May 1, 2024 10:00 EST

Rare Books, Autographs & Maps

 
Lot 44
 

44

The Rules of St. Augustine about 1350, from an English priory

[MANUSCRIPT]

AUGUSTINE of HIPPO, Saint. [REGULA]. De Vita Clericor[um] cum Expositione [catch-title]. England, possibly written at Llanthony [Lanthony] Secunda Priory in Gloucestershire: circa second or third quarter of the fourteenth century. 18th century brown calf, covers tooled in blind, spine gilt with the name of [Anthony] Gifford at the foot (see below). 9 x 5 5/8 inches (22.75 x 14 cm), the leaf size is somewhat variable throughout. Text consists of 2 ff., a pair of preliminary leaves functioning as endpapers with a text written in a English cursive bookhand of the period, a repurposed document; 48 ff., f.1 recto with a fine large six-line populated initial H of St. Augustine at his desk, writing; each Regula followed by a commentary marked Expositione, this text probably by pseudo HUGH of St. Victor Expositio regulae Sancti Augustini; the whole written in Latin in black-brown ink in a highly legible formal Gothic bookhand, 26 lines to the page, the section headings and paragraph marks in red, initials in red and blue with decorative penwork in contrasting colors, pricking marks evident on some leaves, the verso of the final leaf with another text in a different and rather fine hand headed Explicit explication brevissima orationes…; 4 terminal ff. functioning as endleaves in a 14th or 15th century English cursive bookhand, the rubricated heading on the recto of the third of these leaves stating “Lanthon ex Gloucestri” and the text on these leaves with extensive mentions of Llanthony and the De Bohun family, who were traditionally buried in the Chapter House at Lanthony. Front joint cracked through, holding on two cords, the binding worn but probably restorable, the vellum of the text with occasional natural holes that are coeval with the text (carefully avoided by the scribe), some moderate soiling and wear to the preliminary and terminal leaves, the Regula itself generally clean, occasional annotations in mostly early hands, a few leaves trimmed or short well clear of the text, and perhaps originally thus. The origin of the manuscript is indicated (as noted above) at the rear—in the approximately coeval addenda—as being from the monastery of Llanthony Secunda, i.e. the second establishment (founded 1136) in Gloucester after the destruction of the original monastery in Wales by "barbarous peoples." It is possibly from the donation of John Leeche, who bequeathed 57 manuscripts to Llanthony in 1361, but is perhaps more likely to be a domestic production of the Priory. Later owned by the 18th century antiquary Anthony Gifford, with his bookplate on the recto of the front free endpaper, with what are likely his notes on the work on the paste-down; apparently sold in 1776 at auction by Baker & Leigh (the predecessor firm to Sotheby's) to Dr. John Campbell (see old note at head of paste-down); later with the Library of the Baptist College, Bristol, early 19th century.

The Rule of St. Augustine is among the earliest of all monastic rules, written about 400, and it was an influence on all that succeeded it. The commentary, presented in parallel with each of the separate Regula, was widely circulated as writings by Hugh of Saint Victor (circa 1096-1141), although an exact attribution has not yet been settled. These two texts were naturally to be found in many religious establishments, but here we have a specimen that was used in a small Augustinian priory in Gloucestershire that had been driven out of its original setting on the Welsh Marches by border unrest. The walls of Llanthony still exist today, although it was suppressed during the Dissolution. English manuscripts of this type are quite rare, and the present example deserves careful research, especially for the ancillary texts that have been used as endsheets.

Sold for $102,100
Estimated at $8,000 - $12,000

Includes Buyer's Premium


 

[MANUSCRIPT]

AUGUSTINE of HIPPO, Saint. [REGULA]. De Vita Clericor[um] cum Expositione [catch-title]. England, possibly written at Llanthony [Lanthony] Secunda Priory in Gloucestershire: circa second or third quarter of the fourteenth century. 18th century brown calf, covers tooled in blind, spine gilt with the name of [Anthony] Gifford at the foot (see below). 9 x 5 5/8 inches (22.75 x 14 cm), the leaf size is somewhat variable throughout. Text consists of 2 ff., a pair of preliminary leaves functioning as endpapers with a text written in a English cursive bookhand of the period, a repurposed document; 48 ff., f.1 recto with a fine large six-line populated initial H of St. Augustine at his desk, writing; each Regula followed by a commentary marked Expositione, this text probably by pseudo HUGH of St. Victor Expositio regulae Sancti Augustini; the whole written in Latin in black-brown ink in a highly legible formal Gothic bookhand, 26 lines to the page, the section headings and paragraph marks in red, initials in red and blue with decorative penwork in contrasting colors, pricking marks evident on some leaves, the verso of the final leaf with another text in a different and rather fine hand headed Explicit explication brevissima orationes…; 4 terminal ff. functioning as endleaves in a 14th or 15th century English cursive bookhand, the rubricated heading on the recto of the third of these leaves stating “Lanthon ex Gloucestri” and the text on these leaves with extensive mentions of Llanthony and the De Bohun family, who were traditionally buried in the Chapter House at Lanthony. Front joint cracked through, holding on two cords, the binding worn but probably restorable, the vellum of the text with occasional natural holes that are coeval with the text (carefully avoided by the scribe), some moderate soiling and wear to the preliminary and terminal leaves, the Regula itself generally clean, occasional annotations in mostly early hands, a few leaves trimmed or short well clear of the text, and perhaps originally thus. The origin of the manuscript is indicated (as noted above) at the rear—in the approximately coeval addenda—as being from the monastery of Llanthony Secunda, i.e. the second establishment (founded 1136) in Gloucester after the destruction of the original monastery in Wales by "barbarous peoples." It is possibly from the donation of John Leeche, who bequeathed 57 manuscripts to Llanthony in 1361, but is perhaps more likely to be a domestic production of the Priory. Later owned by the 18th century antiquary Anthony Gifford, with his bookplate on the recto of the front free endpaper, with what are likely his notes on the work on the paste-down; apparently sold in 1776 at auction by Baker & Leigh (the predecessor firm to Sotheby's) to Dr. John Campbell (see old note at head of paste-down); later with the Library of the Baptist College, Bristol, early 19th century.

The Rule of St. Augustine is among the earliest of all monastic rules, written about 400, and it was an influence on all that succeeded it. The commentary, presented in parallel with each of the separate Regula, was widely circulated as writings by Hugh of Saint Victor (circa 1096-1141), although an exact attribution has not yet been settled. These two texts were naturally to be found in many religious establishments, but here we have a specimen that was used in a small Augustinian priory in Gloucestershire that had been driven out of its original setting on the Welsh Marches by border unrest. The walls of Llanthony still exist today, although it was suppressed during the Dissolution. English manuscripts of this type are quite rare, and the present example deserves careful research, especially for the ancillary texts that have been used as endsheets.

Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, May 1, 2024

  • Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on May 1, 2024 Totals $1.2 Million

  • A Medieval Manuscript Rules of St. Augustine Achieves $102k

  • Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions


NEW YORK, NY -- Competitive bidding at Doyle’s May 1, 2024 auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps drove strong prices and a sale total that topped $1.2 million, surpassing expectations.

Featured in the sale was a fascinating selection of early manuscripts that achieved exceptional results. Highlighting the group was a 14th century manuscript of the Rules of St. Augustine from an English priory that soared over its $8,000-12,000 estimate to realize a stunning $102,100. The Rule of St. Augustine is among the earliest of all monastic rules, created about 400, and it was an influence on all that succeeded it. Other notable results included a 14th century Etymologiae of St. Isidore estimated at $5,000-8,000 that achieved $51,200 and a 15th century Prayer Book of Jehan Bernachier estimated at $10,000-15,000 that sold for $28,800.

A first edition of John James Audubon's octavo Birds of America sold for $41,600, far over its $25,000-35,000 estimate. Published in 1840-1844 in seven volumes, the first octavo edition was the final Birds of America publication overseen by Audubon in his lifetime.

The Fred Rotondaro Collection offered rare books and manuscripts on a range of subjects touching the African American experience in the United States over three centuries. A first edition copy of Frederick Douglass’ 1876 speech at the unveiling of the Freedman's Monument in Washington realized $12,800, far exceeding its $3,000-5,000 estimate. A first edition of the first issue of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin from 1852 also achieved $12,800.

Highlighting the range of offerings from the Ken Harte Collection of Natural History was a first edition Richard Bowdler Sharpe’s beautifully illustrated monograph of Kingfishers, 1868-71, that sold for $14,080, doubling its $6,000-8,000 estimate. It was accompanied by an inscribed copy of the rare unfinished chapter on the anatomy of the kingfisher by James Murie.


We Invite You to Auction!

Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary auction evaluation. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.

For information, please contact Peter Costanzo at 212-427-4141 ext 248, Edward Ripley-Duggan at ext 234, or Noah Goldrach at ext 226, or email Books@Doyle.com

View all lots in this sale

Sell one like this

Your Details

Item Details

Current Location of Item(s)

Images *

Drag and drop .jpg images here to upload, or click here to select images.


Doyle Contact

Marketing Preferences