We are pleased to present a fascinating selection of illuminated manuscripts, single leaves and fragments ranging from the 8th to the 16th centuries. From the imperial and papal chancelleries, the fringes of the Carolingian empire to centres of manuscript production, this auction unites a diverse range of historically and artistically important pieces. We are particularly delighted to feature a rare 8th century bifolium of an Anglo-Saxon Sacramentary, most likely in the possession of St Boniface. The manuscript in which the leaves originated would have played a central role in the Saint’s perilous mission to Germany. Our fragments are the only recorded 8th century Anglo-Saxon leaves with significant decoration in private hands. An exciting discovery is a Catalan fragment of the Homiliary of Luculentius. Written by the elusive monk Luculentius, this document offers a new puzzle piece for current research into the culture of the Carolingian Empire in Catalonia and Spain. Fascinating insights into changing devotional practices and the aesthetic of Gothic art are provided by a 13th century Psalter from the Southern Netherlands. With its full-page illuminations, historiated and numerous golden initials, the Psalter embodies the splendour of daily devotion while its text selection and later emendations show the continued relevance of the manuscript. Refined and eye-catching is a Book of Hours in Dutch created by the Masters of the Zwolle Bible. The artists of this workshop created delicate and vibrant manuscripts which were particularly popular with a female readership. The manuscript we are proud to present is a very fine example of the workshop’s artistic legacy.

Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts

Travel, Natural History, and Science

From the Library at Chillington Hall

Antiquarian Books and Manuscripts (15th–18th Centuries)

Modern Books and Manuscripts (19th Century–Present Day)

Among the musical offerings in the sale are a number of extraordinary discoveries, including an unrecorded and unpublished complete scena by Donizetti for his 1828 opera L'esule di Roma, a couple of unpublished sketchleaves by Bellini for Norma, and Gounod’s long untraceable autograph full score of the incidental music to Jules Barbier’s drama Jeanne d’Arc, a 300-page manuscript dedicated to the composer’s friends Henry and Georgina Weldon. In addition to other fine autograph manuscripts by Bellini, Donizetti, Ponchielli, Balfe, and Richard Strauss (his unpublished orchestration of Alexander Ritter’s song “Nun hält Frau Minne Liebeswacht”), the sale also contains some remarkable letters, notably: one by Haydn to his publisher C.G. Breitkopf; a highly personal collection of Puccini family member letters to Sybil Seligman concerning the composer’s last weeks and the aftermath of his death; and a largely unpublished archive of correspondence (over 250 letters in all) between the towering nineteenth-century violin virtuoso Joseph Joachim and his friend the pianist and composer Ernst Rudorff.

Music

London

Head of Department | Europe

Dr. David Goldthorpe

Director | Specialist

Dr. Gabriel  Heaton

Specialist | Illuminated Manuscripts 

Dr. Natascha Domeisen

Cataloguer

William Passey

Music Consultant 

John Arthur

Meet our Specialists

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Lots 1–39: Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts Lots 40–93: Travel, Natural History, and Science Lots 94–117: Antiquarian Books and Manuscripts (15th–18th Centuries) Lots 118–142: Modern Books and Manuscripts (19th Century–Present Day) Lots 143–162: Music

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Books, Manuscripts and Music from Medieval to Modern