[EARLY BIBLE LEAF]

Single leaf from a large Bible (with readings from Joshua 4-5), text in single column of 31 lines of a tall and elegant late Carolingian hand (ruled in drypoint), with notably tall ascenders, strong st-ligature, but without the et-ligature used integrally within words (or many abbreviations), opening 2 lines of Joshua 5 in ornamental red capitals, occasional textual corrections in near-contemporary hand, chapter nos. in later medieval hand, reused as cover for an account book with additions from that purpose dated '1552', trimmed at top (but with line-prickings in margin showing leaf most probably not cut down at other edges), discoloured on verso by heavy grain-pattern (but always thus), some small folds, scuffs, spots and holes, overall in good and robust condition, 295 by 235mm