04-02-2026, 04:25 PM
An excellent point about the Tepenecz inscription...technically, we should call it an "ex libris" rather than a "signature" since we can't say with 100% certainty that it was written in his hand. It matches the style and format of several of the signatures that Rene has posted, which to me is sufficient to affiliate the manuscript with his collection. It is not uncommon for an ex libris to be in someone else's hand: Sir Thomas Phillipps didn't "sign" his manuscripts himself - the shelfmarks and Phillipps name were added by his cataloguing librarian.
I'll also add that it is quite common for later owners to erase, cross out, or otherwise render-illegible evidence of past owners.
I'll also add that it is quite common for later owners to erase, cross out, or otherwise render-illegible evidence of past owners.