Libro del Maestro:  Codice 65

Codex 65 is an extremely valuable manuscript from the first half of the 12th century, especially important not only from historic, paleographic, liturgical and artistic points of view, but because it deals with the history of music, theater, miniature production, medicine, agriculture and the esoteric sciences.  Described as one of the first encyclopedias of Western Europe, it is called Codex 65 because in the library of the Archives of the Cathedral of Piacenza it occupies the 65th place in the order of columns placed and numbered by size.  The Codex is also known as Codice Magno, Liber Magistri, Il Libro del Maestro, Codice Magnifico, Liber Officiorum and Pia 65 (an abbreviation of the title Piacenza, Biblioteca Capitolare C. 65). Concerning the provenance of the Codex, the general consensus seems to maintain that it was written in Piacenza in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy for the liturgy of the cathedral and probably in the scriptorium belonging to the school of the church.  The Codex contains 452 folios divided into five main sections.

This facsimile was reproduced in 4-5 colors plus bronze, with a leather cover over thick wood boards and brass closures all constructed by hand.  Oberlin’s copy is number 137 from an edition of 450 copies. This handsomely-detailed work was purchased by the Friends of the Library.

Information provided by Old Manuscripts & Incunabula, Specialists in Facsimile Editions.