Pseudo-Prosper Aquitanus MS Leaf (MS 2) and its orphaned siblings

MS 2):  MS Leaf, pseudo-Prosper Aquitanus (ca. 390-ca. 463), “De vita contemplativa”
[Author note: probably Julianus Pomerius, cf. 'Lexicon für Theologie und Kirche', VIII (Freiburg i.B.:  1936) pp.362, 504-505 (Aquilon 560) – ISTC.]


Paper manuscript, single folio (vertical chainlines no visible watermark), single column 34 (est.) lines per page.  340 x 240 mm. (200 x 140 mm) Water damage to top edge and into sewing gutter.  Modern MS pencil note at foot of recto “MS 132”.

 Source: Mackus Company Illuminated Manuscripts [Akron, Ohio], M5132.  Attached description: “Prosper—De Vita active ac contemplative [sic], Manuscript leaf on paper Italy, 14th c. Written in a fine humanist hand, in brown ink with intricate red penwork in the margins.  Ex-Ege collection.”  [pencil MS note: “Rare text ms. | $300”]


Scott Gwara, Otto Ege’s Manuscripts, Cayce, S.C.: University of South Carolina / De Brailes Publishing, 2103.

Handlist Entry (p. 150): HL No. 94: Prosper De vita active et contemplativa.  Gwara description: MS on Paper.  Italy, ca. 1475: 341 x 234 mm (written area 197 x 140 mm).  Single column, 33 lines.  Collections with Leaves: 1.  Boulder, CO, Univ. of Colorado, Norlin Lib., Hayes MS 68 (1 bifolium and 1 folio).  2.  Chicago, IL., Newberry Lib., MS Vault oversize Case MS 137.  3.  Toledo, OH, Toledo Mus. of Art, acc. 1923.3128.  Print Illustrations: Figs. 30, 86.  References: Tregaskis, 1912 or 1913.

 MS text compares closely, including pointing and some uses of ampersand, with early printed text:

 D. PRO=SPERI AQVITANI=ci, episcopi recien=sis, opera, accurate uetustoru[m] exem=plarium collation per uiros er|dittos recognita.  Coloniae ex officina Heronis Alo=pecn.  [Heronis Alopecius] Anno 1540.   Pages 230-234. 

 Available at HathiTrust Digital Library Digital Surrogate of Universidad Complutense de Madrid copy:

Próspero de Aquitania, Santo, 390?-455?, Santo Próspero de Aquitania, and Hero Alopecius. D. Prosperi Aquitanici Opera. Coloniae: Ex officina Heronis Alopecii, 1540.

 Recto text begins in middle of Liber II, Cap. XV (“De Negligentia Sacerdotis . . . “) at:

“solicitus: quid a suids boni maliue geratur ignorant: qui non praedicat pefecverantium iustis, poenitentiam prauis, contemptum mundi conuersism, futuras poenas auersis: . . . “

through Liber II, Cap. XVI (“Quale Periculum Maneat . . . “) complete.

 Verso text begins Liber II, Cap. XVII (“Ubi Anxium Quod Ecclesiam . . . “) complete, Liber II, Cap. XVIII (“Quod Parum Valeat . . . “) complete, and three lines of Liber II, Cap. XIX (“De virtute fidei . . . “) to “sed ex fide intellectus existiat: nec . . . “



Other Known Leaves

1)  University of Colorado, Norlin Library, “De active ac contempletiva [between 1450 and 1500] <<N.B. pattern of water stain damage at top edge extending into margins>>

Abstract: OVERSIZE 1. Italy, 15th c. [Certain Italian characteristics; 2nd half of 15th c.] Fine Humanist script on paper. 1 bifolium plus one leaf. [Ex-Ege collection.] 9 3/8" x 13 1/2". Photo #78.

2)  Newberry Library, [Original leaves from medieval manuscripts] number 12, VAULT oversize Case MS 137

Title:

[Original leaves from medieval manuscripts] [manuscript] [between 1175 and 1499].

Physical Description:

13 items ([14] leaves) : parchment and paper, col. ill., coat of arms ; 43 cm. or smaller.
"a 15th-century Italian leaf from Prosper’s "De vita activa et contemplativa", written in a humanistic script, with red and blue pen-flourished capitals (cf. De Ricci no. 31)"

3.  Toledo Museum of Art, “Roman letter Mss, written on paper,” 1923.3128
Date1450

Dimensions  Overall: 13 1/2 x 9 3/16 in. (34.3 x 23.3 cm)

Click here to see two images of the recto and verso of Toledo Museum of Art MS 1923.3128
<<N.B. absence of water stain damage to top and sewing gutter compared with Goucher College and University of Colorado leaves.>>