Title: Hore itemerate dei genitricis virginis marie, secundum vsum ecclesie Romane totaliter ad longu[m] sine require, vna cu[m] plurib'aliis suffragiis, 1511. Extremely Scarce Illuminated Books of Hours Printed on Vellum in Oblong Format, With 4 Large Miniatures, 5 Smaller Figures. Only One Copy Recorded on Worldcat
Author: Gilles Hardouyn
Publisher: Paris, Gilles Hardouyn
Condition: Very Good
An extremely scarce early 16th century illuminated Book of Hours printed on vellum and in an uncommon oblong (agenda) format, from the workshop of Gilles Hardouyn, the miniatures beautifully hand illuminated. This Hours is profusely illustrated throughout, with 9 of 18 metalcuts (4 half page), with illuminated frames, and beautiful metalcut frames to every other page, with delightful border illustrations. There is an almanac, dated 1511-1521.
From 1510-1550, the brothers Gilles and Germain Hardouyn produced hundreds of printed Books of Hours from their workshop in Paris. Gilles served as the printer, and Germain was the illustrator, being registered in the Guild of Illuminators, and later printing and publishing under his own sign. With such quality of works being produced from their workshop, these printed Books of Hours could often be mistaken as illuminated manuscripts.
This Book of Hours is printed in a 28-line format, with hundreds of illuminated 1 and 2-line initials against a red or blue background. Every page is beautifully highlighted with detailed metalcut borders.
This volume has been rebound in an early 20th century alum tawed pigskin binding with roll stamps, in the style of earlier pigskin bindings from the 16th to 17th century.
Quires C and D are missing, as are leaves from quires E (3 leaves), F (1 leaf), G (1 leaf), H (2 leaves), I (2 leaves), O (5 leaves) and P (2 leaves).
This volume bears the provenance inscription of the Swedish collection Per Hierta (1864-1924).
Worldcat records one existing copy of this edition in libraries.
One pigskin volume in oblong octavo, 88 of 120(?) leaves
This volume is in very good shape, with very little rubbing or wear to the binding. There is a small tear to the upper right corner of the first leaf, without any text loss. Leaf P1 and the final leaf are detached. There is some scattered browning and finger staining throughout.