Natural Magic (1560) - Page 3

Have mercy on us, O Lord,
both the living and the dead original Greek: "Ἐλέησον ἡμᾶς, ὦ Κύριε, ζῶντάς τε καὶ θανόντας"

Hieronymus Wolf

Hieronymus Wolf (1516–1580) was a prominent German humanist and historian, best known for establishing "Byzantinology" as a field of study.

of Oettingen

Augsburg?

original: "Augustæ Vindelicorum," the Latin name for the city of Augsburg.

October 19, 1561

The original Latin "XIX VIIIbris" uses "October" as the eighth month, following the ancient Roman calendar system where the year began in March.

for 4 [units] 32 [units]

original: "ὑπὲρ 4 . 32". This likely records the price Wolf paid for the manuscript in local currency (likely florins and kreutzers).

2160.

A rectangular bookplate (ex-libris) pasted onto the page. The illustration depicts a phoenix with wings spread, rising from a massive plume of smoke and flames. Below the fire is the silhouette of a classical building with many columns, representing a library. The entire scene is enclosed in a double-line border. In the lower right corner of the illustration is the artist's signature: J. STAEGER. Below the image is a German inscription.

SAVED FROM FIRE AND WATER

DURING THE GREAT BLAZE OF THE

BAVARIAN STATE LIBRARY

IN MARCH OF THE WAR YEAR 1943

This refers to the Allied bombing of Munich during World War II, which caused catastrophic damage to the Bavarian State Library, though many treasures were salvaged from the ruins.