Beinecke MS 77                                                       Germany, s. XV^^2
Albertus Magnus, De animalibus

          ff. 1r-388v    Scienciam de animalibus secundum eam quam in
     principio premisimus diuisionem post scientiam de vegetabilibus...Hec
     igitur de uermibus dicta sint a nobis...et ego talium hominum parum
     curo reprehensiones. Explicit edicio alberti magni quam scripsit
     diffuse et gloriose de naturis animalium. Deo gratias.

          A. Borgnet, ed., B. Alberti Magni...opera omnia, v. 11-12 (1891).

          Paper, with parchment bifolios at beginning and end of each
     gathering (watermarks: similar to Briquet Lettre P 8606 and 8625), ff.
     ii (paper) + 388, 285 x 209 (180 x 137) mm. Written in two columns,
     frame-ruled in crayon with double (occasionally single or triple)
     horizontal bounding lines full across; single inner and double outer
     vertical bounding lines; remains of prickings in upper, lower, and
     outer margins.
          I-XIV^^12, XV^^10, XVI-XXXII^^12, XXXXIII^^12 (-7, through 12)
     Catchwords along lower edge in gutter, on verso; some signatures, on
     recto (e.g., d 1, d 2, etc.).
          Written by a single scribe in a neat running script for the text
     and a more formal style for rubrics.
          First initial on f. 1r, 10-line, painted blue, on red and green
     ground, yellow highlights. Many small plain initials in red and/or
     blue. Major headings lacking; minor rubrics and red initial strokes
     throughout.
          Binding: s. xv-xvi. Sewn and wound on five slit, tawed straps
     laced into oak boards and pegged or nailed. Kermes pink, braided
     endbands attached to primary ones sewn on hempen [?] cores laced into
     boards. Covered in brown calf, blind-stamped in a diamond pattern
     filled in with roses, fleurs-de-lis, eagles, and lions [?]. Traces of
     five round bosses on each board and of three nails to attach a chain at
     the head of the lower board. Tongue-turn-ins. Two clasps on the upper
     board and stubs of pink, tawed straps held to the lower with metal
     plates. Remains of a title on parchment on the upper board. Numerous
     place markers, some vermilion leather, some very small Turk's head
     knots of leather or tawed skin. Rebacked.

          Written in Germany in the second half of the 15th century; early
     provenance unknown. Belonged to Sir Thomas Phillipps (no. 2234;
     inscription and stamp on f. 1r); his purchase from Longman. Collection
     of C. F. G. R. Schwerdt (bookplate; see catalogue Hunting Hawking
     Shooting [London, 1928] v. 2, p. 315); his sale (Sotheby's, 12 March
     1946, no. 2176). Acquired from Goldschmidt's by David Wagstaff
     (bookplate); gift of Mr. and Mrs. David Wagstaff in 1949.

     secundo folio: corporis animalis

     Bibliography: Faye and Bond, p. 26, no. 77.

     Barbara A. Shailor