Title: Ces Presentes Heures a l'Usaige de Romme, 1520. Extremely Scarce Illuminated Books of Hours Printed on Vellum, With 9 Large Miniatures, and 6 Smaller Figures. Extremely Scarce, No Recorded Copies on USTC
Author: Germain Hardouyn
Publisher: Paris, Germain Hardouyn
Condition: Very Good
An extremely scarce early 16th century illuminated Book of Hours printed on vellum, from the workshop of Germain Hardouyn, the miniatures beautifully hand illuminated. This Hours is profusely illustrated throughout, with 9 large illuminated metalcut illustrations and 6 smaller metalcuts. There is an almanac, dated 1520-1539.
The large miniatures are as followed:
Title Cut (A1v), Prologue to the Gospel according to John (B2v), the Annunciation (C7v), the Arrest of Christ (B7r), Visit of the Virgin Mary to her cousin Elizabeth (D4v), Office of the Holy Spirit (E3v), Shepherd and shepherdess with their flock (E7v), Presentation of Jesus in the Temple (F5v), Flight into Egypt (F8v), Psalm of King David. “Yahweh, do not punish me in your anger, and do not chastise me in your fury” (H7r)
This Book of Hours is printed in a 26-line format, with hundreds of illuminated 1 and 2-line initials against a red or blue background. There are several larger initials as well.
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.
Leaves B5, E2 and E7, 72, G2, I8 are lacking.
Worldcat and USTC do not record any existing copies of this edition in libraries.
One finely bound volume in 16mo, 90 of 96 leaves on vellum
This volume is in very good shape, with minor rubbing and wear to the binding, with stress to the hinges. A few gutters are exposed. There is very little foxing or staining throughout.