Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Handwriting


 Figure  . After the decipit, the handwriting changes to smaller letters with a slight slant. The ruling lines can also be seen.


Figure   . Although sideways, the handwriting in the last four lines changes from broad and bold to smaller with a few distinct changes. 

From evidence on numerous folios, at least 3 or 4 distinct hand writings appear in the manuscript.  Lowercase a shows at least 3 different variations throughout the folios with a possible fourth although fatigue could cause the slight deviation.  On folios 9, 20 and again on 101, the variations in the q and g can be seen more readily than other letters.  In the pictures above, the handwriting changes size, shape and style part way through the page leaving no doubt that another scribe took over the copy work.  The second figure shows only a few lines of change, almost as if the scribe was trying to squeeze in the last few words.   Fortunately, there are a few letters that appear different in more than size which indicates more than a space problem.  Was this due to time constraints, illness, or some other vexing problem? Unfortunately the records are lost on original ownership so we shall never know.    

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