Manuscript Pauline Epistles; written and illuminated in Egypt in the late 9th century, ca. 897/98.
Colophon on fol. 83v: donation in Coptic: "To the Monastery of Our Holy Father ... [name erased]." Memorial in Coptic: "For the god-loving father and leader of the Monastery of our Father ... [name erased] ... for it is he in whose days these fruits came into existence, while he was leader of the Monastery of our Father ..."--Cf. van Lantschoot, no. 24.
The erasure probably occurred when the book passed into the possession of the monastery of St. Michael.--Cf. Peterson.
Some margins and leaves are wanting, with loss of text.
Partly edited by Horner (1911-1924).
Written area ca. 297 x 215 mm. Divisions: Brown leather tabs fastened to fore-edge at beginning of Epistles, in descending order from top to bottom, starting at fol. 17; each Epistle preceded and followed by its title, the 2 titles being set off together above and below by a double divider and separated from one another by 1 or 2 dividers (fol. 82v, obelus); ekthesis, enlarged or major initials, and mostly a paragraphus sign setting off paragrahs; ancient chapter numbers written in the margin; some passages, especially quotations, marked by a diple in margin of each line (ca. 25 instances). Exceeding letters of last line of rectos written below end of the line on ca. a fourth of the leaves.
Script: Upright (headlines and titles right-sloping). 10 lines = ca. 83 mm
Superlineation: Non-standard. Punctuation: Raised dot in conjunction with a space; colon with horizontal stroke as space filler at end of textual units. Tremas.
Collation: Signed on first and last page of the quire, top inner margin. Quire ornaments at fols. 48r, 49v. Headlines, with horizontal rule above and below (fol. 77r, both omitted). No monograms or catchwords.
Decoration: Frontispiece on fol. 1v: large decorative cross of knotted rope interlace, with 4 finials emanating from the center towards the corners of the page. Headpiece on fol. 2r: tablet of knotted rope interlace framing title, 2 columns wide, with spearhead finials and ornamental extension at the right. Marginal ornaments: tail of fol. 2r: confronted doves separated by interlace ornaments; fol. 15r: dove, interlace ornament; frequently: dove beside vine-scroll coronis. Paragraphus signs: coronis: angular budded, vine-scroll; diple: simple, budded; obelos: with 1, 2, or 3 dots above and below; angular coronis marks subunits. Signatures and page numbers: with singe (on rectos) or double (on versos) horizontal rule avove and single horizontal rule below, surmounted by a semicircle. Extended letters. Colors: strong reddish orange (Centroid 35) , moderate yellow (87), green pigment (127), now grayish olive green; often chemically altered.