Ethiopian Christian Ge\'ez Bible Handwritten Manuscript Vellum with Leather Cover
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Ethiopian Christian Ge\'ez Bible Handwritten Manuscript Vellum with Leather Cover:
$255.00
This sale is for a rareilluminated Ge\'ezhandwritten manuscript manuscript book, with a wooden panel on the front and another wooden panel on the back (see the 1st scanned image). It has two leather covers (see the 2nd scanned image). It has 192 pages. It is written on vellum (not paper),with writing on both sides of each leaf. The vellum animal skin shows somediscoloration and wrinkles due toage, water damage, and liturgical use over the centuries. Also notice thedifference between the small black hair follicle marks on the \"hair\"side and the very smooth \"skin\" side of the vellum, whichis often not flat but wrinkled. Sometimes there are smears in the ink on the vellum. There are four black string bindings, and it looks like the blue threads in the binding are more recent. It should be pointed out that the seriesof vertical pin-prick holes in the vellum in the outer margin were made as aguide to the scribe for the placement and alignment of each line. Thesize is about 3 1/2 in. x 5 in. Some sheets have unusual \"cross\" designs or symbols that have red-ink andblack-ink marks, and probably these designs indicate the beginning of a new verse.
The 1st page shows the beginning of the text with a design at the top (see the 3rd scanned image). On p. 74 there is a unique design at the top of the page (see the 4th scanned image). On p. 138 there is a different design at the top of the page (see the 5th scanned image). Another, different design is found on p. 150 (see the 6th scanned image). In several instances the animal skin has a hole in it that is original to the preparing of the hide or parchment. Also, there is one case where the hole in the vellum has a tear as well, which has been sear back together (see the 7th scanned image, with the green sheet underneath showing the hole better).
I do not read theEthiopian Ge\'ez language and do not know the age of these manuscript book, but I wouldestimate time period as early 19th century to mid-19th century. Also, the following is an account of its provenance. My husband about 15 years ago had a colleague in the University of Utah Marriott Library that volunteered during the summers at the Addis Ababa University Library in Ethiopia. My husband got from her the name of the head librarian, and then contacted him, in order to make arrangements to purchase a manuscript written in Ge\'ez. The result was the item on sale now. The librarian made all the arrangements for it to be sent to us. I do NOT know the Ge\'ez language, but using Charles William Isenberg\'s \"Dictionary of the Amharic Language\" (which is free on google) I am able to see for certain that this is Ge\'ez manuscript book.
This is an original handwritten manuscript book onvellum, not a modern reproduction. Its authenticity is 100%guaranteed.
Guarantee of Authenticity. All of the documents (whether handwrittenmanuscripts or printed texts) we sell are ORIGINALS. We guaranteeeverything we sell to be original and authentic. Due to their age, someimperfections can be expected, so please read our descriptions and view ourscanned images carefully. We stand behind our inventory and want to make surethat all of our clients are completely satisfied with their purchases.
Ethiopian Christian Ge\'ez Bible Handwritten Manuscript Vellum with Leather Cover:
$255.00