The medieval and Renaissance manuscripts of the Grey Collection catalogued

Abstract

The purpose of this article is twofold: to make known the publication of a comprehensive catalogue of the medieval and Renaissance manuscripts in the Grey Collection of the National Library, Cape Town, and to give an overview of the most valuable and/or unique art works in the Collection. The manuscripts described in the article are not intended to be an exhaustive list. Such a list can be found in the catalogue itself. The descriptions in the catalogue and in the article leave room for further research, but inform the reader of what can be found in the collection. The catalogue has already been proved to be of use for researchers overseas who were unaware of sources in Cape Town. It is my hope and intention that this article may also be of use to researchers who are unaware of the valuable sources in the Grey Collection.

Die doel van hierdie artikel is tweeledig: om die publikasie van 'n omvattende katalogus van die middeleeuse en Renaissance manuskripte in die Grey-versameling van die Nasionale Biblioteek, Kaapstad, bekend te stel en om 'n oorsig te verskaf van die waardevolste en/of mees unieke kunswerke in die versameling. Die manuskripte wat in die artikel beskryf word is nie veronderstel om 'n volledige lys te wees nie. So 'n lys kan in die katalogus self gevind word. Die beskrywings in die katalogus en in die artikel laat ruimte vir verdere navorsing, maar hulle stel die leser in kennis van wat in die versameling gevind kan word. Daar is reeds bewys dat die katalogus van nut is vir oorsese navorsers wat onbewus was van bronne in Kaapstad. Dit is my hoop en doelstelling dat hierdie artikel ook van nut mag wees vir navorsers wat onbewus is van die waardevolle bronne in die Grey-versameling.