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Watermarks

7295A

Heingarter’s paper trail

From the earliest time of paper production the different paper mills marked their sheets with a distinctive pattern that is only visible in translucent light: the watermark. This codex on all folios together shows six different watermarks. Four of them are characteristic of paper produced in Paris between 1451 and 1461. The two other watermarks point to Chateaudun 1463 and Pont-à-Mousson 1459.

Most of the paper had been produced after Heingarter obtained his masters degree in 1455. The production date of the paper allows us to conclude that he copied the astronomical works after having completed his basic courses in astronomy.

To prepare for a career as physician and astrologer Heingarter carefully chose to collect these fundamental texts. He had them bound together so as to form a personal toolbox for later reference. The variety of the paper is indicative of this personal character: the codex was assembled in a practical perspective not as a representative gift. The mature choice of works, the proficiency in the layout and diagrams, also the inclusion of some works obtained from other copyists show that Heingarter was an already trained astronomer.