Autograph proverb collection of Martin Luther; Germany, 16th century, first half
MS. Add. A. 92
Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
Description
From Medieval manuscripts in Oxford libraries
This is an extract only. For more information, see the catalogue record in Medieval manuscripts in Oxford libraries.
Medieval manuscripts in Oxford libraries contains descriptions of all known Western medieval manuscripts held in the Bodleian Libraries, and of medieval manuscripts in selected Oxford colleges. Learn more.
Title
Autograph proverb collection of Martin Luther; Germany, 16th century, first half
Shelfmark
MS. Add. A. 92
Place of origin
Germany
Date
16th century, first half
Language
German
Latin
Contents
Form
codex
Support
Paper. Thiele notes that the watermark (monogram) is also found on the manuscript (also in this note-paper format) of Luther’s tract Wider Hans Worst, which was written and published in 1541
Physical extent
20 leaves
Hands
Cursive, by Martin Luther, in several shades of reddish brown and pink ink.
Decoration
None
Binding
The gutter margin has holes from earlier stab-stitching. Now apparently sewn on two bands and bound in thin pasteboards covered with comb-marbled paper; the spine with a green paper label inscribed ‘Luthers eigne Hand’. Kept in a dark blue leather slipcase lettered in gilt capitals ‘M. Luther. Autograph.’ on the spine and on one side.
Acquisition
Bought by the Bodleian, 10 March 1865, for £45. Former Bodleian shelfmarks: ‘MS. Addit. Bodl. II. C. 12.’ and ‘Addit. A. 92.’ A set of photos taken in 1890 is now MS. Add. A. 92* (SC 31001).
Provenance
Successive members of the Lingke family, including Johann Theodor Lingke (1720–1801), theologian of at Wittenberg and Torgau, who wrote a number of works about Luther.
At his death the manuscript passed to his son, August Theodor Lingke, who died celibate in Dresden in 1838
Inherited by his nephew Wilhelm Becher, who sold it in 1862.
H. Skutsch, bookseller, Breslau, Catalogue 89 (1862), no. 1412, priced 300 Thaler.
Deighton, Bell, & Co., booksellers, Cambridge.
View full record in Medieval manuscripts in Oxford libraries
From Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts
This is an extract only. For more information, see the catalogue record in Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts.
Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts contains descriptions of the Bodleian Libraries’ archival collections, including post-1500 manuscripts. Some manuscripts with records in other catalogues are also described here as part of a description of a larger archive. Learn more.
Title
German proverbs in the handwriting of Martin Luther
Shelfmark
MS. Add. A. 92
Summary
German proverbs in the handwriting of Martin Luther, beg. without title 'Art gehet vber kunst', ends with one Latin proverb 'deus abscondit finem'.
(pp. 35-40) are blank.
Date
chiefly written in the first half of the 16th century by M. Luther
Language
German
Latin
Physical facet
On paper, in a cloth case 8 3/8 × 5 1/8 × 3/4 in.
Physical extent
40 pages
View full record in Bodleian Archives & Manuscripts
Collection contents
German proverbs in the handwriting of Martin Luther and relating documents
German proverbs in the handwriting of Martin Luther
