Details

Subjects:

Anagrams -- Early works to 1800.
Cabala -- Early works to 1800.
Cabala.
Ciphers -- Early works to 1800.
Ciphers.
Numerology -- Early works to 1800.
Occultism -- Early works to 1800.
Palmistry -- Early works to 1800.
Palmistry.
Occultism.
Numerology.
Anagrams.

Form/Genre:

Codices.
Diagrams.
Manuals (instructional materials)
Manuscripts, Italian.
Manuscripts, European.

Language:

Italian and Latin.

Summary:

Collection of cabalistic texts that discuss numerology, ciphers, anagrams, and chiromancy with numerous tables and diagrams throughout.

Contents:

1. f.2r-17v: Scienza cabalistica. 2. f.19r-52v: Kabala triangolare di Abramo Auanez Ebreo. 3. f.54r-63r: Cabala Caldaica perfettissima. 4. f.64r-75v: Cabala angelica divina Salomonis in sepulchro Robohamis invenia. 5. f.77r-86r: Kabala chiromantica.

Notes:

Ms. codex.
Title from title page of first work (f. 2r).
Foliation: Paper, i (contemporary paper) + 87 + i (contemporary paper); [1-87]; modern foliation in pencil, lower right recto.
Layout: Written in 22 long lines.
Script: Written in a semi-cursive script by a single hand.
Decoration: Pen and ink diagrams of hands for use in chiromancy (f. 77r-81v).
Binding: Contemporary parchment. Front and back pastedowns are detached from boards. Paper is stained due to mold and moisture damage, particularly the first and last few leaves.
Origin: Written in Italy in the 18th century.

Local notes:

Purchased with support from the B. H. Breslauer Foundation.

Penn Provenance:

Formerly owned by Charles Rainsford (British army officer, fellow of the Royal Society, and alchemist); bequeathed by Rainsford to Hugh Percy, Second Duke of Northumberland.
Owned by the 2nd through 12th Dukes of Northumberland, ms. 591, Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, 1809-2014.
Sold at auction at Sotheby's (London), 15 July 2014, as part of Lot 411.

Cited as:

UPenn Ms. Codex 1680.

Contributor:

Rainsford, Charles, 1728-1809, former owner.
Northumberland, Hugh Percy, Duke of, 1742-1817, former owner.
Charles Rainsford Collection of Alchemical and Occult Manuscripts (University of Pennsylvania)

OCLC:

908764487

Web link:

Unique at Penn blog post