Beschreibung:

BOOK OF HOURS, use of Rome, in Latin, ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM [Paris, 1430s] 192 x 135mm. 180 leaves: 1 12 , 2 8 , 3 4 , 4-12 8 , 13 4 , 14-23 8 , COMPLETE, signature marks below bottom lines of text on rectos, horizontal catchwords at lower edge of a few final versos, 15 lines written in black ink in a gothic bookhand between two verticals and 16 horizontals ruled in pink, justification: 98 x 65mm, rubrics in red, text capitals touched yellow, one-, two- and three-line initials of burnished gold on blue or dark pink grounds with white tracery and infills of the contrasting colour, similar line-endings, some in the form of flowers, three-line initials of blue or dark pink with white tracery against grounds of burnished gold with ivy-leaf sprays in orange and blue, and geometric patterns, every page with a panel border with sprays of orange and blue acanthus and hairline tendrils with gold trefoil terminals, flowerheads in blue, orange, red and green, TWELVE LARGE ARCH-TOPPED MINIATURES with text and miniature surrounded by three-sided baguette with ivy-leaf and floral decoration on burnished gold, with acanthus sprays sprouting from each corner, one with two baguettes of vases of flowers, all surrounded with full-page borders of acanthus, fruit and flower sprays and hairline tendrils with gold trefoil and foliate terminals, some borders incorporating a vase of flowers or clumps of flowers on small grassy hummocks (very slight rubbing of some borders, slight smudging and staining in some margins). 19th-century panelled straight-grained red morocco gilt, the borders patterned with lozenges, a fleur-de-lys at each corner, lined with blue watered silk (textblock detached at upper joint, scuffing to joints, rubbed at extremities). Brown morocco box by Rivière and Sons. PROVENANCE: 1. The style of illumination and aspects of the text suggest that the book was made in Paris, apparently for the open market although some degree of personal choice can be inferred from the texts. Although the Calendar is Parisian, none of the red-letter feasts is local to Paris. The Litany suggests an affinity with the Franciscans, since St Francis heads a special section of monastic saints -- which includes St Louis of Toulouse and, perhaps, St Anthony of Padua -- and St Clara and, perhaps, St Elizabeth of Hungary are among the virgins and widows. Two prayers are offered for the user's bishop, while another prayer includes a petition for the bishop (ff.122, 179v, 120). The Obsecro te is in the masculine. 2. 18th- or 19th-century monogram stamp in lower margin of f.1 3. ?Chester Beatty: a pencil note below the bookplate inside the first endleaf reads 'Bt in New York through Quaritch. Catalogue {Beatty} - Duveen' 4. Beverly Chew (1850-1924): his bookplate inside first endleaf. Chew 'was one of the most respected collectors of his day, a status he earned with discerning bibliographic judgement and good taste' ( Dictionary of American Book Collectors ). As well as building up a renowned collection he was one of the most active members of the Grolier Club from the year of its foundation, and his expertise was invaluable in the production of some of the Grolier Club's finest catalogues. After his death his library was sold by auction at the Anderson Galleries, New York in December 1924. The present manuscript (lot 261, illustrated) achieved one of the highest prices: it was bought by Sumner Healey for 1900 dollars. 5. Hermann Marx of Fairmile Lea, Cobham, Surrey: his bookplate inside front cover. A portion of Hermann Marx's 'Very Choice and Valuable Library' was sold by order of his executors in 1948 (Sotheby's, 19 April) and the remaining printed books were offered in 1976 (Christie's, 23 June). This manuscript and lot 23, the most valuable and prized of his collection, were bequeathed to his son, and by him to the present owner. CONTENT: Calendar ff.1-12v; Gospel Extracts ff.13-18, John f.13, Luke f.14, Matthew f.15v, Mark f.17v; Obsecro t