Arithmetique, calligraphic manual on the practical applications of the subject, in French, manuscript on paper [France, 16 April 1774]

Arithmetique, calligraphic manual on the practical applications of the subject, in French, manuscript on paper [France, 16 April 1774]

208 leaves, evidently complete, with single column of 24 long lines of a good italic hand, larger calligraphic script in faded red for rubrics, some line fillers in same, sums set within text columns, a few pages with ink split on them, some ink burn (but with little affect to text), overall in good condition, 285 by 220mm.; contemporary brown leather pasteboards, remains of green silk ties, edges of binding somewhat rubbed and slightly loose in places

This impressively large volume was copied for a student of a priest named Sieur Perie, perhaps the Barthe Remi who wrote his name on an endleaf. Inscriptions on the first and last leaves show that work on it was begun on 5 October 1773, and it was completed on 16 April the following year. It was presumably some form of graduation award, completed as part of his scribal and accountancy studies.