Shelfmark
MS 261
Author
Homer
Uniform title
[Odyssey]
Title
Homer, Odyssey and Batrachomyomarchia (in Greek). manuscript
Publication, distribution, etc.
Florence, between 1442 and 1495.
Physical description
1 volume (201 leaves) : parchment, ill. ; 27.5 x 18 cm.
Note
The Odyssey (ff. 2-197) and Batrachomyomachia (ff. 198-202) of Homer, in Greek, written by Johannes Skoutariotes, who according to E. Lobel, Queen's College, Oxford was active between 1442 and 1494.
Note
Foliation: leaves numbered 2-202 (?1 leaf missing).
Note
Illumination: The first page of the text is finely illuminated with white vine borders incorporating a correction to the text, and two scenes of the Odyssey in medallions. The illuminator is identified by Tommaso de Marinis as Filippo Torelli.
Note
Initials: small illuminated initials in blue, green, crimson and gold.
Note
The binding in part calf with uncovered wooden boards is typical of the library of San Marco, Florence.
Note
Written in Florence.
Note
Ownership inscription in the top left corner of the end flyleaf, almost completely erased: "Liber Georgii Antonii Vespucci", the uncle of Amerigo Vespucci.
Note
Provenance: Phillipps MS 6550; purchased by Sir Thomas Phillips in 1833 from Payne and Foss. Loosely inserted letter dated 18 March 1833 informing Sir Thomas that a list of the MSS from St Mark's Florence is being sent to him, but that the Homer Odyssey is not inserted as its number was not known.
Note
Provenance: Purchased by John Hely-Hutchinson in July 1947 from W. H. Robinson Ltd, and presented by him to Eton in June 1954.
Note
This catalogue record is based on the curatorial description in the interleaved, annotated copy of M.R. James's Descriptive catalogue of the manuscripts in the library of Eton College (1895) held at ECL.
Cite as
Eton College Library, MS 261
Additional physical form available
Reproduction available; Bodleian Library; Eton College Library should be contacted for permission to reproduce; SN 4894.01
Provenance
Inscription of the Dominican humanist Giorgio Antonio Vespucci (1434-1514), the majority of whose library was donated to the convent of San Marco, Florence in 1499.
Provenance
Belonged to Sir Thomas Phillipps (see above).
Provenance
Donated to Eton College Library by John Hely-Hutchinson in 1954.
Binding
15th century Italian binding typical of the library of San Marco, Florence: partly uncovered wooden boards with leather spine.
Subject
Homer Odyssey
Subject
Homer Batrachomyomachia
Subject
Manuscripts.
Added entry--name
Skoutariotes, Johannes scribe.
Added entry--name
Vespucci, Giorgio Antonio, ca. 1434 - 1514 former owner.
Added entry--name
Phillipps, Thomas, 1792 - 1872 Sir former owner.
Added entry--name
Hely-Hutchinson, J. W., 1882 - 1955 donor.
Added entry--name
Homer Batrachomyomachia
Added entry--name
Biblioteca di San Marco (Florence, Italy) former owner.
Added entry--place
Italy Florence.
Language code
grc
Identifier
B50899