Beinecke MS 307               Italy [?], s. XVII-XVIII
Gradual

1. pp. i-ii blank, p. iii [Title page:] Graduale a Dominica
Passionis usque ad Dominicam Sanctissime Trinitatis exclusive; p. iv blank;
pp. 1-127 Iudica me Deus, et discerne causam meam...sed nescit unde ueniat
aut quo uadat, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. p. 128 ruled for music, but
blank

     Gradual with masses from Passion Sunday through Sabbato quattuor
temporum; musical notation only partially filled in for the mass of
the vigil of Pentecost (p. 111).

2. pp. 129-130 Table of contents to art. 1, with references to
contemporary pagination.

3. pp. 131-136 Alphabetical list of incipits to art. 1, arranged
according to the nature of the text (introit, gradual, tract, halleluiah,
offertory or postcommunion), with references to contemporary
pagination.

     Paper (watermarks buried in gutter), ff. ii (paper bifolio, i = front
pastedown) + ii (contemporary paper bifolio, paginated i-iv) + 68
(contemporary pagination in red, 1-127; pagination in pencil, 128-136) + ii
(paper bifolio, ii = back pastedown), 232 x 171 (202 x 143) mm. Ruling for
4-line staves in brown ink; no other ruling.
     I-XVII^^4.
     Written in large round cursive script with loops.
     Title page in red square capitals surrounded by a frame incorporating red
and black dots; headings on pp. 129 and 131 in red capitals and black or red
imitating roman font. Clusters of stylised ivy alternating red and black, pp.
129 and 130 (art. 2), 131 and 136 (art. 3). Divisions in art. 2 indicated by red
dots enclosed in a red rectangle. Initials in text of 1 line plus 1 staff or
less, in red. Headings in red.
     Binding:  s. xviii-xix.  Yellow edges.  Brown sheepskin spattered on the
outside and streaked on the turn-ins.

Written in the 17th or 18th century, possibly in Italy; early provenance
unknown. Ownership note torn away from front pastedown.
Given by Philip M. Neufeld in honor Alexander Knoff, in 1960.

Barbara A. Shailor