Beinecke MS 694
Tivoli, 1471
Gaspare Zacchi, Bononiensium res publica

f. 1r blank

1. f. 1v		Insigne rei publice Bononiensium [coat of arms in a wreath].

2. f. 2r-v	Prologus. Gaspar Zacchius Volaterranus, Auximatum episcopus Tyburtineque arcis 
prefectus, sexdecimviris civitatis Bononie s(alutem) d(icit). Dum Bononie apud clarissimum 
Bessarionem cardinalem legatum vestrum protonotarius Volaterranus tunc temporis nuncupatus 
agebam, perplacuit in vestra spetiosissima [corr. by other hand into clarissima] res publica animo 
meo hesit atque inscidit vehementer ... ut vos, qui ceterarum rerum rei publice potestatem 
potissimum obtinetis, commentariolos quoque de ea loquentes in vestra potestate habeatis. 
Valete. Datum in [this word added by other hand  above the line] insignissima Tyburtina arce 
tercio kal. Decembris Christiane salutis anno M.CCCC.LXXI.

3. ff. 3r-9r	Gasparis Zacchii Volaterrani, Auximatis episcopi, Bononiensium res publica
[heading on f. 2v]. I. Res publica Bononiensium nec ex optimatibus nec ex plebeis constat 
omnino, sed ex utrisque mixta existit ... Cuius rei merito mea sententia ipsa res publica magnam 
ei obedientiam, reverentiam fidemque prestare tenetur. Finis.	f. 9v blank

4. f. 10r	Insigne auctoris [coat of arms in a wreath].		f. 10v blank

Artt. 1-4: Gaspare Zacchi, Bononiensium res publica. The author (d. 1474) in 1450-1455, being 
protonotary of Volterra, was a member of Cardinal Bessarion's legation to Bologna. In 1460 he 
became bishop of Osimo. At the time he wrote the present treatise he was prefect of Tivoli ("Arx 
Tiburtina").


Parchment (goatskin), ff. II + 10 + II, 155 x 95 mm.; the outer quire side is hair side.

I10.

Almost invisble ruling in brown crayon for one column of 16 lines below top line, 104 x 65 mm. 

Copied by a single scribe writing Humanistica Cursiva Formata very close in aspect to 
Humanistica Textualis, with relatively numerous and unusual abbreviations. A second hand, 
probably the author, has corrected the scribe's errors.

Chapter numbering in the outer margins in Roman numerals written in pale red ink. The headings 
of artt. 1, 3 and 4 and "Finis" on f. 9r are written in Capitalis in pale red ink. The nine chapters of 
art. 3 open with a plain initial alternately blue and pale red. Between two chapters one line is left 
free. Art. 2 opens with a 3-line gold initial on a blue-red-green rectangular background decorated 
with white and gold penwork. Art. 3 opens with a 5-line white vinestem initial with full-length 
marginal extension. Art. 1 contains the coat of arms of the city of Bologna, art. 4 the coat of arms 
of the author, both in full colour.

Binding s. XIXin by Rene Simier (d. 1826): citron morocco over pasteboard, both covers with 
delicate gold-tooled frame, the spine gold-tooled, with gold-tooled title "GASP. / RESP." and 
binder's signature at the foot "REL. P(ar) SI.". Gilt edges. Grey marbled endpapers. The first 
flyleaf (f. I, the recto covered with  marbled endpaper) has on its verso rake ruling for one 
column of at least 21 lines traced in light brown ink, without vertical bounding lines.

Most probably the dedication copy, sent by the author from Tivoli to the Signoria of Bologna on 
or soon after 29 Nov. 1471 (see art. 2). In the early nineteenth century in the possession of 
Auguste Chardin at Paris; see Catalogue de livres precieux, manuscrits et
imprimes sur peau-v‚lin 
du Cabinet de M. *** [Auguste Chardin] (Paris, 1811), no. 219. Sale of the Chardin library, Paris, 
9 Febr. 1824, lot 2448 (see on the first fly-leaf v the pencil note "2448 Chardin"). Sir Thomas 
Phillipps (1792-1872; his stamp on the same page, with the number "864"). Sotheby sale of 
Phillipps manuscripts, London, 30 Nov. 1965, lot 35. Collection of Major J.R. Abbey (1894-
1969; his bookplate on the front pastedown), MS JA. 7353. Sotheby sale of Abbey library, 
London, the eleventh portion, after 1978........, lot 3023. Purchased on the Edwin J. Beinecke 
Fund.

Bibliography:
J.J.G. Alexander, A.C. de la Mare, The Italian Manuscripts in the Library of Major J.R. Abbey 
(London, 1969), no. 37 and pl. XI.VIb.

Albert Derolez

R 17.02.09