28-08-2016, 03:03 PM
Don,
I'm wondering if the palaeographer misunderstood your question.
The way you explain it, you didn't ask if she could identify the period, or place, where a script like that might have occurred (a fair palaeographic question) but asked if she could - in effect - name the 'author' of the manuscirpt. That's a whole different level of question.
She might have been able to say it looked like a thirteenth-century Spanish hand (or whatever) but have no idea who the scribe might have been.
It's also a pity you offered money first off. Most scholars and professional experts may help as a kindness, but can be offended if someone approaches them as if they were for hire, or in business. Unless, of course, she is in business for herself - but in that case the professional sets their own scale of costs.
Still, I think it was great of you to be able to spend not only your time but your cash to get some answers about the important questions. Thank you.
I'm wondering if the palaeographer misunderstood your question.
The way you explain it, you didn't ask if she could identify the period, or place, where a script like that might have occurred (a fair palaeographic question) but asked if she could - in effect - name the 'author' of the manuscirpt. That's a whole different level of question.
She might have been able to say it looked like a thirteenth-century Spanish hand (or whatever) but have no idea who the scribe might have been.
It's also a pity you offered money first off. Most scholars and professional experts may help as a kindness, but can be offended if someone approaches them as if they were for hire, or in business. Unless, of course, she is in business for herself - but in that case the professional sets their own scale of costs.
Still, I think it was great of you to be able to spend not only your time but your cash to get some answers about the important questions. Thank you.