Material Evidence
in Incunabula

mei/02141192 Q.401.20 [02141192]

Boston MA, Public Library (US) : Q.401.20

ISTC No.id00029000
AuthorDante Alighieri
TitleLa Commedia (Comm: Christophorus Landinus). Add: Marsilius Ficinus: Ad Dantem gratulatio [Latin & Italian]
ImprintFlorence : Nicolaus Laurentii, Alamanus, 30 Aug. 1481
Formatf°
Languageita
full ISTC record
SubjectLiterature
Keywordspoetry; commentary; collection
Periodmedieval

Description of Copy

Copy Id02141192
Holding InstitutionBoston MA, Public Library (US)
ShelfmarkQ.401.20
NoteCreated by Camilla Marangoni for the Polonsky project "Dante 1481"; revised by John Lancaster for the Boston Public Library.
Physical DescriptionTwo engravings for Cantos I and II (Category A of Hind's classification system), partially tinted. Wanting leaves π1, L11, and L12 (all blanks).
Size of leaves423 × 285 mm
Copy FeaturesIncomplete
Support material (book)Paper

Provenance 1481 - 1500

Areae-it
Time period1481 - 1500
Provenance nameAnonymous, Italy, 1481-1500 [Person; Illuminator] (Unknown, Unknown, Unknown)
Provenance TypeDecoration
Link to Provenance ImageImage in CERL Provenance Digital Archive Red and blue Lombards, ll. h5v and h6r
Image in CERL Provenance Digital Archive Illuminated decoration, l. π2r
Image in CERL Provenance Digital Archive Illuminated initial, l. a2r
Image in CERL Provenance Digital Archive Illuminated initial, l. aa1r
Image in CERL Provenance Digital Archive Illuminated initial, l. aa2r
Image in CERL Provenance Digital Archive Illuminated initial, l. aaa1r
Image in CERL Provenance Digital Archive Illuminated initial, l. aaa2r
Image in CERL Provenance Digital Archive Tinted engraving, l. b1v
Decoration NoteOn π2, an illuminated inital with three-sided border of blue and purple flowers on green stems interspersed with gold bezants; in lower border, space for heraldic insignia within a painted wreath left blank. Five additional illuminated initials: a2, aa1, aa2, aaa1 (i.e. A1) and aaa2 (i.e. A2). Two-line initial spaces rubricated in alternating red and blue Lombards. The engravings partially tinted.
Illustration coloured in by handYes
IlluminationsYes
Ornamental lettersYes
Pen initialsYes
Rubrication noteTwo-line initial spaces rubricated in alternating red and blue Lombards. (15th century)
CertaintyThe recording of this evidence is considered certain
SourceBook in hand

Provenance 1550 - 1650

Areae-it
Time period1550 - 1650
Provenance nameAnonymous binder, Italy, 1550-1650 [Person; Binder] (Unknown, Booktrade, Unknown)
Provenance TypeBinding
Link to Provenance ImageImage in CERL Provenance Digital Archive Manuscript title, lower edge
Binding noteBound in later(?) rigid vellum. Spine labeled in manuscript. Manuscript label on lower edge of text block. Housed in a brown cloth box with black spine lettering. Title written along bottom edges. Dates conjectural.
Binding date16th cent.
Binding typeBoards
Board materialPaper
Cover materialParchment/Vellum
FurnitureNo
Binding statusRebound
TitlingManuscript
ToolingNone
EdgesUncoloured
Writing on edgesAlong
GaufferedNo
CertaintyThe recording of this evidence is considered uncertain
SourceUnknown / other

Provenance 1939 - 1939

PlaceBoston (Geonames ID: 4930956)
Arean-us-ma
Time period1939 - 1939
Provenance nameBoston, Mass., Goodspeed's Book Shop, 1898 - 1995 [Corporate body; Bookseller] (Booktrade, No characterisation/lay)
Provenance TypeDocumentary Evidence
NoteRecorded by Philip Hofer as purchased from Goodspeed's, 30 October 1939.
CertaintyThe recording of this evidence is considered certain
SourceDocumentary source

Provenance 1939 - 1943

PlaceCambridge (Geonames ID: 4931972)
Arean-us-ma
Time period1939 - 1943
Provenance nameHofer, Philip, 1898 - 1984 [Person; Former Owner] (Male, Scholar, No characterisation/lay)
Provenance TypeExlibris
Link to Provenance ImageImage in CERL Provenance Digital Archive Ex libris
NotePhilip Hofer's bookplate on front pastedown. His acquistion records at the Houghton Library record that he purchased the volume from Goodspeed's Book Shop on 30 October 1939 for $400.
Method of acquisitionPurchase
CertaintyThe recording of this evidence is considered certain
SourceBook in hand
Documentary source

Provenance 1943 - 1943

PlaceCambridge (Geonames ID: 4931972)
Arean-us-ma
Time period1943 - 1943
Provenance nameHarvard Library, 1636- [Corporate body; Former Owner] (University, No characterisation/lay)
Provenance TypeDocumentary Evidence
NoteIt is unclear whether Harvard ever owned this copy, but William Jackson arranged the sale to the Boston Public Library, perhaps on behalf of Hofer, according to documents in the BPL files.
CertaintyThe recording of this evidence is considered certain
SourceDocumentary source

Provenance 1943 -

PlaceBoston (Geonames ID: 4930956)
Arean-us-ma
Time period1943 -
Provenance nameBoston, Public Library, 1848- [Corporate body; Present Owner] (Library, No characterisation/lay)
Provenance TypeDocumentary Evidence
Link to Provenance ImageImage in CERL Provenance Digital Archive Shelfmark
NotePurchased from Harvard in January, 1943.
Method of acquisitionPurchase
CertaintyThe recording of this evidence is considered certain
SourceDocumentary source

Other Information

CompletenessThe enumeration of provenance evidence is considered incomplete
Last Edit2021-06-27 11:11:09

All Copies

  02141192

Boston MA, Public Library (US) : Q.401.20

ISTC No.id00029000
AuthorDante Alighieri
TitleLa Commedia (Comm: Christophorus Landinus). Add: Marsilius Ficinus: Ad Dantem gratulatio [Latin & Italian]
ImprintFlorence : Nicolaus Laurentii, Alamanus, 30 Aug. 1481
Formatf°
Languageita
full ISTC record
SubjectLiterature
Keywordspoetry; commentary; collection
Periodmedieval

Description of Copy

Copy Id02141192
Holding InstitutionBoston MA, Public Library (US)
ShelfmarkQ.401.20
NoteCreated by Camilla Marangoni for the Polonsky project "Dante 1481"; revised by John Lancaster for the Boston Public Library.
Physical DescriptionTwo engravings for Cantos I and II (Category A of Hind's classification system), partially tinted. Wanting leaves π1, L11, and L12 (all blanks).
Size of leaves423 × 285 mm
Copy FeaturesIncomplete
Support material (book)Paper

Provenance 1481 - 1500

Areae-it
Time period1481 - 1500
Provenance nameAnonymous, Italy, 1481-1500 [Person; Illuminator] (Unknown, Unknown, Unknown)
Provenance TypeDecoration
Link to Provenance ImageImage in CERL Provenance Digital Archive Red and blue Lombards, ll. h5v and h6r
Image in CERL Provenance Digital Archive Illuminated decoration, l. π2r
Image in CERL Provenance Digital Archive Illuminated initial, l. a2r
Image in CERL Provenance Digital Archive Illuminated initial, l. aa1r
Image in CERL Provenance Digital Archive Illuminated initial, l. aa2r
Image in CERL Provenance Digital Archive Illuminated initial, l. aaa1r
Image in CERL Provenance Digital Archive Illuminated initial, l. aaa2r
Image in CERL Provenance Digital Archive Tinted engraving, l. b1v
Decoration NoteOn π2, an illuminated inital with three-sided border of blue and purple flowers on green stems interspersed with gold bezants; in lower border, space for heraldic insignia within a painted wreath left blank. Five additional illuminated initials: a2, aa1, aa2, aaa1 (i.e. A1) and aaa2 (i.e. A2). Two-line initial spaces rubricated in alternating red and blue Lombards. The engravings partially tinted.
Illustration coloured in by handYes
IlluminationsYes
Ornamental lettersYes
Pen initialsYes
Rubrication noteTwo-line initial spaces rubricated in alternating red and blue Lombards. (15th century)
CertaintyThe recording of this evidence is considered certain
SourceBook in hand

Provenance 1550 - 1650

Areae-it
Time period1550 - 1650
Provenance nameAnonymous binder, Italy, 1550-1650 [Person; Binder] (Unknown, Booktrade, Unknown)
Provenance TypeBinding
Link to Provenance ImageImage in CERL Provenance Digital Archive Manuscript title, lower edge
Binding noteBound in later(?) rigid vellum. Spine labeled in manuscript. Manuscript label on lower edge of text block. Housed in a brown cloth box with black spine lettering. Title written along bottom edges. Dates conjectural.
Binding date16th cent.
Binding typeBoards
Board materialPaper
Cover materialParchment/Vellum
FurnitureNo
Binding statusRebound
TitlingManuscript
ToolingNone
EdgesUncoloured
Writing on edgesAlong
GaufferedNo
CertaintyThe recording of this evidence is considered uncertain
SourceUnknown / other

Provenance 1939 - 1939

PlaceBoston (Geonames ID: 4930956)
Arean-us-ma
Time period1939 - 1939
Provenance nameBoston, Mass., Goodspeed's Book Shop, 1898 - 1995 [Corporate body; Bookseller] (Booktrade, No characterisation/lay)
Provenance TypeDocumentary Evidence
NoteRecorded by Philip Hofer as purchased from Goodspeed's, 30 October 1939.
CertaintyThe recording of this evidence is considered certain
SourceDocumentary source

Provenance 1939 - 1943

PlaceCambridge (Geonames ID: 4931972)
Arean-us-ma
Time period1939 - 1943
Provenance nameHofer, Philip, 1898 - 1984 [Person; Former Owner] (Male, Scholar, No characterisation/lay)
Provenance TypeExlibris
Link to Provenance ImageImage in CERL Provenance Digital Archive Ex libris
NotePhilip Hofer's bookplate on front pastedown. His acquistion records at the Houghton Library record that he purchased the volume from Goodspeed's Book Shop on 30 October 1939 for $400.
Method of acquisitionPurchase
CertaintyThe recording of this evidence is considered certain
SourceBook in hand
Documentary source

Provenance 1943 - 1943

PlaceCambridge (Geonames ID: 4931972)
Arean-us-ma
Time period1943 - 1943
Provenance nameHarvard Library, 1636- [Corporate body; Former Owner] (University, No characterisation/lay)
Provenance TypeDocumentary Evidence
NoteIt is unclear whether Harvard ever owned this copy, but William Jackson arranged the sale to the Boston Public Library, perhaps on behalf of Hofer, according to documents in the BPL files.
CertaintyThe recording of this evidence is considered certain
SourceDocumentary source

Provenance 1943 -

PlaceBoston (Geonames ID: 4930956)
Arean-us-ma
Time period1943 -
Provenance nameBoston, Public Library, 1848- [Corporate body; Present Owner] (Library, No characterisation/lay)
Provenance TypeDocumentary Evidence
Link to Provenance ImageImage in CERL Provenance Digital Archive Shelfmark
NotePurchased from Harvard in January, 1943.
Method of acquisitionPurchase
CertaintyThe recording of this evidence is considered certain
SourceDocumentary source

Other Information

CompletenessThe enumeration of provenance evidence is considered incomplete
Last Edit2021-06-27 11:11:09