I bought a medieval manuscript leaf | (It got emotional...)

I can't believe I own this medieval (15th century) leaf from an antiphonal.
Back in early March I attended the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair. You name it, they had it: rare books, manuscripts, first editions, personal letters, signatures, and more. The history lover in me was IN AWE. And of course, I had to buy something....
Thanks for watching. :)
.
Website that I used to learn more: dsps.lib.uiowa...
.
.
.
✨Ways to support the channel✨
Like and share this video!
Patreon (bonus content & more!): / thecuriousworld
Online shop: explorethecuri...
Follow me on Instagram: / thecuriousworld

[@nathanielagnew1059]

The Latin is an excerpt from Genesis 28.20 and translates as “If the Lord my God will be with me on this road I walk, and if he will protect me and give me bread to eat...” The verbs are future perfect indicative in the protasis of a conditional clause, in which construction the future perfect becomes equivalent in meaning to the simple perfect indicative. The best example of a lectern I’ve ever seen for such choir books was in the Basilica di Maria Novella in Florence. It stands behind the altar, in its original position, where its three faces (one book per face) could be seen by the choir seated against the three walls of the rectangular space.

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Thank you for this insight!

[@viktoriiazykina1649]

I had goosebumps when you took it out and when you started crying, OMG it's so precious💔

[@fabianpeise4885]

I know the feeling when tears well up out of awe, realizing that you're holding a piece of history in your hands. The oldest manuscript I ever held in my hands was the 'capitulare de villis,' a manuscript dating back to the 790s.

[@jaybrodell1959]

B. Altman and Company on Fifth Avenue in New York used to have a department of manuscripts and autographs. Alas, the store no longer is there, but when it was, a lot of old documents were sold at reasonable prices. The one in this video shows how reading Medieval Latin text is a separate art that even Cicero would have found daunting.

[@venator76]

Hello, a Historian here. Just my two cents: What you have is a 15th century illuminated manuscript with musical notation of the Genesis 28:20. From the illuminated letter "S" on, you can read, in the front side "Si Dominus Deus meus fuerit mecum in via ista qua ego ambulo et custodierit me et dederit mihi panem ad edendum" And in the back side it's written "et vestimentum quo operiar et revocaverit me cum salute. Erit mihi Dominus in refugium et lapis iste in signum. Sugens ergo mane Jacob tulit". The text ends here, the continuation was probably in the next page. The whole prayer is: "Si Dominus Deus meus fuerit mecum in via ista qua ego ambulo et custodierit me et dederit mihi panem ad edendum et vestimentum quo operiar et revocaverit me cum salute. Erit mihi Dominus in refugium et lapis iste in signum. Sugens ergo mane Jacob, tulit lapidem quem supposuerat capiti suo, et erexit in titulum, fundensque oleum desuper, dixit. Erit mihi Dominus in refugium, et lapis iste in signum. In English: "If the Lord my God will be with me, in this way that I go, and will keep me, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, and will bring me again safely. The Lord shall be my refuge, and this stone shall be a sign. So Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillow, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it, and said: the Lord shall be my refuge, and this shall be a sign."

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Thank you so much for this information!

[@922Terry]

OMG, you are so smart!!!!!!!!

[@judywall576]

❤

[@serhiiarion]

Wow, I had NO freaking idea a piece of ancient paper can evoke such emotions! Live and learn... :) Thanks so much for sharing this bit of your life, Bridget.

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Thanks for watching!

[@cgrady52]

So absolutely delightful to experience your emotions and delight in just touching this historical document and connecting to its origin and creator!!

[@wondersmith3321]

Vellum has a dark and light side, determined by whether it's the hair side or flesh side. So, it's not faded, it's just a feature of the material itself. You've probably learned this in the two years since posting, so I'm sharing this more for people who find your wonderful video. Thank you for sharing this with us!

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Thank you for this!

[@mariavictoriadiaz4705]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I cried. I’m an artist and I get so emotional around this things. Thanks!

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Thanks so much :)

[@fastradioburst253]

I enjoyed your video and can relate to how exciting it is to hold history like this in your hands. I also collect antiquarian documents, or at least used to when I was younger. Even though not the oldest, my favorite document acquisition was an arrest warrant from the mid-1700s, written by hand, of course. It was small but in pretty good shape for its age. It had a particular meaning to me because I was a detective at the time, so it was an added connection to the document. Enjoy your hobby and maybe your career in the field.

[@TheCuriousWorld]

An 18th century handwritten arrest warrant sounds like a really cool piece to own! Thank you for the kind words

[@VisionScientist]

Thank you for sharing this! Although I did not enjoy history courses in elementary and secondary school, I became interested in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance while reading about those areas of history in the second chapter of Alistair McGrath's introductory theology textbook.

[@gc4282]

First and foremost, congratulations! I know exactly how you feel. I ended up buying 6 pages of a historic judgement made towards a family in Spain. It was dated in 1544 though written in old Castillian, I can read it, which makes it more exciting! The lettering is exquisite. I've had them framed an they're proudly displayed in my home. I'm such a nut for illuminated manuscripts too and have several facsimilies that I've acquired over the years. Their definitely not cheap but they transport you back to the Middle Ages which makes them exciting to own.

[@terrencecoccoli524]

That emotional connection is really touching to see. Nice to know it’s found a nice home.

[@TheCuriousWorld]

:) Thank you!

[@philc494]

Fascinating video and great structure - the initial overall excitement of the book fair experience narrowing to investigation of a specific fragment of history... I found myself also needing to know the origin of the leaf. Looking forward to the next one! And you should update if you can figure out the melody.

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Thank you kindly!

[@polina_oncer9105]

Was very interesting to watch! Congratulations!!!

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Thank you!!

[@ATLmodK]

How exciting! I wouldn’t be able to leave this exhibit

[@TheCuriousWorld]

I've spent like 5 hours there each time I've gone! It's amazing

[@catherinetodd]

4:58 I LOVE "Antiphonal" musical manuscripts from Medieval choir books, which is how musical notation was created more than 500 years ago. Lucky you! Another dream come true!

[@LunteBooks]

This reminds me of two really nice quotes from Carl Sagan (Cosmos, Chapter XI): "One glance at [a book] and you hear the voice of another person-perhaps someone dead for thousands of years. Across the millennia, the author is speaking, clearly and silently, inside your head, directly to you... Books break the shackles of time, proof that humans can work magic." "Books are like seeds. They can lie dormant for centuries and then flower in the most unpromising soil." Also if you want to learn Latin I strongly recommend New Elementary Latin by Ullman and Henry!

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Wow, those quotes 😭 They're so true. Thank you for sharing

[@Meepers100]

What an absolutely fantastic leaf and video, it's great to see more and more people get into the spirit of enjoying antiquarian books and ephemera.

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Thank you! :)

[@seblevesque5604]

Since it has notation on both sides have it framed between two pieces of glass so it doesn't matter which side is out you can still see it. You could even hinge on side so you can just swing it from one side to the other when you feel like it

[@TheCuriousWorld]

I've already framed it, but that's actually an interesting idea!

[@johnsteila6049]

I studied Gregorian Chant in seminary and can sight read (sing) this.

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Awesome!

[@JGHinton1989]

I think you can get frames that have glass on both sides for this kind of document. it would be worth the extra money for a fancy frame to really show it off. I'm so happy for you. Maybe you could also get a super high resolution scan of both sides done somewhere to have a digital copy of it.

[@TheCuriousWorld]

I ended up getting a UV-filtering frame, but I did see a few people mention these double-sided frames. Perhaps in the future! Thanks for watching :)

[@rmt3589]

I'm not a history buff, but there's sepect things from history I obsess over. (Was research Illuminated Manuscripts AGAIN when I found this) I've definitely felt that enthusiasm before, and and kind of see it about this particular object. Thanks so much for this video! I loved seeing your experience

[@TheCuriousWorld]

:) Thanks so much for watching!

[@rmt3589]

@@TheCuriousWorld My pleasure!

[@mehdi.z.9557]

congrats....i love history and historical stuff as well.they r amazing

[@hellovova]

After 10 years, you can sell it for about 100 thousand in Sotheby's.

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Who knows...

[@DimaShirshkov1]

It's unbelievable that you can find something written ages ago and nevertheless it will still look pretty good

[@RedStoneWhite]

I also take the time to acknowledge the connection to the person or persons from the past. I have old Bibles from the 1700s and 1800s and when I open any of them I immediately feel that connection to the many people who would have helped in the process of making the rag paper, printing and finally the people who used such books as a way of preparing for the great thereafter. Another really interesting thing is to find old recordings from the late 1800s or even people that were born in the 1800s and just listen to the sound. Place your fingers on the speaker gently and feel the vibrations of their voices from so long ago.

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Wow, it must be incredible to own bibles from that time period! And I'm totally with you on old recordings. They are SO fascinating. My *dream* for a long time has been to own an old cylinder phonograph.

[@mrbjengel]

Absolutely amazing! My jaw hit the floor when I saw that it was medieval sheet music! I am a musician by trade and am learning gothic calligraphy right now. I guess I know what some of my projects might be in the future! Thank you for your video. Subscribed without a second thought! 😍

[@TheCuriousWorld]

That really means a lot, thank you!

[@mrbjengel]

@@TheCuriousWorld you're welcome!

[@TheFoxyBard]

That is so beautiful! I've been living in this city for ten years..... why have I never heard of this book festival before? I know what I'm doing next March.

[@TheCuriousWorld]

You and me both. This was the first time I had ever heard of it, and nobody I know had ever been before! Crazy

[@catherinetodd]

You are "living my dream!" I will have to go to this special Antiquarian Book Fair when I strike it rich! Thank you for so much inspiration and making this wonderful video. Gracias, gracias, gracias! You made my whole year! 💔

[@TheCuriousWorld]

So glad you enjoyed! Thanks for watching, and I hope you get to check out the Fair some year!

[@richardlsmithii63]

I couldn’t stop focusing on that piece of blue tape.

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Haha

[@judywall576]

There is a Gregorian Chant Academy you tube channel that has a video on How to Read Square Musical Notation. Also many musical chants are sung with words and music shown on screen.

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Wow thank you for this recommendation--I just subscribed to the channel!

[@zhuravlik26]

I always admire people grown up in a mostly modern part of the world, but still so attached to the things of the past. Especially those of them who not only collect the objects, but study them, learn their history, and mysteries around them. A nice place, where you can wander around ages of history that are for sale. There's some sad irony in that - selling and buying history. But at the same time, that's not a fault of a scientist or a hobbyist, and if those whose history this is are not interested in the objects of their own past - better to have them in good hands. Of such a person as you who not only hangs it on the wall, but also tells us so much about it. I also don't enjoy museums which exhibit books behind a thick glass, and some of them even disallow to take pictures (cheers to the Gutenberg museum). Even if some precautions are understandable, this makes it impossible to feel the spirit of the ages. I completely agree that touching, sniffing things, listening to the turning of old book pages can bring much more enthusiasm to the study of them than just observing them as static objects. Thanks a lot for this great video! Maybe I'll visit such an event one day. Although, it would be funny to go to America from Europe to buy some European antiquity and bring it back. :)

[@TheCuriousWorld]

I agree. I'd like to think (or hope) that the ones buying and selling rare documents and books are the ones who truly appreciate it all. To go into such a profession, or to have it as your hobby, must mean that you really love dealing with history. Like I said in the video, visiting this book fair has introduced me to a brand new way of interacting with the past. So much of "loving history" has always meant visiting museums, old buildings, going to lectures, etc. There's always a barrier between you and what you're learning about. To actually be able to TOUCH and HOLD things from the past is so incredible. I still can barely believe that I'm allowed to own this page, haha. Thanks for watching :)

[@zhuravlik26]

@@TheCuriousWorld I've watched your other videos here and truly appreciate your work on telling stories of different places and events, many of them I never heard of before. Keep up the great work. People are different, cultures are too. That was exactly the unusual thing for me - about owning an object of history, as I never came to such a thought. I'm always enjoying visiting old places, seeing old objects, touching them, feeling them, but never had an idea of making one of them mine. I don't say it's a bad idea. Just something very different. I understand your reasoning behind that, and it's great to have such material source of inspiration in your hands. Wish you all the best, stay safe, and waiting for your new videos here!

[@TheCuriousWorld]

@@zhuravlik26 Thanks very much :)

[@vitamynusa]

That's so awesome!!! I'd like to visit this book fair and I can't wait to hear that ancient melody! I heard that notes were simpler back than just showing ups and downs, especially for a choir singing a melody with a simple rythme, so any modern professional musician should be able to interpretate it!

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Yes, that's what I think, too! I'll make a new video when I have the melody :)

[@EternalShadow1667]

This is incredible, these things are so rare nowadays and they’re getting rarer. Please, please, please take the best of care with it and be careful where you buy these things! Ultimately, they belong to humanity and some have rather dubious origins (mainly from early-mid 20th century vandals tearing out pages for resale or cutting out illuminations). And also, please, don’t deny these artefacts historical study! That said, judging by how delighted you are with it, I for one trust you with it. Don’t get too worried about handling-some branches of scholarly thought say human oils benefit the parchment because they are really just old animal skins.

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Thanks for this comment. I haven't actually touched it since I put it into a UV-protecting frame way back when, but maybe someday I'll handle it again. I bought this from a trusted seller, but I do know these things can sometimes have uncertain origins. I don't think I'll ever know how mine was procured, but I'm so grateful to have it, and absolutely know its historical importance! I am very interested in contributing my page to existing studies of antiphonal leafs like this. Thanks for watching!

[@EternalShadow1667]

@@TheCuriousWorld Thank you for the reply and for preserving this artefact, I’m sorry, I just saw this! You’re doing a service to the world :)

[@user-px8mv4tp6l]

Super-Duper video

[@KristinkaAranova]

I have manuscripts from the 12th-15th century

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Very cool!

[@dr-onestuffido]

I'm with you on the history thing, awesome buy. wish i could hold one too! great video thank you :)

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Thanks for watching! :)

[@richardlsmithii63]

I’ve worked on vellum. It’s completely different than paper.

[@ricksaunders]

Verklempt is the word I was thinking of while watching. I get it. I know that feeling. Thanks a ton for sharing. I hope you get the melody cyphered!

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Verklempt is a great word. Thanks for watching!

[@LivingManuscript]

Incredible 🙂. I love every chance I get to even just hold a historical object for a few moments. Would love to own one someday!

[@TheCuriousWorld]

It's so surreal, right? Nice channel, btw. Just subbed!

[@LivingManuscript]

@@TheCuriousWorld Yeah exactly! And thanks, I'm glad you like what I do :)

[@darren5835]

Such a cute reaction. Congratulations on your purchase

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Thanks very much!

[@catherinetodd]

How much does a vellum illuminated manuscript page cost, such as yours?

[@DoctorTooploop]

vellum is specifically from a calf

[@ambulocetusnatans]

If I went there I would spend so much money and so much time there. I'm like a junkie for books. I would steal my moms TV for a hit of that Vonnegut. (kidding)

[@TheCuriousWorld]

LOL

[@patrickbasin9389]

I don’t want to be a terrible party pooper, but I wonder if it would be better if documents this old were owned by the public. Don’t get me wrong, I’m so happy that you got to experience something so special, but I feel like everyone should get a chance to do that.

[@AsheOdinson]

I have such mixed feelings about this. 😂 All of the touching, especially at the book fair, just makes me think of the oils and any other contaminants, and the damage they might do to such aged pieces. I wonder how many wonders have been lost to us from uncareful hands at these fairs. At the same time, I'm geeking out on almost the same level you are in getting to physically connect with another human being across hundreds of years.

[@TheCuriousWorld]

I'm right there with you--the idea of touching something so delicate and historical gave me anxiety, haha. But also, what a thrill!

[@AsheOdinson]

@@TheCuriousWorld Exactly. 😁 What a great video, though. I'll be very interested in what, if anything, more you find out about it.

[@Eve0127]

I collect rare and antique books. Just to ease your mind I want to tell you our hands do not damage the books like you would think. It is now common practice throughout this hobby to just use hands. Gloves damage the material way more than fingers ever will. As long as you wash your hands and dry them you wont damagd the paper.

[@tiortedrootsky]

Very special moments. Thanks for sharing them. Looking at my fathers passport which he had to give for checking a couple times a week for years with proper result makes me wonder who would allow people to touch historic objects...

[@annettebertora4434]

I have a 1525 book bounded with medieval illuminated pages !!!!!! I loooooove your illuminated page. It is absolutely awesome. (SOOO jealous!!!!) And that page from a graduale missarium, could have be used by some great renaissance musicians working in Italy. Such as Josquin Desprez, Okengham, Guillame Dufay, Dunstabe.......Who know...... ( - :

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Your 1525 book sounds amazing!

[@sandfly60]

Loved it.

[@joeschulz5350]

The literal translation of the Latin: Si dominus deus meus fuerit mecum in via ista qua ego ambulo et custodierit me et dederit mihi panem ad edendum "If the Lord my God were to have been with me on the road whereupon I walk and were to have guarded me and were to have given to me bread to eat" The translation in the video was good, but 1. "Dominus" in Ecclesiastical contexts means "Lord". It only means "master" in classical/ancient contexts 2. It left out the "ad edendum", a relatively common way of expressing intention without "ut"

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Thank you so much for this insight!

[@antreb15]

I have one exactly the same. How much did you pay?

[@Carnivore99]

Did you ever get this framed? If so, do you mind if I ask where you had it done and how it turned out? I have acquired two similar illuminated manuscripts that need to be flattened and mounted, and I also live in the NYC metro. Thanks. :)

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Hi, I framed it myself with a UV-protective frame I found online, so I wouldn't be able to recommend a place!

[@annettebertora4434]

PS: Try to get hold of a LIBER USUALIS. 1950/60. I think you will love it.

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@vitawater4259]

This is the same feeling I get when I study a coin from Rome or medieval Europe. There is a connection that you feel with someone who not only minted the coin, but where it's been, the circumstances of the times in which it was minted, and the rarity of it. Solid manuscript, gorgeous. How do you store something like this?

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Yes exactly!! I keep it in a UV-protective frame, and out of direct sunlight/heat

[@johnmichaelkintao1039]

​@@TheCuriousWorldwhat a beautiful antiphonal manuscript. I too collect medieval manuscripts and ancient coins. Unfortunately, I decided to just hide my manuscripts just to make sure they're away from any light source and water. Greetings from the Philippines 😍

[@limonred5283]

This is very similar to a hook recording of a melody. the same record was used in Russian churches many years ago.

[@nandeboleine]

I will email you in a moment, but if you’re still looking for the melody and significance of your leaf, I can help you. I’m a medieval music scholar from Florida State University, where we have a large early music program.

[@TheCuriousWorld]

I just emailed back. Thank you!! So excited

[@lenaleszczynska2287]

we do buy this

[@PENFOLD1962]

I'm soooooooo chuffed for you and your new best friend. I hope that you both have many happy & healthy year's together. Take care 👍😷👍

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Haha, thank you!

[@richmarchione6144]

Old style musical notation

[@juliawilson9089]

my mind is blown, that's so COOL

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Right???

[@hearmeout0909]

Did your wish comr true which you wished inside hoya bachu forest?

[@allysonkring9176]

If you haven't already - you should check out the Society for Creative Anachronism. SCA.org I think you would really enjoy it.

[@russ1anasanov1ch49]

На 1:35 что за "маленький,всеми забытый театр"? Хотелось бы подробностей об этом арт-объекте.

[@andrewninh]

Out of curiosity, what are the dimensions of the leaf?

[@jaguarsea]

What was that word! Velum?

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Vellum!

[@jaguarsea]

The Curious World Thanks. Cool Video by the way.

[@TheCuriousWorld]

@@jaguarsea Thanks :)

[@depressiondepression6834]

Well I would be scared to buy such thing I mean I hope this manuscript is not cursed or something Annabelle ancient black magic Christian vibes 😂

[@TheCuriousWorld]

Haha. Yes, let's hope it's not