Case 15
Bible, in Latin. England (probably Oxford), thirteenth century. Reed MS1.
This Vulgate Bible of 369 vellum leaves is the Reed Collection’s oldest bound manuscript, dating from the second quarter of the thirteenth century. It was written in England and was still in use there into at least the fifteenth century. In the mid-nineteenth century it was rebound into its present dark-brown morocco over wooden boards. It was purchased for the Reed Collection from London book dealer Henry Hyman in 1954.
The book is open at Malachi 1:1 to Maccabees 1: 17.
Bible, in Latin. England, ca. 1275. Reed MS2.
This late thirteenth century Vulgate Bible is written in a very small Gothic bookhand. Decorated initials of five to eight lines introduce the biblical books. The initials incorporate floral designs, as well as human, animal, bird and grotesque figures. The manuscript is open at Exodus 40:29 to Leviticus 3:2.
Bible, in Latin. France or England, ca. 1275. Reed MS3.
This manuscript is open at Job 41:17-Psalms 7:12, with a historiated initial ‘B’ depicting King David (often attributed as author of the Psalms) playing a lyre. Six-to-seven-line decorated initials introduce the biblical books, and two-line red and blue chapter initials appear throughout this thirteenth century Bible.
