Codex Purpureus Rossanensis: Museo dell'Arcivescovado, Rossano Calabro. I. Commentarium. II. Facsimile by Cavallo, Guglielmo; Jean Gribomont; & William C. Loerke - 1987

1987. 2 vols. I.: 213 pp. critical and descriptive text (in Italian and English) on the Byzantine codex considered to be the oldest surviving copy of the New Testament, notes, lists, bibl., index, 43 plates showing leaves; II.: 376 pp. excellent facsimile reproduction of the mss. with metallic accents highlighting the chrysography and various illuminations. 4to. Text cloth-backed boards with cardboard slipcase., mss. in 1/2 blind-stamped leather and wood. Graz/Rome (Akademische Druck/Salerno) 1987. (Codices Selecti, Facs. LXXXI, Comm. LXXXI/Codices Mirabiles, I). Dating from the 6th century, the codex, now incomplete, contains Canon Tables as well as the Gospel writings of Matthew and Mark. It is one of the most striking examples of the "purple codex" style, where each sheet of parchment was dyed a deep purple before being lined and illuminated with rich pigments and gold or silver leaf. It is thought that this manuscript originated in Syria, Palestine or Constantinople.