Fine Printed Books & Manuscripts, Including Americana

Comprising: 30 individual leaves on vellum, ruled in black and red ink and culled from 5 Books of Hours, one prayer book ca 17th century or later, and one early manuscript, several containing miniatures, including 3 full-page (two repaired in old facsimile), various 2-and 4-line initials heightened in gilt and in various colors, several initials illuminated with humanistic images. Various sizes, the largest 165 x 114 mm.

Most written in gothic hands with one illuminated miniature believed to be of 14th century French origin, depicting a dragon in flight and a full-page scene of the Virgin with Child seated upon a throne, as well as a partially restored, in old facsimile, full page scene of an angel visiting Jesus Christ. The early manuscript leaf is in 52 lines, double-columned with one 8-line initial and one 6-line initial. Most leaves window-mounted, others bound-in. (Some soiling to leaves, two leaves trimmed, spotting throughout). Late 19th century velvet over boards, all edges gilt (light rubbing to extremities, some darkening).