Guide to the Miscellaneous Medieval and Early Modern Documents, 1326-1867 M0535

Department of Special Collections and University Archives

1999 ; revised 2023-2024

Green Library

557 Escondido Mall

Stanford 94305-6064

Fax Number: (650) 723-8690

specialcollections@stanford.edu

URL: https://library.stanford.edu/libraries/special-collections

Contributing Institution: Department of Special Collections and University Archives

Title: Miscellaneous medieval and early modern documents

source: Kovacs, Frank L.

Identifier/Call Number: M0535

Identifier/Call Number: 585

Physical Description: 4 Linear Feet (38 items)

Date (inclusive): 1326-1867

Language of Material: Multiple languages .

Scope and Contents

Collection mostly purchased as a group from dealer Frank L. Kovacs. Mostly unrelated documents, primarily 17th and 18th century, in French and German, but also a few in Old French, English, Italian, Latin, and Hebrew. Many from Bern (some of these are related) and one each from Geneva, Paris, Kensington, and London. Includes apprenticeship papers, monetary accounts, contracts, a marriage announcement, a medical or coroner's report, and a life annuity contract.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item] Miscellaneous medieval and early modern documents, M0535, Dept. of Special Collections, Stanford Libraries, Stanford, Calif.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Most items purchased 1989.

Conditions Governing Use

These materials are believed to be in the public domain. There are no restrictions on use of public domain materials.

Conditions Governing Access

Open for research. Note that material must be requested at least 36 hours in advance of intended use. Selected documents have been digitized.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

Paleography.

14th century -- France.

17th century -- France.

18th century -- France.

17th century -- Germany.

18th century -- Germany.

18th century -- Italy.

17th century -- Switzerland.

18th century -- Switzerland.

Social history -- 17th century.

Social history -- 18th century.

Bern (Switzerland) -- Social conditions.

Medieval and Renaissance studies -- France -- 14th century.

Kovacs, Frank L.

Box 1, folder 1

Hebrew, three documents 179131

Scope and Contents

The following translated summary was generously provided by Louis Meiselman, Judaica Special Collections Cataloging Librarian at University Pennsylvania Libraries:

1. A court transcription document, Friday 24 Adar 5550 (1789-90), Schnaittach (Bavaria) ; two brothers Gavriel and Berele, son of Yitshak ha-levi, gave testimony in court that they have received witness testimony (which was presented to the court) that Elkele bat Ya'akov, the wife of their brother Zanvel, was divorced with a kosher and binding divorce and she is not to be suspected of falling to bond of Halitsah should Zanvel die, nor should any willful bond for Halitsah be placed on them or their business.

2 & 3. A Yom Kippur discourse

4. Another discourse, possibly in another hand. A Yeshiva-style derasha

Both are contemporary with the first document, also appear German/Bavarian.

Box 1, folder 2

English, London. Receipt for order of teas from Frederick Bull. Signed by Bull and J. Wilson. Taped to receipt: affidavit of prior work as servant by Mary Edwards. Signed by Frederick Bull, M. Plomer and Mary Edwards 179129 1748-1776 (Mar 15, 1748 - Sep 6, 1776)