Items
Details
Title
Letter writing formulary [manuscript], 1613.
Description
1 v. (76 leaves) ; 13 x 19 cm (oblong 8vo)
Associated name
James I, King of England, 1566-1625.
Scope and content
Formulary, beginning "Jacobus Dei gratia Magna Britanniae Franciae & Hiberniae rex fidei Defensor &c," consisting of modes of address to 67 fellow monarchs and heads of church and state throughout continental Europe, North Africa, and near Asia (leaves 4v-40). Written in a variety of calligraphic scripts, appropriate to the recipients: French court hand for French royalty and nobility, flamboyant or formal Italic for others. Many blank leaves, 24 of which were used ca. 1730 by a not-highly-literate artisan to record recipes for dying large quantities of cloth (leaves 2v-3r, 66-77). Quantities in these recipes are prescribed in pounds, gallons, and pails and are for producing a variety of colors, including "origenel red," "a bloom culler," and "chocalate callor."
Note
The manuscript was most likely written no earlier than the second half of 1613, and probably not much later: Friedrich Ulrich, Duke of Brunswick, succeeded 30 July 1613, upon the death of his father, and Michael Romanov became Tsar of Russia on 11 July 1613.
Foliation added by cataloger. A leaf is possibly lacking between leaves 14 and 15, where traces of a stub appear. Leaves 35-37r, 41-65 are blank.
Foliation added by cataloger. A leaf is possibly lacking between leaves 14 and 15, where traces of a stub appear. Leaves 35-37r, 41-65 are blank.
Binding information
Finely bound in contemporary brown goatskin, blind- and gilt-decorated panels, gilt edges, remains of green silk ties.
Source of acquisition
Acquired from Arthur Freeman in 2009.
Genre/form
Manuscripts (documents)
Place of creation/publication
Great Britain -- England.
Item Details
Call number
V.a.603
Folger accession
265178.1