Ethiopian Christian Ge\'ez Bible Handwritten Manuscript on Vellum, Gospel of John
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Ethiopian Christian Ge\'ez Bible Handwritten Manuscript on Vellum, Gospel of John:
$475.00
This sale is for a rareilluminated Ge\'ezhandwritten manuscript manuscript book, with a wooden panel on the front and another on the back, both being covered by leather (see the 5th scanned image). It is written on vellum (not paper),with writing on both sides. 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. 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 4 3/4 in. x 6 in. This sheet has many beautifuland unusual \"cross\" designs or symbols that have red-ink andblack-ink marks, and probably these designs indicate the beginning of a new verse(see the scanned images). This book contains two hand-drawn illustrations: one is of the Apostle John (see the 3rd scanned image) and one is of the Virgin Mary with the baby Jesus (see the 4th scanned image).
I do not read theEthiopian Ge\'ez language and do not know the age of these leaves, but I wouldestimate them 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 he contacted him, in order to make arrangements to purchase a gospel manuscript written in Ge\'ez. The result was the item on sale now, at exactly the same price as he paid, $475. 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 Ge\'ez book is indeed the Gospel of John (see some of the sheets in the last scanned image).
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 on Vellum, Gospel of John:
$475.00