Featured Unique Looking Book Found @ Flea Market in Spain

I stumbled upon this small book hidden amongst many others at a local flea market, the seller explained it could be between 150 - 200 years old but she also admitted she didn't know all that much about it's origin. The pages are filled with cursive text in what I believe to be Latin or similar. On some pages there are odd symbols and even an '@' - I'm told the '@' was first documented in 1536 which could make sense because the cover of this book has what I believe is 1582 on the front.

The seller also explained the text on the backside of the skin / cover could be of particular importance, however it is folded and stitched over making the text quite difficult to read. (see photo four from top) There were also two small folded pages with further writing.

If there are any latin, writing or language experts out there, I would love to know more about what the text says, sadly I just can't make out many of the words in order to try translate online.

I look forward to hearing from any experts!

 

From what I can see, the language is Catalan. Did you buy it in Catalunya?

I think it was written @ a later date, it also mentions 1605. It could recount something that happened in the 16th century.

 

I have tried putting some of the words on the cover into Google translate, which also identifies it as Catalan.

Conta de ? pagos feu per Monjas

Account ____ payments made by Nuns

The cover was made by reusing a piece of parchment with unrelated text on one side (turned to the inside of the cover). It is written in an older style of calligraphy. It was not unusual for older parchments to be reused in this way.

 

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I did ask if it was Catalan or Mallorquín and thats when I was told Latin instead but I agree that my first and current instinct is Catalan. I wish I could read it!

 

It isn't Latin, I would have recognized it as such. The seller probably didn't know Catalan.

 

I'm certain the sellers were Mallorquin as I bought it in Mallorca, but good to know it's not latin, what do you make of the symbols on the 2nd photo from the bottom at the bottom of the page?

 

The older text on the inside of the cover parchment is in Latin.

 

Good to know! I will carefully take a look to see what I can reveal and translate.

 

Late to this, but it's absolutely Catalan. I can speak a little and read a bit, but the writing is old. Whilst this would upset Mallorquins, the language on the islands and mainland is almost identical.

I don't think the older text is Latin, it has Js in it.

 

This is what I can make-out of the text at the top of the third photo. (If others can read it better, please correct me.)

"Memoria con lo dia de X martique conptam a 12 de noembre del ano 1380 prenguin possesia dela capillamia que tinch ala feu de..."

Google Translate recognizes the language as Catalan and translates it as...

"Memory with the day of X martique we count on November 12 of the year 1380 take possession of the capillamia that I have in the fief of..."

The above reads as some sort of personal diary or account book entry.

Debora

 

I've started to try and break down each word but I'm certainly no expert in fonts! So far all I've got from photo five is "I say amen" - It's definitely a piece of history I just hope I can translate it!

 

So glad you managed to translate some of it! It's so fascinating seeing the words come to life, thanks for taking the time to respond!

 

Here are more photos of pages within the book, if anyone is interested in trying to translate I would really appreciate it - As you can tell I'm super invested!

 

That doesn't mean they can read or even speak Catalan, the ban on Catalan culture during most of the Franco regime took its toll. Besides, living in Mallorca doesn't mean that one is Mallorquin.

Yes, it is Catalan, more precisely Balearic Catalan.
Every language has its dialects and sub-groups. For instance, I speak a Brabant-influenced form of Dutch, but it is still Dutch (eh!).

 

That person's handwriting is as bad as mine, so good luck.

 

This was sent by a good friend of mine who is very well educated in Philology.

"My God, this is a treasure!!! An amazing book for a museum. It is an early Catalan (Romance). That means so close to Latin. Is an "incunable", which means an original text in "papiro". It has Gothic handwriting and is not easy to translate, but I'll look at it properly to try it. Just a great find and I'm so impressed was for sale!"

 

I am glad he is excited, and could tell you more about it, however:

All Romance languages are related to Latin. This isn't closer to Latin than say Provençal.

An incunable is the first printed book from the early days of book printing by hand, this is handwritten.

The handwriting isn't Gothic.

 

Well thanks, rather defensive response but I'll let him know he's wrong..

 

defensive...... not really.....just what she knows to be true !

iff on the other hand your friend can back up his statements.......we are always ready to have an open mind and learn new things !

 

I'm not here for a debate, rather various inputs of information to build a narrative to the book. So far he has translated most of the key parts which turned out to be contracts regarding land, one of which was signed by the bishop of Mallorca in 1580.

Hopefully I will have more in the coming days.