Familiar Letters

Large, faint, calligraphic outlines of letters at the top of the page, appearing to spell "COLUCII" as a title or ownership mark.

College of Saint Jerome of Dole, Friars Minor of the Observance, Suniacensis uncertain reading: likely a variation of Cluniacensis. 1448, 1042

LEONARDUS TO COLUCCIO sends many greetings.

An illuminated initial 'L' on a blue square field, decorated with gold foliate 'white-vine' patterns (bianca giraglia) and a central figure or vessel element.

Leonard, I came on the seventh day before the Kalends of April March 26. As soon as it was permitted, I approached the Pope Innocent VII for the sake of greeting him and presenting myself. I was received by him very kindly and humanely. And in that very first meeting, when he saw me, without a word yet spoken by me, he turned to those standing closest and said, "This man is much younger than I had thought." This was the first voice of his I heard.

After this, when I had addressed him with the customary veneration and he had replied to me with a few words, he resumed the very thing he had uttered at first sight. The sum of his words was this: that the office for which he had summoned me held great weight and great grace and dignity, and that it required not only letters learning but also years. "For an adolescent to be in charge of that duty," he said, "hardly seems to possess enough dignity; in you, however, all other things invite me, but this one thing discourages it." But it will be possible to consider these things at another time. Thus, I was dismissed by him then. The auditorium was full when these things were said by the Pope, and a rumor spread as if I were hindered by age from obtaining the dignity. This voice raised [others] into hope.

1895 Gordon Library

A coat of arms positioned at the bottom of the page. It features a blue diamond-shaped background behind a pointed shield. The shield is gold (or tan) with three dark chevrons and a six-pointed star at the base.