The four gospels in Arabic, 18th Century

According to the colophon at the end of the Gospel of John, this copy was completed by Ibrāhīm ibn Būluṣ ibn Dāwūd al-Ḥalabī in Cairo (Egypt), probably in 1723 or 1724 but with a final contribution in 1745 (second identified hand is Jirjis b. Hananiya).

It is written in a clear Nasḫī Arabic Script (sometimes lacking complete vowel indicators) and in black ink. All the illustrations were provided by the Aleppo illustrator and icon painter Ğirğis bin Ḥanāniyā, portray the four Evangelists, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, as well as 43 scenes from the life of Jesus. On the back of the last page of text the illustrator included a note that he had completed the illustrations in September 1745.

Codex is richly illuminated with decorative script and floral decorations in 18th century Ottoman style. Main text and quire marks black, introductory benedictions, chapter headings and two liturgical remarks are in red and blue.

The Arabic title, "This book is the holy, pure Gospel and the illuminating, shining Light", is stated at the end of the Gospel of John.

Some technical details regarding the codex: 240 pages in format size 29 x 21 cm with no pagination. Text is written in 2 columns 13,5 (6,5+0,5+6,5) x 20 cm. 21 lines ruled in dry-point. Columns are framed with gold and red lines.

Genelogies of the Erles of Lecestre and Chester, 16th Century

Miniature of two knights bearing shields with the emblems of Leicester and Chester

This is the shortest codex at facsimilium, so far: only 20 leaves with 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.

About Robert Dudley, was an English nobleman and favourite of Elizabeth I from her first year on the throne until his death: On 18 November 1558, the morning after Elizabeth's accession, he witnessed the surrender of the Great Seal to her at Hatfield and became Master of the Horse on the same day (an important court position entailing close attendance on the sovereign).

Codex, (layout, script and binding details below), best leaves:

Robert Dudley is mentioned in the introduction but does not appear within the genealogy tree, as noted in a late 16th- or early 17th-century hand note (right side)

Related references/details about the codex:

1. McGeoch, Barbara. A study of a genealogical manuscript of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester. MA thesis, City University of New York, 1974. Link to book (google books) here
2. Provenance (source::University of Pennsylvania as they host a digitized copy of the codex) as follows, Sold to H. P. Kraus by a London book dealer before 1964; consigned by Kraus to Sotheby's, 1964 (unable to check on sotheby's webpage). Sold to Madeleine Pelner Cosman by Sotheby's, 1964. Finally, was sold by Les Enluminures (Paris and Chicago), 2007. Les enluminures web page doesn't have a search engine, couldn't make further investigations here...
3. Codex physical description (same source Penn Univ): 20 .aper leaves; 219 x 165 mm. bound to 223 x 170 mm. Layout: Written in 25 long lines, ruled in lead; double vertical and single horizontal bounding lines in pale red ink. Script: Written in a hybrid secretary bookhand. Binding: Contemporary stiff vellum with five cords sewn through and visible on spine and one cord now gone at tail of spine; holes for two missing ties on fore-edge of covers.