16-10-2025, 04:17 AM
It would be interesting in case the paper end leaves in the MS itself have any watermarks, but I have been told that none have ever been observed. This may warrant another look.
I do not expect these leaves to date back to the creation of the MS. Instead, they can be from any (re-)binding. Top on my list of suspects are the Roman Jesuits. The parchment guard strips in some of the quires might date from the same occasion.
These could in principle be carbon dated but let me be the first to say that this damage and expense is not warranted by the limited information that could be obtained from it.
I do not expect these leaves to date back to the creation of the MS. Instead, they can be from any (re-)binding. Top on my list of suspects are the Roman Jesuits. The parchment guard strips in some of the quires might date from the same occasion.
These could in principle be carbon dated but let me be the first to say that this damage and expense is not warranted by the limited information that could be obtained from it.