THE DAMASKINS OF THE XVII CENTURY. MANUSCRIPT № 119 (137) IN THE COLLECTION OF MANUSCRIPTS OF IVAN VAZOV NATIONAL LIBRARY, PLOVDIV (SPELLING CHARACTERISTICS)

Abstract

This article explores a less widely-known Damaskin dating from the end of the 17th century in the collection of the Ivan Vazov National Library in Plovdiv that has been almost not studied at all. An analysis of the manuscript is made, whose graphical and spelling characteristics place it among the circle of the manuscript heritage of the Karlovo – Kuklen Calligraphic School. On the basis of an elaborate analysis it is proven that the manuscript was created by an anonymous, highly educated man of letters, who, by way of his novel practice, supported tendencies towards the development of an accessible literary language, close to oral speech.