Ɵ Decretals, in Latin, from a large manuscript on parchment [Italy, 14th century]

Ɵ Leaf from a copy of the Decretals, in Latin, from a large manuscript on parchment[Italy, fourteenth century] Single vast leaf, with main text in double columns of 38 lines of rounded gothic bookhand (Italian rotunda or littera bononiensis), with encircling marginal gloss in approximately 100 smaller lines of same, the gloss at the foot of the recto arranged into interlocking triangle shapes, other near-contemporary marginalia filling up originally blank spaces, running titles in blue or red initials at head of pages ('L. I'), one-line initials in red or blue, tall and slender initials in red or blue with contrasting penwork, some script on recto flaked away, but text still legible, small spots, else good and presentable condition, 450 by 290mm.; in cloth-covered card binding Provenance: Schøyen Collection, London and Oslo, their MS 1977, acquired Quaritch, London, December 1994.