Schoenberg Institute for Manuscript Studies
@sims-mss.bsky.social
We post about manuscripts, mostly from UPenn. SIMS brings manuscript culture, modern technology and people together.
https://schoenberginstitute.org/
https://schoenberginstitute.org/
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air, are heading home again.
- Mary Oliver, "Wild Geese"
A goose heads home in the bottom margin of f. 312v, Ms. Codex 724, a 13th century illuminated Bible #DrolleryDonnerstag
🔗: https://bit.ly/4gNmqRc
- Mary Oliver, "Wild Geese"
A goose heads home in the bottom margin of f. 312v, Ms. Codex 724, a 13th century illuminated Bible #DrolleryDonnerstag
🔗: https://bit.ly/4gNmqRc
November 13, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air, are heading home again.
- Mary Oliver, "Wild Geese"
A goose heads home in the bottom margin of f. 312v, Ms. Codex 724, a 13th century illuminated Bible #DrolleryDonnerstag
🔗: https://bit.ly/4gNmqRc
- Mary Oliver, "Wild Geese"
A goose heads home in the bottom margin of f. 312v, Ms. Codex 724, a 13th century illuminated Bible #DrolleryDonnerstag
🔗: https://bit.ly/4gNmqRc
Sometimes your parchment is imperfect, but you use it anyway. This leaf has a large hole that was caused during the processing of the animal skin. Part of the hole was sewn up using thick thread, and then the scribe just wrote around it. (UPenn Ms. Codex 747) #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/3WqLDYc
🔗: https://bit.ly/3WqLDYc
November 11, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Sometimes your parchment is imperfect, but you use it anyway. This leaf has a large hole that was caused during the processing of the animal skin. Part of the hole was sewn up using thick thread, and then the scribe just wrote around it. (UPenn Ms. Codex 747) #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/3WqLDYc
🔗: https://bit.ly/3WqLDYc
Today’s #FragmentFriday is from the binding of LJS 470, which is a 16th century Italian collection, written in Hebrew, of medical and magical texts. The fragments are deep in the spine, and haven’t been cataloged or identified. Can you tell what this is? #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/43GkrIS
🔗: https://bit.ly/43GkrIS
November 7, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Today’s #FragmentFriday is from the binding of LJS 470, which is a 16th century Italian collection, written in Hebrew, of medical and magical texts. The fragments are deep in the spine, and haven’t been cataloged or identified. Can you tell what this is? #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/43GkrIS
🔗: https://bit.ly/43GkrIS
This 15th c. Italian manuscript contains the texts of two treatises, both attributed to Saint Augustine (erroneously). One is actually De anima et spiritu by Alcherus of Clairvaux, the other one is unidentified (UPenn Ms. Codex 17) #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/3WYaouZ
🔗: https://bit.ly/3WYaouZ
November 5, 2025 at 4:03 PM
This 15th c. Italian manuscript contains the texts of two treatises, both attributed to Saint Augustine (erroneously). One is actually De anima et spiritu by Alcherus of Clairvaux, the other one is unidentified (UPenn Ms. Codex 17) #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/3WYaouZ
🔗: https://bit.ly/3WYaouZ
This little manuscript contains a treatise on cosmography that describes and illustrates the Ptolemaic model of a spherical earth at the center of the concentric spheres of the universe, and includes diagrams of eclipses and an astrolabe (UPenn LJS 26) #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/41EAKFa
🔗: https://bit.ly/41EAKFa
November 3, 2025 at 6:50 PM
This little manuscript contains a treatise on cosmography that describes and illustrates the Ptolemaic model of a spherical earth at the center of the concentric spheres of the universe, and includes diagrams of eclipses and an astrolabe (UPenn LJS 26) #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/41EAKFa
🔗: https://bit.ly/41EAKFa
This small manuscript contains a few texts, including the Speculum monachorum, attributed (incorrectly) to Bernard of Clairvaux. The first folio has a colorful, illuminated Madonna and child. It was written in France in the 13th century. (UPenn Ms. Codex 716) #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/4ht3NlX
🔗: https://bit.ly/4ht3NlX
November 1, 2025 at 8:55 PM
This small manuscript contains a few texts, including the Speculum monachorum, attributed (incorrectly) to Bernard of Clairvaux. The first folio has a colorful, illuminated Madonna and child. It was written in France in the 13th century. (UPenn Ms. Codex 716) #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/4ht3NlX
🔗: https://bit.ly/4ht3NlX
The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
A lonely owl sings in the bottom margin of f. 312r, Ms. Codex 724, a 13th century illuminated Bible #DrolleryDonnerstag
🔗: https://bit.ly/4gNmqRc
In a beautiful pea-green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
A lonely owl sings in the bottom margin of f. 312r, Ms. Codex 724, a 13th century illuminated Bible #DrolleryDonnerstag
🔗: https://bit.ly/4gNmqRc
October 30, 2025 at 3:51 PM
The Owl and the Pussy-cat went to sea
In a beautiful pea-green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
A lonely owl sings in the bottom margin of f. 312r, Ms. Codex 724, a 13th century illuminated Bible #DrolleryDonnerstag
🔗: https://bit.ly/4gNmqRc
In a beautiful pea-green boat,
They took some honey, and plenty of money,
Wrapped up in a five-pound note.
A lonely owl sings in the bottom margin of f. 312r, Ms. Codex 724, a 13th century illuminated Bible #DrolleryDonnerstag
🔗: https://bit.ly/4gNmqRc
The genealogy of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, tracing his descent from the earls of Leicester and Chester, beginning with individuals of the 11th and 12th centuries, and providing the heraldic devices of the principal members of these families. (UPenn Ms. Codex 1070)
🔗: https://bit.ly/4qvHgsK
🔗: https://bit.ly/4qvHgsK
October 28, 2025 at 6:31 PM
The genealogy of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, tracing his descent from the earls of Leicester and Chester, beginning with individuals of the 11th and 12th centuries, and providing the heraldic devices of the principal members of these families. (UPenn Ms. Codex 1070)
🔗: https://bit.ly/4qvHgsK
🔗: https://bit.ly/4qvHgsK
This early 16th century collection of papal letters dealing with the Eremite Friars of St. Augustine has a secret - a scrap of unidentified earlier manuscript that lurks in the depths of the spine. What could it be? We don’t know. (UPenn Ms. Codex 85) #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/473znDa
🔗: https://bit.ly/473znDa
October 24, 2025 at 9:06 PM
This early 16th century collection of papal letters dealing with the Eremite Friars of St. Augustine has a secret - a scrap of unidentified earlier manuscript that lurks in the depths of the spine. What could it be? We don’t know. (UPenn Ms. Codex 85) #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/473znDa
🔗: https://bit.ly/473znDa
Take a look at this 12th century collection of works by Augustine. It's written in a clear transitional (or protogothic) script by 4 different hands, and is simply decorated with large initials in red. Look for a mend in the parchment! (UPenn Ms. Codex 708) #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/471CL1p
🔗: https://bit.ly/471CL1p
October 22, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Take a look at this 12th century collection of works by Augustine. It's written in a clear transitional (or protogothic) script by 4 different hands, and is simply decorated with large initials in red. Look for a mend in the parchment! (UPenn Ms. Codex 708) #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/471CL1p
🔗: https://bit.ly/471CL1p
This Missal (Texts for the Mass), written in Gothic textualis script, contains a few large red and blue initials with penwork, and a full-page miniature of the Crucifixion. The binding is very early; it may even be original. Northern Italy, 1375-1425 (UPenn Ms. Codex 2053)
🔗: https://bit.ly/4qbm2A9
🔗: https://bit.ly/4qbm2A9
October 20, 2025 at 6:54 PM
This Missal (Texts for the Mass), written in Gothic textualis script, contains a few large red and blue initials with penwork, and a full-page miniature of the Crucifixion. The binding is very early; it may even be original. Northern Italy, 1375-1425 (UPenn Ms. Codex 2053)
🔗: https://bit.ly/4qbm2A9
🔗: https://bit.ly/4qbm2A9
Photos of a manuscript containing Statutes in 151 chapters of the Order of the Ship, founded in Naples in 1381 by King Carlo III 'di Durazzo'. The Order was a secular order of knighthood in the Kingdom of Naples founded and dedicated to the Holy Trinity #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/3INiWBI
🔗: https://bit.ly/3INiWBI
October 18, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Photos of a manuscript containing Statutes in 151 chapters of the Order of the Ship, founded in Naples in 1381 by King Carlo III 'di Durazzo'. The Order was a secular order of knighthood in the Kingdom of Naples founded and dedicated to the Holy Trinity #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/3INiWBI
🔗: https://bit.ly/3INiWBI
Woof? A strangely wyrm-like doggy waits patiently in the top margin of f. 311v, Ms. Codex 724, a 13th century illuminated Bible #DrolleryDonnerstag #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/4gNmqRc
🔗: https://bit.ly/4gNmqRc
October 16, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Woof? A strangely wyrm-like doggy waits patiently in the top margin of f. 311v, Ms. Codex 724, a 13th century illuminated Bible #DrolleryDonnerstag #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/4gNmqRc
🔗: https://bit.ly/4gNmqRc
Today's manuscript contains hymns and prayers bound with slightly later printed pastoral works. It contains prayers in Latin with interlinear German, each followed by a German translation, with some marginal notes. Germany, late 15th c. (UPenn Ms. Codex 1604) #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/3Xd1Voy
🔗: https://bit.ly/3Xd1Voy
October 14, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Today's manuscript contains hymns and prayers bound with slightly later printed pastoral works. It contains prayers in Latin with interlinear German, each followed by a German translation, with some marginal notes. Germany, late 15th c. (UPenn Ms. Codex 1604) #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/3Xd1Voy
🔗: https://bit.ly/3Xd1Voy
For #FragmentFriday here's a parchment leaf from a lectionary used as pastedown and front flyleaf in the binding of a late 15th century collection of papal letters regarding the order of the Eremite Friars of St. Augustine of Rouen (UPenn Ms. Codex 736) #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/3Wq9uaq
🔗: https://bit.ly/3Wq9uaq
October 10, 2025 at 9:12 PM
For #FragmentFriday here's a parchment leaf from a lectionary used as pastedown and front flyleaf in the binding of a late 15th century collection of papal letters regarding the order of the Eremite Friars of St. Augustine of Rouen (UPenn Ms. Codex 736) #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/3Wq9uaq
🔗: https://bit.ly/3Wq9uaq
Today we take a look at one of our favorites - and the oldest codex in Philadelphia! LJS 101 is a 9th and 11th century translation of Aristotle's De interpretatione (by Boethius) with some additional texts. #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/43ayh61
🔗: https://bit.ly/43ayh61
October 8, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Today we take a look at one of our favorites - and the oldest codex in Philadelphia! LJS 101 is a 9th and 11th century translation of Aristotle's De interpretatione (by Boethius) with some additional texts. #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/43ayh61
🔗: https://bit.ly/43ayh61
A delightful copy of the Seven Penitential Psalms (Les sept pseaumes penitentiaux) written in France in 1681. The binding is embroidered silk, interior decoration includes vignettes and illuminated initials. (UPenn Ms. Codex 1564)
🔗: https://bit.ly/4c0KGg5
🔗: https://bit.ly/4c0KGg5
October 6, 2025 at 6:54 PM
A delightful copy of the Seven Penitential Psalms (Les sept pseaumes penitentiaux) written in France in 1681. The binding is embroidered silk, interior decoration includes vignettes and illuminated initials. (UPenn Ms. Codex 1564)
🔗: https://bit.ly/4c0KGg5
🔗: https://bit.ly/4c0KGg5
Today we're looking at a late 15th-century collection of Latin astronomical treatises and tables of the 12th through 14th centuries, illustrated with six volvelles and numerous diagrams. Written in Germany, with a colophon dated 30 December 1481. (UPenn Ms. Codex 1881)
🔗: https://bit.ly/471ams3
🔗: https://bit.ly/471ams3
October 4, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Today we're looking at a late 15th-century collection of Latin astronomical treatises and tables of the 12th through 14th centuries, illustrated with six volvelles and numerous diagrams. Written in Germany, with a colophon dated 30 December 1481. (UPenn Ms. Codex 1881)
🔗: https://bit.ly/471ams3
🔗: https://bit.ly/471ams3
Heart eyes! A loving bird flaps its wings in the bottom margin of f. 311v, Ms. Codex 724, a 13th century illuminated Bible #DrolleryDonnerstag #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/4gNmqRc
🔗: https://bit.ly/4gNmqRc
October 2, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Heart eyes! A loving bird flaps its wings in the bottom margin of f. 311v, Ms. Codex 724, a 13th century illuminated Bible #DrolleryDonnerstag #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/4gNmqRc
🔗: https://bit.ly/4gNmqRc
This week's #RainsfordDay book is notes on cabala collected by Charles Rainsford. Sections include how to predict a plentiful or scarce season by observing the type of insect on an oak apple, and writings on the seventy-two divine names of angels. (UPenn Ms. Codex 1702)
🔗: https://bit.ly/3VqKcIV
🔗: https://bit.ly/3VqKcIV
September 30, 2025 at 7:09 PM
This week's #RainsfordDay book is notes on cabala collected by Charles Rainsford. Sections include how to predict a plentiful or scarce season by observing the type of insect on an oak apple, and writings on the seventy-two divine names of angels. (UPenn Ms. Codex 1702)
🔗: https://bit.ly/3VqKcIV
🔗: https://bit.ly/3VqKcIV
A quick glimpse of a book of hours on parchment, written and illuminated in France, possibly Paris, circa 1500. (UPenn Ms. Codex 2030) #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/4gBvf0m
🔗: https://bit.ly/4gBvf0m
September 27, 2025 at 8:46 PM
A quick glimpse of a book of hours on parchment, written and illuminated in France, possibly Paris, circa 1500. (UPenn Ms. Codex 2030) #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/4gBvf0m
🔗: https://bit.ly/4gBvf0m
For #FragmentFriday we have a bifolium from a book of hours. The text includes portions from the Gospel lesson from Matthew and the matins of the Office of the Virgin. Written in France in the 15th century. (UPenn Manuscript Fragment Collection. Folder 23) #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/46gsyxH
🔗: https://bit.ly/46gsyxH
September 27, 2025 at 1:38 PM
For #FragmentFriday we have a bifolium from a book of hours. The text includes portions from the Gospel lesson from Matthew and the matins of the Office of the Virgin. Written in France in the 15th century. (UPenn Manuscript Fragment Collection. Folder 23) #medievalsky
🔗: https://bit.ly/46gsyxH
🔗: https://bit.ly/46gsyxH
Today's #MiniatureMonday is a Hebrew manuscript of prayers for the time of plague. Consists of selections from the Psalms and the "Parashat ha-Ḳeṭoret" (the Biblical and Talmudic passages detailing the creation of the incense in the Temple) (UPenn CAJS Rar Ms 656)
🔗: https://bit.ly/4pyGfj1
🔗: https://bit.ly/4pyGfj1
September 22, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Today's #MiniatureMonday is a Hebrew manuscript of prayers for the time of plague. Consists of selections from the Psalms and the "Parashat ha-Ḳeṭoret" (the Biblical and Talmudic passages detailing the creation of the incense in the Temple) (UPenn CAJS Rar Ms 656)
🔗: https://bit.ly/4pyGfj1
🔗: https://bit.ly/4pyGfj1
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, September 19, 1984, Former U. S. President Gerald Ford was stuck in an elevator in the Van Pelt Library at UPenn. Was there a medieval manuscript stuck in the elevator with him? Probably not, but we can dream. #medievalsky
September 19, 2025 at 2:40 PM
ON THIS DAY IN HISTORY, September 19, 1984, Former U. S. President Gerald Ford was stuck in an elevator in the Van Pelt Library at UPenn. Was there a medieval manuscript stuck in the elevator with him? Probably not, but we can dream. #medievalsky
Yesterday was our first Manuscript Studies Interest Group of the year! 10 astronomical manuscripts from Penn's collection and a dozen attendees. We made volvelles using a plan from @marshslibrary.bsky.social. No photos of the event, but here's a link to a booklist:
drive.google.com/file/d/1wzDx...
drive.google.com/file/d/1wzDx...
September 18, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Yesterday was our first Manuscript Studies Interest Group of the year! 10 astronomical manuscripts from Penn's collection and a dozen attendees. We made volvelles using a plan from @marshslibrary.bsky.social. No photos of the event, but here's a link to a booklist:
drive.google.com/file/d/1wzDx...
drive.google.com/file/d/1wzDx...