First edition of this reference on the art of reading medieval and early modern documents, including engraved examples of letterfoms and abbreviations.
Very good.
Price: $700.00
Daniel Eberhard Baring certainly encountered numerous difficult-to-read manuscript documents and books as the under-librarian of the Royal Library in Hanover: one can sense his paleographic weariness as he makes note of the 20 different abbreviations for the Latin word "quod" he has encountered, and the six variations of the letter "a" present in a 15th-century legal document. Researchers and paleographers still make lists like these today: this cataloguer maintains a notebook for exactly this purpose.
In the CLAVIS DIPLOMATICA, Baring largely focuses on the art of reading official German documents such as deeds, wills, and court paperwork, all of which were often written by secretaries in specific styles. His use of engraved plates to copy exactly the forms of each letter, symbol, or abbreviation make this a still-useful reference for such material. Baring also includes a number of notary marks, which help identify the individuals involved in creating these documents.
Hanoverae [Hanover]: B. Nic. Försteri et Fili, 1737. Full title: Clavis diplomatica, tradens specimina veterum scripturarum, nimirum alphabeta varia, compendia scribendi medii aevi, notariorum veterum signa nonnulla curiosa, una cum alphabeto instrumenti et abbreviaturis. Quarto, 9.25'' x 7.25''. 19th-century half red marbled boards with red leather spine, gilt spine lettering, four raised bands. Edges speckled red. Green coated endpapers. 28 engraved plates and four fold-out engraved plates, with in-text illustrations and ornamental head and tailpieces. [8], 112, [2], 80 pages, collated complete (gathering Dd misbound after Ee). Contemporary ownership stamp to title page, "Captne Michiels." Ink owner name and shelfmark to front pastedown, dated '39. Binding with some scuffing and edgewear, some leather loss to head and tail of spine; small sharp bump to front board with accompanying small closed tears to first few gatherings. Leaves with scattered foxing. Sound.
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