Beschreibung:

SAMUEL of Ulm (Germany, mid-15th century). Sefer Minhagim (with many other texts). MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM The first section copied by [Jacob] son of Seligman Coburg, Treviso (Italy), completed on 12 Tammuz 5213 (= 1453); the second section copied by Isaac ben Mordecai Halevi [Italy, second half 15th century] 256 x 189 mm. 187 leaves. The codex consists of two separate manuscripts bound together. (Cropped, with loss of parts of letters on fol. 82, and of decoration on fol. 106v, ink occasionally faded, old silk repairs on fols. 55, 57, 58, large natural holes in fol. 49, occasionally strips of parchment were cut from the bottom margin, tear in the outer margin of fol. 3 with loss of two letters, other minor defects, generally in fine condition.) Modern blind and gold-tooled brown morocco, blue paste-patterned edges, two modern paper flyleaves at back and front. Section I : The first manuscript (fols. 1r-61v) was copied by the son of Seligman Coburg in Treviso (Italy). It is probable that the scribe was Jacob, son of Seligman Coburg (cf. J. Freimann's introduction to Sefer Leket Yosher , New York 1959, p. xxix, No. 44). According to colophons on fols. 43r and 51r, he began to copy the manuscript on 4 Sivan 5213 (= 1453) and completed it five weeks later on 12 Tammuz in Treviso. Measurements of fol. 12v: 256 x 192 mm; text space: 183 x 120 mm; upper margin: 20 mm, lower margin, 53 mm, inner margin: 37 mm, outer margin: 35 mm. 32 lines; ten lines: 56 mm. On vellum with equalized sides, traces of shaving. 63 leaves: 1-7 8, 8 6 (+ 1 before 1). Single horizontal catchwords with decoration at the end of all quires. Original prickings in outer margins cropped, plummet ruling applied to rectos and versos of the unfolded sheet. Dark brown ink. Semi-cursive Ashkenazic hand, square headings, numerous red flourishes and initials, some rather elaborate, especially on fols. 2r, 44r, 51r, 53r. Creative layouts, e.g. on fols. 21v-22r. Filling the line is achieved by dilation of letters, by anticipation of the next word, and by graphic fillers, 'shin' is the only broken letter; protruding lines occur occasionally. Section II : The second part of the codex (fols. 62r-187v) was copied by Isaac ben Mordecai Halevi and also dates to the second half of the 15th century. The scribe also copied MSS Parma, Palatina Cod. Parm. 2421, and Oxford, Bodleian Library, Mich. 78, fols. 143-190. Measurements of fol. 125r: 256 x 186 mm; text space: 209 x 145 mm; upper margin: 14 mm, lower margin 33 mm, inner margin: 8 mm, outer margin: 23 mm. 41 lines; ten lines: 50 mm. On vellum with distinguishable hair and flesh sides, arranged according to Gregory, traces of shaving. 124 leaves: 1-15 8 16 4. Red ink decoration (black on fol. 183v) of catchwords preserved at the bottom of all quires, single horizontal catchwords (at times partly cropped), catchword and decoration entirely preserved on fols. 159v, 167v and 175v. No prickings preserved, plummet ruling applied to rectos and versos of the unfolded sheet. Slightly varying layouts. Filling the line is achieved by dilation of letters and by the inclusion of single horizontal pen strokes of varying length toward the end of line; protruding lines occur but are often prevented by abbreviation of the last word in the line. Dark brown ink. Semi-cursive Ashkenazic hand, square headings, numerous red flourishes and initials CONTENTS: Section I : The first part of the manuscript (fols. 1r-63v) contains: Fols. 1rv: numerous pen trials, probably by the original scribe, scribbles, a listing of the manuscript's content, and experiments with secret writing in Hebrew (deciphered: Abraham Isaac Jacob). For a more detailed discussion of such ciphers, see: E.G.L. Schrijver, 'The colophon page of the Esslingen Mahzor', in Studia Rosenthaliana 21 (1987) p. 192-195. I. Fols. 1r-43r: Sefer Minhagim . The Minhagim book (ritual customs), was compiled by Samuel of Ulm according to the teachings of R. Seligman Coburg (the father of the c