18th century AD. A group of two pustaha manuscripts, each written on bark and folded concertina-style, bound to a section of animal scapula; the text in black ink with illustrations in red and green; the text including symbols, Roman lettering and divinatory graphic signs; one with eight leaves, the other with nine; each inscribed in Roman script to the outer face of the scapula 'TOBALAKE' and graphic signs. 144 grams total, 85-99 mm (3 1/4 - 3 3/4"). Property of a Kent gentleman; formerly in the Steinberg collection; acquired London art market, 1960s-1970s. Walter Steinberg has been a well-known figure at fairs, sales and events for many years. Born in 1922 in Philadelphia, Walter has had a life-long passion for collecting. A long-time resident in London, he has now retired to New York and decided that the time has come to pass on the antiquities and coins he has collected over his lifetime. Walter acquired coins and artefacts that interested him, so his collection, although containing many lovely examples, also contains many affordable specimens. Much of the material has been unavailable to the market for 30 to 50 years. Walter hopes that the items he collected will now find new homes with the next generation of collectors. [2]

Fine condition.