Title: Breviary, Circa 1350, Italy. Latin Manuscript on Parchment, With 15th Century Illumination, Including a Historiated Initial of Christ
Condition: Very Good
An incomplete, but substantial example of a mid 14th century manuscript Latin Breviary, produced in Italy, written on parchment.
The text is written in Latin, and is a Gothic script written in brown ink, bearing hundreds of ornate 2 and 3-line initials in red and blue, as well as larger, 4 to 9-line initials, all bearing flowering tendrils. There are then countless 1-line initials in red and blue
Several large, illuminated initials have been added by a 15th century owner, including a charming 3-line historiated initial of Christ, with a lovely border.
There are some contemporary to near contemporary annotations in red, and a few other inscriptions, making this an intriguing manuscript of study.
As the manuscript begins at Psalm 47 and ends abruptly, it is evident that at least several dozen leaves are lacking.
This manuscript is written in a 22-line format.
This manuscript has been newly rebound by Canadian bookbinder Keith Felton.
One manuscript in 12mo, 153 leaves on parchment
This volume is in very good shape, with heavy rubbing and wear to the original boards, and some old chipping. There is scattered browning and staining, with some marginal dampstaining, more to the last third of the volume. There are a few worm tracks, and a small hole to one leaf in the center, the latter causing minor text loss.