The Weber Leaf
from
Otto Ege MS 61

Small-Format Latin Vulgate Bible
Laid out in 2 columns of 32 lines
in Gothic Bookhand
with embellishments in red, blue, and purple pigments

Formerly part of Otto Ege Manuscript 61 (Gwara, Handlist 61)
Southern France, circa 1325

Mark 5:42 ([illi mandu-/]care) –
6:1 (Et egressus . . . ) – 6:38 (Quot panes ha[/-betis ite])

[Posted on 21 February 2026]

Collection of Richard Weber, Leaf from Otto Ege MS 61: Recto, top. Photograph by Richard Weber.

A leaf in the Collection of Richard Weber from Otto Ege MS 61 presents part of the Gospel of Mark, by laying out the text in brown ink in two columns and employing embellishments in red, blue, and purple pigments. The polychrome elements comprise the running title in both upper margins of recto and verso, the inset 1-line chapter numeral (VI for Mark 6:1) on the recto, the corresponding 2-line inset chapter initial E for Et, and its extended vertical bar of J-shaped segments rising above and below its rounded letter to edge the full length of the column finished by pen-flourishing in upper, lower, and inner margins.

Continuing our series of blogposts on leaves from that manuscript, found in a variety of locations, we present images and a description of this leaf, set into context. We thank our Associate, Richard, for the images and permission to study and reproduce them.

For our earlier posts on this fragmented manuscript, see especially:

• A New Leaf from Otto Ege Manuscript 61 (Budny Handlist 7)
• More Discoveries for Otto Ege Manuscript 61

Familiar features of this manuscript include the J-bar segments and delicate pen-work. For example:

Second Page of the Book of Zachariah. Courtesy of Flora Lamson Hewlett Library, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA. Reproduced by permission.

The Weber Leaf from Ege MS 61

First we present the two sides of the leaf, in their full expanse, with color guide, in the collector’s photographs. The images show the leaf in full, within its mat, as the recto appears at the front, below the windowed front of Ege’s mat, and the verso may turn on the hinges of its pair of gauze tapes, characteristic of Ege’s positioning mechanism.

The Recto

Note that the chapter numeral VI and the enlarged chapter initial E for Et opening the phrase Et facto sabbato designate Mark 6:2 as the opening of the chapter. In the standard Vulgate, Chapter 6:1 opens with Et egressus inde abiit, continuing to discipili eius to close the verse. That verse occupies the first three lines on the page — ending with the inset chapter numeral and following the last part of the last word of the previous chapter (5:41, [mandu-/]care).

Collection of Richard Weber, Leaf from Otto Ege MS 61: Recto. Photograph by Richard Weber.

The Verso

The verso continues the text of the chapter through most of its course, in a chapter comprising 56 verses. It closes mid-word within chapter 38. Apart from the washes of red pigment in the verse initials, the embellishment on this page constitutes the polychrome running title: MAR– naming the evangelist author or his book.

Collection of Richard Weber, Leaf from Otto Ege MS 61: Verso. Photograph by Richard Weber.

Next, we will describe features of the leaf, its former manuscript, and characteristics of the settings in which its fragments appear.

Watch this space.

Other Fragments from this Book?

Do you know of other leaves from this manuscript? Please let us know.

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