MS. Canonici Or. 56
Oriental Manuscripts Canonici Oriental Collection
Contents
Hebrew Bible: Writings
Continuation of MS Can. Or. 69. The beginning of the MS (Pentateuch, Former Prophets and the beginning of Jeremiah) can be found in Parma (MSS. Parm. 2946–2947——De Rossi 604)
This volume contains the books of Ruth, Psalms, Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Lamentations, Daniel, Esther, Ezra (Nehemiah) and Chronicles.
Physical Description
Collation
Layout
Text in two columns; ruling and pricking are often visible.
Hand(s)
Ashkenazi square script. Decorated initial words at the head of books in Sephardi square script.
Decoration
Decorated pen-flourished initial words (e.g. fol.2v, 4v, 39v, 53r, 64v, 69v, 71v, 74r, 84r, 89v, 105v).
Binding
Leather binding, blind-tooled.
History
Provenance and Acquisition
Matteo Luigi Canonici's (1727-1805) collections passed to his brother Giuseppe, and on his death in 1807 to Giovanni Perissinotti and Girolamo Cardina, who divided them. To the former fell the MSS., then about 3550 in number, and, after many attempts to sell them, the Bodleian became the purchaser of the greater part in 1817, for £5444 5s. 1d., or including incidental expenses about £6030, the largest single purchase ever made by the Library. The formal list of volumes handed over was signed on May 18, 1817, and the books probably arrived later that year.
Record Sources
Availability
Entry to read in the Library is permitted only on presentation of a valid reader's card (for admissions procedures contact Bodleian Admissions). Contact specialcollections.enquiries@bodleian.ox.ac.uk for further information on the availability of this manuscript.
Microfilm
MSS R.R. Film No. F 33092