Printed Book of Hours (use of Rome); In Latin and French, printed and illuminated on parchment
CHARMING TINY PRINTED BOOK OF HOURS WITH EXPERTLY ILLUMINATED METALCUTS IN AN UNUSUAL OBLONG FORMAT, In Latin and French, printed and illuminated on parchment in Paris, c. 1536. Dimensions 143 x 76 mm., 90 folios, complete, 32 lines printed in Roman font in black ink (justification 118 x 47 mm), single-, double-, and triple-line initials in gold paint on alternating red and blue grounds, 14 metal-cuts, hand-illuminated in full color with gold borders. BINDING: Nineteenth-century brown leather with gilt-ruled frame, gold-tooled spine, worn with losses at joints and edges, small scratches and abrasions to the covers. TEXT AND ILLUSTRATION: Printed Books of Hours, like this rare example, consciously imitated illuminated manuscripts. In this particularly appealing volume by the Hardouyn Workshop, fourteen metalcuts are so vibrantly and expertly painted that they are practically indistinguishable from illuminated miniatures. This is a very rare imprint, not in Lacombe (1907) or Brunet (1860â"1865); very likely Moreau-Renouard, 1972â"2004, vol. 5, p. 105, no. 194, BP 16 108201, Bohatta, 1924, no. 1177 (listed in these sources is a single copy sold by L. Rosenthal, Munich, Cat. XXII, no. 4032, no date, 188?). PROVENANCE: Printed in Paris by Germain Hardouyn in the sixteenth century, likely c. 1536 (includes an almanac for the years 1536â"1548); likely sold in Munich by Rosenthal in the 1880s, as listed in the Rosenthal Catalogue XXII, no. 4032; belonged to Noel F. Barwell (1879â"[1953]?), his armorial bookplate on the front pastedown. CONDITION: Some folios with wear, discoloration, and minor damage from handling, f. 42 with loss of paint, faded ink to lower corner; increased wear to last quire, with creasing to parchment from f. 79 onward, f. 90 slightly offset. Full description and images available (BOH 223/TM 1271).
More from Les Enluminures
Livre de Prià res Tissà dâaprà s les enluminures des manuscrits du XIVe au XVIe sià cle (Book of Prayers woven after illuminations in manuscripts of the fourteenth and fifteenth century); In Latin and French, illustrated book woven in silk.
BOOK OF PRAYERS WOVEN IN SILK ON A JACQUARD LOOM. In Latin and French, woven prayer book on silk, R. P. J. Hervier, designer; J. A. Henry, fabricator, for A. Roux, France, Lyon, c. 1886-1887. Dimensions 178 x 145 mm., 50 silk pages, complete, text in one or two columns, one half-page and three full-page illustrations and various styles of decorative borders and initials throughout on every page, woven entirely in silver-gray and black silk, with a greyish-silver texture to the cast, fore edges gilt. BINDING: Bound in dark blue panel gilt morocco by Marcelin Lortic of Paris, the covers with elaborate foliates, strapwork, fleurons, and friezes, inside with crimson morocco doublures, edges gilt with a knotted cord design, fold-ins gilt and stamped "M. Lortic" at front, with five raised bands, spine gilt stamped "Pri res" in Gothic blackletter. ILLUSTRATION: Every page of this book is surrounded by border decorations of a wide variety. The half- and full-page illustrations are designed after paintings by Fra Angelico, Fra Bartolomeo and Raphael, and other Renaissance masters. PROVENANCE: Woven in Lyon by the firm of J. A. Henry (c. 1886-1887), this uncommon example is distinguished by its rare woven monogram inside the escutcheon on the first unnumbered pages with the interlaced initials "MM," customized for an unidentified owner.; pencil inscription "G-1979" on back paper fly leaf. CONDITION: Two stains pp. 23-25, and with fine creasing to the edges of some pages, likely original to the time of binding, some abrasions to the left edge of the spine and some edges of lower board, otherwise in in very good condition. Full description and images available. (BOH-165). Obituary of the Cluniac Priory of Mouthier-Haute-Pierre; in French and Latin, decorated manuscript on parchment
VISUALLY STRIKING MANUSCRIPT FROM A MEDIEVAL MONASTERY. In Latin, decorated manuscript on parchment, Eastern France, Franche-Comté (Mouthier-Haute-Pierre), c. 1400 (additions until 1688). Dimensions 302 x 214 mm., 63 folios, lacking 9 leaves, otherwise complete, written in brown ink in Gothic bookhand (textualis) in a single column on 25 lines, entries written in several different cursive hands in the 15th-17th centuries, large calligraphic initials in brown ink and yellow wash for each day in the calendar, 2-line initials alternating in red and blue, large blue KL initials in the calendar for each month. BINDING: Half-bound in the eighteenth century in brown calf, spine with six raised bands, gold-tooled with pomegranates, stars, foliage and fillets, title in gilt, covers with red decorated paper over pasteboards. TEXT: An obituary is a book that records the deaths and anniversary masses celebrated in a given monastic house. The Obituary of the Cluniac Priory of Mouthier-Haute-Pierre includes detailed obits provide a wealth of information spanning five centuries concerning the priors and monks, as well as local families who acted as benefactors. Especially interesting are the descriptions of works of art, ornaments, vestments, books, and building work gifted by these individuals. Obituaries are a type of manuscript seldom found on the market. PROVENANCE: The manuscript was made around 1400 at the Cluniac Priory of Mouthier-Haute-Pierre (Alta Petra), in the Doubs, Franche-Comté, based on the styles of the script and decoration; M. de Ranquet, Clermont-Ferrand, France ; in the 20th century, the manuscript belonged to the notary Paul Alamartine from Le Mayet-de-Montagne in the Allier; later in a Private Collection, France. CONDITION: stains and signs of frequent use, margins of ff. 15-16v, 18 smudged, some medieval repairs, slight wear on covers and spine, leaves cropped close to marginal inscriptions on some pages, but in overall very good condition. Full description and images available. (TM 1240) Carta Executoria de HidalguÃa (Patent of Nobility) of Juan de Nurueña y Alava; in Spanish, illuminated manuscript on parchment
SEVENTEENTH-CENTURY ILLUMINATED DOCUMENT FOR A SPANISH NOBLE FAMILY. In Spanish, illuminated manuscript on parchment, Spain (Valladolid), May 8, 1622. Dimensions 310 x 220 mm., 87 folios complete, some leaf and quire signatures, prickings visible, written in a humanist bookhand in 28 long lines, headings in gold capitals on grounds of blue and dark red, TWO FULL-PAGE MINIATURES. BINDING: Modern (19-20th century?) reddish purple velvet binding over wooden boards, with a center ornament and border impressed in the velvet, two ornamental silver clasps, housed in a protective box. TEXT: This Carta Executoria , granted on behalf of King Philip IV of Spain (1605-1665), authenticates the nobility of Juan de Nurue ±a y Alava, thereby granting him exemption from taxes along with other perks. Our document is the formal copy that was commissioned and retained by the family, copied in a beautiful script, and lavishly illuminated. ILLUSTRATION: Two full-page miniatures . f. 2v,Immaculate Conception of Mary with the Virgin, full length, her hands clasped in prayer, in blue robes with a star above her head, standing on a crescent moon with cherubs, in a beautiful garden and with symbols from the litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary; f. 3, Coat of arms of the family of Juan de Nurue ±a y Alava, incorporating the Alava arms on the right. PROVENANCE: Issued by the Real Audiencia y Chanciller a de Valladolid for Juan de Nurue ±a y Alava of Tordelr ¡bano and Hita, Spain on May 28, 1622. On f. 4v, the beginning of the case is stated as May 23, 1620; original flyleaf, f. i, early notes and two signatures in ink, "Manuel â¦"; "Luis Fernando"; modern owner's annotation in pencil, inside front cover, "456-TEO." CONDITION: some cockling to the leaves near the beginning and end, slight cracking along the top and bottom of the joints, upper cover, otherwise excellent condition. Full description and images available. (TM 1240) Book of Hours (use of Mons); in Latin and some French, illuminated manuscript on parchment
FASCINATING MEDIEVAL BOOK OF HOURS WITH EXTENSIVE ILLUMINATIONS BY THREE DIFFERENT ARTISTS. In Latin and some French, illuminated manuscript on parchment, Southern Netherlands, Mons, c. 1460 (original portion), c. 1480-1490 (updated). Dimensions 167 x 116 mm., 199 folios, lacking one text leaf, written by two different scribes in gothic textualis bookhand in single column on 17 lines; BINDING: seventeenth century brown calf over wooden boards, spine with four raised bands, gold-tooled, gilt title ("OFFICIU / BEATEM / VIRGIN", partly worn out), gilt edges. ILLUSTRATION: 22 full-page miniatures within full rinceaux borders by the Mildmay Master (13), the Master of Philippe de Croÿ (7), and a third Mons illuminator, follower of Simon Marmion (2), and 4 small miniatures by the Mildmay Master, additional sixteen full rinceaux borders, and 5-line initials in pink or blue on burnished gold grounds. The Mildmay Master was responsible for the core of the original manuscript; the artist paints elongated figures with small heads and slender bodies, mostly situated on pale yellow tiled grounds. His outdoor landscapes are cursory. Unusual here are his delicate acanthus and floral borders sprinkled with fanciful grotesques. The artist responsible for updating the manuscript is the Philippe de Croÿ Master. He favors tiled floors in brown or gray and white, with a generally somber, almost grisaille palette, with blue and white, grey, and a burnt brownish orange. A third painter, a follower of Simon Marmion, intervened during this second campaign. The most skilled of the three illuminators, his delicate figures are well-modeled, with tiny hands and individualized faces. PROVENANCE: The manuscript was made in Southern Netherlands probably in two different stages. The core of the Hours and the calendar were written in Mons for an unknown patron, c. 1460. Then, around 1480, the manuscript was updated, also in Mons, for a couple represented in prayer in the manuscript: Jean Antoine de Mahieu, Lord of Bosqueau, and his wife, Jacqueline de Sivry, Lady of Buath; belonged to Jean-Baptiste-Florentin Gabriel de Meyran, marquis de Lagoy (1764-1829); inside front cover: "Jean Fra(n)sois de Lescluse demeurant a Frasne." CONDITION: ink stain in the margin of f. 1, water stains in lower margins of first 32 leaves, colors slightly faded on marginal decoration f. 120v, stain in the marginal decoration f. 77v, other minor signs of use, otherwise in very good condition. Binding condition: leather very rubbed, gold tooling worn, front cover almost detached, hinges of the back cover fragile. Full description and images available. (BOH 217) The Mirror of the Rebuke of the Soul to the Body; Sermons for Lent; On the Sibyls; The twelve prophetesses for the Lord; and other texts; in Latin, manuscript on paper
BOOK DESCRIPTION: RARE SIGNED AND DATED MANUSCRIPT WITH TEXTS FOR PREACHING OFFERING A WINDOW INTO EVERYDAY LIFE IN THE MIDDLE AGES. In Latin, manuscript on paper, Italy (Naples), c. 1497-1469. Dimensions 215 x 144 mm., 96 folios, missing 24 leaves at the beginning, horizontal catchwords present, written by several scribes in 39-43 long lines: small noting script influenced by humanistic minuscule, small gothic cursive script without loops, and a quicker less disciplined cursive; red rubrics, red paraphs, majuscules stroked with red, simple 2-line red initials with decorative blank space in the initials. BINDING: Bound in a later stiff paper longstitch binding. TEXT: This manuscript is a quintessential example of a Franciscan manuscript designed to aid friars to fulfill their role as preachers. The first unpublished text is organized by topics, replete with exempla (moral tales) and short aphorisms. The present manuscript is the only copy of the text that identifies the author. This is also a new witness to the sermons of St. James of the Marches, copied during the life of the author. Both texts are rare on the market (no sales recorded in the Schoenberg Database). PROVENANCE: Copied in Italy in Naples c. 1467-1469 and signed by a Franciscan scribe, Joannes de Ripis; it includes a colophon at the bottom of the page f. 44v, which is copied in a different script and ink than the remainder of the text; this date and place of origin is also supported by the watermark evidence and the date '1467' in red added on f. 39; later in a private European collection. CONDITION: first leaf backed with paper obscuring first page of text, ff. 41-43, 95-96 reinforced with paper strips inner margin, last few leaves edges tattered at edges, some worming, damp staining ff. 92-end, few threads loose on the spine, lower sections of leaves loose near the end, overall in good condition. Full description and images available. (TM 1017) Hours of Guillaume II Molé (Use of Troyes); in Latin, illuminated manuscript on parchment
illuminated by the Rosenberg Master (active Lyons, c. 1470-1500) BOOK DESCRIPTION: LAVISHLY ILLUMINATED, FIFTEENTH-CENTURY BOOK OF HOURS; THE PERSONAL PRAYER BOOK OF A SUCCESSFUL FRENCH MERCHANT. In Latin, illuminated manuscript on parchment, Dimensions 153 x 102 mm., 128 folios, lacking 3 leaves likely with full-page miniature and text, each replaced with a modern parchment folio supplying the missing text, occasional catchwords, written in brown ink in cursive gothic bookhand on 24 lines, one-sided panel border on every text page, often with motto "en attandant," 34 historiated initials, 24 small calendar miniatures, and 13 full-page miniatures by the Rosenberg Master, France, Lyons, c. 1480-1490. BINDING: Bound in 20th-century polished black calf, spine re-using an 18th-century green leather title-piece lettered in gilt; leather case, the front cover embossed with a monogram "AE." ILLUSTRATION: This lavishly decorated manuscript is the name work of the Rosenberg Master, who was part of the flourishing workshop of the scribe Guillaume Lambert. Its illustration offers a rare and dazzling example of Lyons illumination. The Rosenberg Master's personal manner is distinguished in details such as the dark blue clouds in the skies from which divine radiance shines forth, or towering rocks and round trees edged with yellow highlights punctuating the spacious landscapes. A series of historiated initials with close-up portraits of men and women demonstrate a mastery in the modelling of the figures that is unexpected from this artist, for his draftsmanship has often been underestimated. PROVENANCE: Written and illuminated in Lyons for Guillaume II Molé (d. 1507), a prominent salt and arms merchant, and alderman of Troyes. Introduced by a full-page armorial frontispiece (f. 2) with his shield; a separate note, now lacking, was reported to have been written around 1820 and read "Col. Cooper, bought in Italy;" belonged to H. Harvey Frost (1873-1969), his printed bookplate on the upper pasteboard; belonged to Sven Ericson, Stockholm; sold Sotheby's, London 13 July 1977, lot 76, to Laurence Witten; William H. Schab Gallery, bought by Alexander P. Rosenberg on 27 March 1979; New York, Collection of Elaine and Alexander P. Rosenberg, MS 5, bookplate upper pasteboard, with initials "APR"; loaned by Rosenberg to the landmark exhibition The Last Flowering. French Painting in Manuscripts, 1420-1530, from American Collections , organized at the Pierpont Morgan Library in 1982-1983. CONDITION: A few flakes, one stain, a few faces partially rubbed, one over-painted (face of the Virgin Mary, f. 35v), otherwise in excellent condition. Full description and images available. (BOH 212)- $250,000
- $250,000
Carthusian Ordinarium for the Mass and Office, in Latin, decorated manuscript on paper
MANUSCRIPT FOR CARTHUSIAN MONKS ON HOW TO OBSERVE THE LITURGY. In Latin, decorated manuscript on paper, Southern France (M ounes-les-Montrieux), November 15, 1544.Dimensions 145 x 90 mm. 96 folios on paper, watermark: a cross on a mount (unidentified), complete, written in a gothic cursive bookhand in a single column on 25 lines, red rubrics and initials. BINDING: modern half binding in cream-colored parchment over pasteboards, marbled papers on covers, pastedowns and flyleaves, five raised bands on spine, in excellent condition. TEXT: A handbook for the Carthusian liturgy for new priests. This is a manuscript about the Mass and Divine Office, setting forth the rules that governed the complex liturgical life of a Carthusian monastery. The information it contains is thus very different than the contents of much more common liturgical manuscripts like Missals or Breviaries. How widely this text was disseminated within the Carthusian Order remains a question for further research. PROVENANCE: copied at the charterhouse of Montrieux (in Latin, mons rivus), in Southern France, located in the commune of M ounes-les-Montrieux, north of Tolon, and about an hour away from Marseille, and securely dated 1544 in the scribal colophon at the end of part one; bookplate of Ludovic Froissart (d. 1977); modern booksellers's marks on the verso of the front flyleaf. CONDITION: slight water damage on the first leaves, some stains, and signs of use, otherwise in very good condition. Full description, images, and video available (TM 1181).- $11,000
- $11,000
Privilegieboek van den Jongen Handboge (Privilege-book of the Young Handbow) of Antwerp (Guild of St. Sebastian); in Dutch, illustrated manuscript on parchment
BOOK DESCRIPTION: EXQUISITELY WRITTEN AND DECORATED MANUSCRIPT FOR AN EARLY ARCHERY GUILD. In Dutch, illustrated manuscript on parchment, Belgium, Antwerp, c. 1575 with 17th-century additions. Dimensions 273-275 x 187 mm., complete, frame-ruled in faint rust-brown ink (justification 215-218×135-137 mm.), written below top line by three scribes, the main scribe writing an elegant gothic script with some cursive elements (semi-hybrida) in 22-32 lines, the second scribe annotating the first in a less formal semi-hybrida currens, the third scribe working in a gothic script (semi-hybrida) in 15-25 lines. BINDING: Bound in 1783 in black leather over beveled boards, elaborately tooled in gold, gilt-tooled spine. TEXT: A collection of statutes, ordinances, privileges, and other documents for an early archery guild in Antwerp. One of only a small number of extant militia guild privilege-books, this is the sole known example from the Jongen Handboge ('Young Handbow'). ILLUSTRATION: The very skillful decoration in this volume is one of its outstanding features, with 29 large ornate decorated initials in black ink and two smaller initials; most are highly flourished cadel initials, with finely drawn figures including birds and animals integrated into the elaborate patterns of interlaced pen-strokes, FOUR DRAWINGS (two full-page, one half-page, one small) and FULL-PAGE DIAGRAM evince a high degree of technical skill with precise outlines and sensitive three-dimensional modelling, creating an effect reminiscent of fine engraving. PROVENANCE: Main text copied in Dutch, in Antwerp, in 1575 by Hans Verrast for the Jongen Handboge ("Young Handbow"). The main hand and illustrations are consistent with this date. Additions through c.1648 situate the manuscript in possession of the guild until at least the latter year; date of the guild's dissolution is uncertain; acquired by the van Havre family of Antwerp in the Dutch Era in the Dutch Era ("den Hollandschen tijd") ? i.e., 1814-1830; with several brief inscriptions and other marks, including: " . 1823" and "Gurtram ," along with two pasted-in heraldic bookplates, one bearing the legend "Ex Libris / A.v.Billet"; CONDITION: some rippling and mild edge-gap at ff. 22 and 29, light scuffing of binding, but otherwise in very fine condition. Full description and images available. (TM 1104)- $45,000
- $45,000
Lo Statuto della Compagnia del Santissimo Sagramento in S. Nicolà dei Perfetti (Statutes of the Confraternity of the Most Holy Sacrament), in Italian and Latin, decorated manuscript on parchment
CAREFULLY WRITTEN AND DECORATED UNPUBLISHED MANUSCRIPT FROM AN ITALIAN CONFRATERNITY. In Italian and Latin, decorated manuscript on parchment, Italy (Rome), c. 1736-1745. Dimensions 231 x 167 mm., 27 folios, complete, written in black ink in italic and in an upright script modelled on Roman font in 25 long lines, red rubrics, full decorative borders in black ink throughout, five 3-line and one 4-line initials in red ink with acanthus, one 6-line initial in black ink with acanthus, decorative tail pieces throughout. BINDING: original quarter leather binding with decorative paper covered boards. TEXT: This manuscript contains the statues for a confraternity in Rome, recording its regulations including the election of its chief officers, maintenance of the archives, care for the sick, funerary arrangements for deceased members, and so forth. Carefully written and decorated, this manuscript illustrates the interesting continuation of manuscript culture (in this case clearly influenced by the aesthetics of contemporary printed volumes) in the eighteenth century. PROVENANCE: Written and decorated in Rome for the Confraternity of the Holy Sacrament in S. Nicol dei Perfetti, Rome; the Statutes were originally ratified c. 1736; additions at the end of the manuscript confirming reforms to the statutes are dated 1744-1745; auction and other notes, all in pencil, in several hands; later owned by Kroch's Bookstore, Inc., Chicago (typed description from Kroch's bookstore laid in). CONDITION: slight darkening to edges, binding with slight wear to corners of boards, first quire loosened from bottom cord, in otherwise very good condition. Full description and images available. (TM 1093)- $6,500
- $6,500
Vaderboec (second Dutch translation of the Vitae patrum); in Middle Dutch, manuscript on paper
RARE DUTCH TRANSLATION OF A TEXT IMPORTANT TO THE RELIGIOUS REFORMERS KNOWN AS THE DEVOTIO MODERNA. In Middle Dutch, manuscript on paper, Southern part of the Northern Netherlands, probably Limbourg, c. 1475-1500. Dimensions 207 x 140 mm., 188 folios, written in a littera hybrida by one hand, skillful and vary attractive penwork initials. BINDING: CONTEMPORARY, wooden boards covered with brown leather, blind-tooled with double and triple fillets, two brass clasps. TEXT: This neatly written codex includes the second Dutch translation of a compilation of early Christian hagiographic texts, presenting the lives of third- and fourth-century hermits as examples worthy of imitation. Appearing high on the list of recommended reading for the Devotio Moderna , the Vaderboec in this translation that originated not far from the heartland of the Modern Devotion is nevertheless very rare. PROVENANCE: Copied in the Northern Netherlands, probably Limbourg, c. 1475-1500; later owned by brother Conrad Melis of Roermond (a city in northern Limbourg, the Netherlands), who presented it to the Benedictine monastery of St. Vitus in Mönchengladbach in 1688 (Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany); owned in the late 1960s by Mr. P. Mullaert in Ghent, Belgium (listed in Bernard Lambert, Bibliotheca hieronymiana manuscripta ); later belonged to Joost R. Ritman (b. 1941). CONDITION: in good general condition, lacking 2 leaves with text, both covers worn, both catches missing, upper hinge weak, quire iii (ff. 19?28) nearly loose, ff. 23 and 24 entirely loose, tear of c. 7 cm. in f. 90, some unobtrusive stains. Full description and images available. (TM 539)- $75,000
- $75,000
Scriptum super libros sententiarum Petri Lombardi, Liber I (Commentary on the Sentences of Peter Lombard, Book one); in Latin, decorated manuscript on paper
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPT OF A THEOLOGICAL COMMENTARY BY THOMAS AQUINAS. In Latin, decorated manuscript on paper, Central Italy, c. 1450-1500. Dimensions 225 x 237 mm., 134 folios, copied by two scribes in small gothic book hands, red and blue initials throughout. BINDING: reversed calf over pasteboards (eighteenth-century?). TEXT: St. Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), a Dominican friar and Doctor of the Church, composed his commentary on the Sentences of Peter Lombard while teaching in Paris in the 1250s. It was his first major work on theology, in which he presented ideas that were to be elaborated in the Summa contra Gentiles and Summa Theologica , the latter destined to become the standard textbook of Catholic theology for centuries to come. When Aquinas was teaching, the Sentences had been the standard theology textbook since its compilation in the twelfth century. Our manuscript includes only book one, and many manuscripts of this text in fact include only a single book (or books). Only one other copy of Book I is found in a North American collection. PROVENANCE:Copied probably in the Marche region of Italy in the second half of the 15th century, when it was acquired by the Dominican convent of Santa Lucia in Fabrian (note on f. 134, partially erased and partially missing the ends of lines where the original page was torn away); European Private Collection. CONDITION: lacking two leaves at front, last leaf partially defective with some loss of text, mild dampstaining to margins and a few text pages (f. 1 and ff. 114-134), some fraying at edges and corners. Full description and images available. (TM 1136)- $32,000
- $32,000
Book of Hours (use of Rome); in Latin and French, illuminated manuscript on parchment
ILLUMINATED PRAYER BOOK MADE FOR A WOMAN AND DECORATED BY AN IMPORTANT FOLLOWER OF JEAN COLOMBE. In Latin and French, illuminated manuscript on parchment, France, Bourges, c. 1490-1500. Dimensions 135 x 90 mm., 166 folios, lacking 2 leaves, written in dark brown ink in a cursive gothic bookhand on 15 lines, 1- and 2- line initials, in-filled with gold leaves and flower throughout, 4 FULL-PAGE MINIATURES with architectural frames or frames embellished with jewels and pearls, inscribed with the incipit of the prayer in gold. BINDING: 18th-century brown sheepskin over pasteboard, spine with four raised bands. ILLUSTRATION: The four full-page miniatures are by the Master of Jean de Ferrières, a rare artist who enjoyed success at the Bourbon court in Moulins, and whose career certainly deserves further study. Enshrined within golden frames that simulate the metalwork of devotional altarpieces, these miniatures demonstrate an intimate understanding and singular interpretation of Jean Colombe's prolific production. PROVENENACE:Stylistic evidence indicates that the present manuscript was illuminated in Bourges, probably in the 1490s. The textual features of the manuscript confirm this location, and the fact that this was made for a woman (female form of the Obsecro te). An inscription was added on f. 163v in the early sixteenth century shortly after the completion of the Book of Hours: "Vostre tresobeissant et meilleur filz a jamais: Du Breul" [Your most obedient and best son forever: Du Breul]. This inscription was likely added by the son of the original owner of the manuscript, as a token of love and respect for his mother. He signs his name as Du Breul, which must have been his father's name as well. CONDITION: slight dampstaining to some opening pages, but with no damage to the text, faces of the miniature on f. 1 quite worn, slight stains on the frame of the miniature on f. 103, corners of binding worn, otherwise in good condition. Full description and images available. (BOH 193)- $60,000
- $60,000
Latin Bible, part (Pauline and Catholic Epistles, Acts, Apocalypse); NICHOLAS OF LYRA, Postillae (Commentaries on the Pauline and Catholic Epistles, Acts, Apocalypse); in Latin, decorated manuscript on paper
Nicholas of Lyra MANUSCRIPT COMBINING A LATIN NEW TESTAMENT AND COMMENTARIES BY NICHOLAS OF LYRA. In Latin, decorated manuscript on paper, Northeastern Netherlands or Northwestern Germany, c. 1450-1475. Dimensions 275 x 198 mm., 383 folios, apparently complete, written in a formal cursive gothic bookhand without loops in two columns of 38 lines, red initials, nine- to fifteen-line blue or parted red and blue initials, added running titles, which continue to part two of the volume; ff. 146-end, copied in a very neat controlled hybrida script, red initials 3- to-10 line (occasionally blue), a few with pen decoration,10-line red initial, six 10-line parted red and blue initials. BINDING: seventeenth century(?) plain vellum over pasteboard with yap edges. TEXT: This sizeable volume combines a copy of the New Testament, lacking only the Gospels, with the Commentaries by Nicholas of Lyra on the same books of the New Testament. Although possibly of independent origin, these two sections are contemporary and were united very soon after they were copied. This is the only manuscript we know of that combines the two within one volume, but it is easy to see how readers benefited greatly by having these complementary texts together. PROVENANCE: Evidence of the script, decoration, and watermarks suggests the first part of the manuscript, with the biblical text, was copied in Northwestern Germany, c. 1450-1475; evidence of the watermarks and script suggest the second half of the manuscript with Nicholas of Lyra's postillae likely copied in the Northeastern Netherlands or in Northwestern Germany, c. 1460-1470; belonged to Johann Heinrich Joseph Niesert (1766-1841); later owners, Isaac H. Hall and S. B. Pratt. CONDITION: In very good overall condition, f. 1 slit at the bottom inner margin, frayed in the outer margin, ff. 145v-146 paper noticeably darkened, f. 383 frayed at the gutter, few worm holes, rare stains from damp top margin in the second half, last few pages a bit fragile in the inner margin, vellum at the front now detached from the pasteboard and curling up, front and back covers rather dirty and scuffed. Full description and images available. (TM 1089)- $70,000
- $70,000
Viridarium Gregorianum sive Biblia Gregoriana, New Testament (A Garden or Bible of Gregory); in Latin, decorated manuscript on parchment
JACOBUS FOLQUERIUS (JACQUES FOUQUIER) FOURTEENTH-CENTURY MANUSCRIPT OF A RARE NEW TESTAMENT COMMENTARY COPIED BY A NAMED SCRIBE. In Latin, decorated manuscript on parchment, Southwest Flanders or Hainaut (Tournai?), c. 1350. Dimensions 240 x 170 mm., 120 folios, complete, catchwords in red and brown ink, quire signatures, written by a single scribe in a university bookhand, scrolling cadels at top lines sometimes in human and animal forms, numerous red and blue/black penwork initials of five to seven lines. BINDING: Nineteenth-century marbled boards and doublures, parchment covering corners and spine, spine title in red and black with filigreed decoration in red. TEXT: A New Testament commentary, Jacobus Folquerius's Viridarium Gregoriana , mined from many of Gregory the Great's works, drawing occasionally on Alulfus of Tournai's Gregorialis . The text is known in only three other manuscripts; this copy was, until now, apparently unknown, and is certainly the only of its kind on the market. PROVENANCE: Based on the script, this manuscript was copied c. 1350 by a scribe trained in Southwest Flanders or Hainaut (Tournai?). The parchment's texture and penwork initials are also consistent with this region. The scribe, moreover, names himself on the final folio: "Hic liber est scriptus ludofus sit benedictus." Ludolfus is otherwise unknown. The Germanic name Ludolfus, coupled with the manuscript's northwestern physical features, is consistent with production in this region; an auction record indicates this manuscript was previously in a Bordeaux private collection, although the blue pencil note in English suggests an interruption in French ownership. CONDITION: some small spots and parchment discoloration occasionally clouding text, several original holes in parchment once stitched, rodent damage to bottom inner corner of last two quires, minor cockling of leaves due to tight binding, some chipping on binding cover, edges, and hinges, staining on front flyleaves and some ink transfer to flyleaves adjacent to book block, overall in good condition. Full description and images available. (TM 1054)- $85,000
- $85,000
La Fiorita d?Italia; in Italian, decorated manuscript on parchment
Guido da Pisa BOOK DESCRIPTION: FIFTEENTH-CENTURY COPY OF GUIDO DA PISA'S HISTORY OF ROME, IN ITALIAN. In Italian, decorated manuscript on parchment, Italy, Tuscany, Florence(?), c. 1440-1460. Dimensions 260 x 182 mm., 83 folios, lacking nine leaves, horizontal catchwords, written in brown ink by two different scribes in Italian cursive mercantesca script in single column on 38 lines, penwork initials. BINDING: ORIGINAL dark brown calf over wooden boards blind-tooled with fillets, twisted rope and x-form motifs, fitted purple buckram case c. 1900. TEXT: Guido da Pisa is best-known for his commentary on Dante, and Dante is cited often in this work, a history of Rome composed within the format of a universal chronicle. This text is now remarkably rare; in fact this is the first copy to appear on the open market in over 140 years, and one of only a few copies on parchment. PROVENANCE: script and decoration suggest that the manuscript was written in Tuscany in the middle of the fifteenth century. The binding, decoration, the quality of the script and the choice of parchment support suggest it was made for a patron of some wealth and influence; several inscriptions from unidentified early modern owners; Gerali di Pontremoli (in Tuscany), inscription on front pastedown, records the acquisition of the book from his family on November 20, 1889. CONDITION: small stains, slight water damage outer margins ff. 65-68, clasps and catches missing, losses of leather especially at foot of boards and spine (the latter with modern conservation), worm holes, otherwise in very good condition. Full description and images available. (TM 1053)- $52,000
- $52,000
Printed Book of Hours (use of Rome); In Latin and French, printed and illuminated on parchment: https://rarebookinsider.com/rare-books/printed-book-of-hours-use-of-rome-in-latin-and-french-printed-and-illuminated-on-parchment/