Beschreibung:

Elizabethan examples of manuscript initials, scripts and proverbs.- [Volume of 26 very fine and elaborate examples of historiated initials and examples of various manuscript scripts with proverbs comprising the 24 letters of the Elizabethan alphabet and 2 symbols], the initials in pen and ink with intricate and intertwining calligraphy and decorated in a wide variety of designs including flowers, leafy sprays, acorns, classical figures, dragons, a crowned king, a bear, a monkey blowing a trumpet, owls, an early Elizabethan aristocratic young woman "A vertvovs woman is a noble gyfte" (wearing a small ruff and an early form of Spanish farthingale dating from the 1560s to 1570s), a jester playing an instrument, birds, a satyr etc., most hand-coloured in muted grey, green and brown watercolour washes, manuscript scripts including a variety of Secretary hands, italic, Chancery, gothic bookhand etc., proverbs drawn from the bible (including "Despise not the coreccion of the lorde" - Proverbs 3 : 11), on paper, on rectos only, ?cut down from a larger work, all ff. edges and corners repaired and many margins reinforced with paper, slightly browned and marked in places, one or two ff. slightly creased, some edges chipped, tipped-in on later album ff., 19th century half morocco, edges and joints rubbed, each f. 305 x 210mm., album folio, Pot watermarks on some sheets [cf. Briquet 12801], 1560s - 70s. ⁂ A fine and extremely rare example of Elizabethan art probably drawn and illustrated by someone in the legal profession. Perhaps compiled by an apprentice scrivener to show his dexterity in producing elaborate legal documents with large historiated initials, and in a variety of scripts as required. Evidence that it was executed by a pupil for a master is indicated in the slight roughness of the drawings and letter forms.