Kerry Antiquities," all of articles by, or letters to A.B. Rowan. As a collection of m/ss items etc., w.a.f. In all, a very significant source for Kerry history and genealogy. (1)Provenance: Mrs. Valerie Bary, Kerry Historian.

Manuscript: A Genuine Irish Pedigree. The Paternal and Maternal Pedigree of Baron Daniel O'Connell O'Connor of the Austrian Service. Dedicated to his Brother Maurice O'Connor Esq. M.D. of Tralee, 1833. A large 4to notebook, with approx. 25pp plus 2 m/ss pedigrees, in a very clear hand. Also in the same volume are approx. 19pp of poems in Archdeacon Rowan's hand commencing with A Pastoral Elegy of the Supposed Death of Ned Hussey, who was for some time thought to have been torn in pieces by Mc Carthy-Mores Hounds in one of his Annual Tours round the Lakes of Killarney. mor. backed marble boards, v. good. As a m/ss., w.a.f. (1)

Co. Kerry: A quarto copybook of manuscript "Material on the O'Connell Family," by Jane Mc Cartie, Headford, Co. Kerry, dated August 13th, 1881. The volume starts with a 2pp page index, & approx. 125pp of material collected from Fr. Charles James O'Connor, John O'Flaherty & others. There are numerous family pedigrees of the various branches and a full calendar, from January to December, with births, marriages and deaths filled in for all members of the O'Connell family; together with another 4to copybook, intitled "O'Connell Pedigree," in the hand of Mary S. O'Connell, Tralee, December 1904, copied by her from a m/ss lent to her by Rowan's daughter, the historian Anne Rowan, 26pp boards. As m/ss., w.a.f. (2)

Very Important Manuscript of Projected History of KerryRowan (Rev. Arch. A.B.) History of Kerry, Chapter Three, of the early inhabitants, etc etc. Folio 40pp in his clear hand, with extensive commentary and notes i the margins, some in the Gaelic script. In original marble wrappers, with paper label. A highly important document. As a m/ss., w.a.f. (1)Provenance: Mrs. Valerie Bary, Kerry Historian.

General Genealogical Memoranda, 1848Manuscript: A thick quarto manuscript volume entitled General Genealogical Memoranda, 1848, This volume starts with index page, and approx. 125pp of text containing manuscript pedigrees of approx. 50 historic Kerry families, the last page consists of a competent drawing with plans of a comfortable three storied dwelling house. There are also numerous manuscript pedigrees, and a collection of letters loosely inserted. Reversed calf, with m/ss label. As a m/ss, w.a.f. (1)Provenance: Mrs. Valerie Bary, Kerry Historian.

Co. Kerry: Portions of two published histories of Kerry, including Supplemental Addenda to Unpublished Kerry Records, 8vo n.p. n.d. [c. 1879] pp XLIII, preface and text ending on p. 128. This copy with manuscript notes (possibly by Geraldine H.T. Mundy), disbound; also Kings History of Kerry, parts II, III, IV & VI, and pp. 1 - 39 of part I; and The Annual Report of the Kerry Society for 1926, As a lot, w.a.f. (1)Provenance: Mrs. Valerie Bary, Kerry Historian.

"By Ways of History"Manuscript: Rowan (Rev. A.B.) Manuscript comments by Rowan entitled The Two Bacon's, intended for publication, on two brief printed articles on 16th & 17th Century personalities. One on the brothers Francis and Anthony Bacon, the other on 'The Protestant Martyr' Sir Edmund Berry Godfrey. Approx. 10pps 4to of notes and comments, plus printed text, inscribed wrappers. As a m/ss., w.a.f. (1)Provenance: Mrs. Valerie Bary, Kerry Historian.

Daniel O'Connell and the Catholic AssociationBroadside: Address of the Catholic Association to the People of Ireland, approx. 30.5cms x 25cms (17 1/4" x 9 3/4") printed one side only by John Coyle, Dublin, and signed by Daniel O'Connell, Chairman, Dublin Dec. 1st, 1824. Also with a signed manuscript note, dated Sept. 1824 & an inscribed letter front dated Sept. 21st, 1830, signed by O'Connell, and with 'Cahirciveen 178', postal mileage stamp. As a lot. Rare. (3)

"Wade through Fields of Blood of the Saxon Tyrants"Manuscript: [Anon] 'Sinn Fein Oath' A bloodcurdling document, m/ss, 2pp., on lined paper, 'taken from captured documents in various parts of the country, & is the general oath taken by the I.R.A.' Includes a promise to 'wade through fields of blood of the Saxon tyrants, & murders for the glorious cause of nationality,' etc. Undoubtedly spurious, and of interest only insofar as it shows how little the British black-propaganda people understood about Sinn Fein and the I.R.A. (1)

Volunteer Officers Statement of 18 June 1917. A contemporary photographic copy of a manuscript statement signed by Volunteer commandants just released from English jails, headed by Eamon de Valera, appealing to U.S. President Wilson to support the rights of small nations including Ireland. Framed and glazed, 14" x 18".The statement was signed by Volunteer officers on the day of their arrival in Dublin, before they dispersed to their home places. Signatories include Eoin MacNeill, Roibeard Ó Breandáin, Tomás Ashe, Aoibhistin de Staic and more than 20 others (but not Michael Collins, released some months earlier, who was not then a Volunteer commandant).Apparently the earliest document of historical significance signed by Eamon de Valera. It marks the first regrouping of the Volunteers after the Rising, and effectively recognises De Valera as their leader. The original was brought to the United States by Patrick McCartan (IRB member), and was accepted from him at the Capitol by Joseph Tumulty, private secretary to President Wilson. Presumably it is now in the Library of Congress. A very rare photograph, perhaps the only surviving copy. The text is in Macardle, The Irish Republic, and it is mentioned in Coogan's Michael Collins, but we have not found the document reproduced elsewhere. It is not in Ferriter's recent De Valera biography. (1)Provenance: Inscribed lower right 'to a lover of Irish history' by Frank Robbins, a Citizen Army member.

Brian O'Nolan [Flann O'Brien] and family. A unique collection of eleven folio albums of family photographs and other memorabilia, including photos and copy photos of Brian as a young man [Album 1], Brian's card as Private Secretary to An Tanaiste, his personal card as 'Lord Nolan of Santry' etc. [green file, Section 12]; typescript copies of letters from Brian to the American writer William Saroyan, a tribute from Roibeard O Farachain (typescript), his brother Ciaran's passport, several albums of photos and other items relating mainly to his mother's family the Gormleys of Strabane, including material relating to Eugene Gormley (interned on SS Argenta in Belfast Lough 1922), a manuscript card from Alice Milligan, also some attractive family photographs,an album of Strabane postcards, views of Strabane, a Strabane scrapbook, etc., all carefully mounted and generally in excellent condition. As an Archive, w.a.f. (1)A unique collection which casts light on Brian O'Nolan's family background, and on some of the influences that helped to make him a writer.

Unpublished I.R.A. PlayAnon. 'The Fire' (original play script).Typescript of an original three act play set in the Curragh Internment Camp in December 1940, based on real events, a hut fire which led to discovery of an escape tunnel, and the shooting of several internees by military guards.Original typescript, carbon copy, 37 pp, complete, unsigned but with extensive author's corrections and interpolations in manuscript. The author may be Frank Mulvaney, an aspiring writer who was intensely interested in the theatre. See Mac Eoin, The IRA in the Twilight Years pp. 509-511, 676. It is clear that the playwright was writing from first hand experience, and the work presents an evidently authentic picture of the conflicts between internees and guards and the tensions between different political groups. (1)Provenance: Collection of Nora Lever.

Pike Theatre Productions. Manuscript accounts for James McKenna's The Scatterin' performed at the Olympia Theatre, Dublin, October 1960. Folio 3pp (single folded sheet).Accounts for a three week run, showing takings of £3,500, wages of £1,000, author's fees of about £400, and profits to the producers of over £1900. Curiously, there appears to be no entry for hire of the theatre.Provenance: Archive of John Ryan.

Archive of John Ryan & The Dublin MagazineA small Archive from the papers of the writer, publisher, theatre producer and designer John Ryan [1925-92], editor of Envoy [1949-51] and The Dublin Magazine [1970-75], friend of Kavanagh and Myles, co-founder of the Bloomsday celebration, proprietor of The Bailey public house in Dublin's Duke Street.John Ryan was a son of Senator Seamus Ryan, founder of the Monument Creameries in Dublin. Ryan's editorship of Envoy was ended by a lawsuit, and thereafter he was active mainly in theatre, where he designed more than 40 productions. In 1970 he was asked to take over The Dublin Magazine (formerly The Dubliner), founded in 1962 by a group of former students at Trinity College, and he ran it until it closed in 1975.The archive contains the surviving documents from The Dublin Magazine (the Envoy papers are in Southern Illinois University). It includes original typescripts and some manuscripts and letters for the issues of Summer/Autumn and Winter 1970, Spring 1971, Autumn 1971 and Summer 1973, with correspondence from 1969, a file of unpublished material, and proofs, corrected and uncorrected, from 1970 and 1971. There are also 'dummy' issues for Summer 1971, Summer 1972 and Autumn 1973, with the printed copy pasted up in the body of a previous issue.The original typescripts, manuscripts and letters include items by Leland Bardwell, Patrick Boyle, Terence Brown, Anthony Cronin, Cyril Cusack, Norman Dugdale, Padraic Fallon, Constantine Fitzgibbon, Dermot Foley, Monk Gibbon, Robert Greacen, Desmond Hogan (a story written when he was 18), Fred Johnston, John Jordan, Richard M. Kain, Michael Kane, Brendan Kennelly, Benedict Kiely, Hayden Murphy, Thomas Dillon Redshaw, Sydney Bernard Smith, Geoffrey Squires, Thomas Tessier, Richard Weber and many others. Business correspondence includes a detailed TLS from Mervyn Wall at the Arts Council, 1971, about grants available to the Dublin Magazine but undrawn, and several TLS from David Elyan (recently a distinguished businessman and collector, then chairman of the DM's publisher New Square Productions).Personal papers include the original signed contract for Ryan's memoir Remembering How We Stood; an ALS from Jeremy Sandford (writer of the BBC play Cathy Come Home), thanking Ryan for a tour around Dublin and discussing plans for a production; a TLS from Alan Simpson (of the Pike Theatre) about designs; two ALS from Eoin ('The Pope') O'Mahony, then working on the Envoy papers in Carbondale; a card from Arthur Power; TLS from Aidan O'Higgins 16.9.69; ALS from Constantine Fitzgibbon, 6.11.70; two letters from the playwright Criostoir O'Flynn; TLS from the yachtsman Conor O'Brien; a draft or copy letter from Ryan to Joseph Hone about Ryan's Joycean anthology A Bash in the Tunnel; and a much earlier draft letter from Ryan to Lina Elyan (mother or sister of David?), 20.11.51, about plans to settle Envoy's debts, and various others. There are also papers relating to the James Joyce Institute of Ireland, of which Ryan was secretary, 1971-3, including minutes and legal papers; articles by Ryan on various subjects, typescript and manuscript; also his father Seamus Ryan's Fianna Fail membership card 1932; a notebook containing the log of Ryan's 'Southern Cross' yacht from 1 August 1957, and other items. A significant 1970s archive. As an archive, w.a.f. (1)