Title: Psalterium Dauidicum Dispositum per Hebdomadam Iuxta Romanum Regulam Ad Usum FF. Min. S. Fran. Capucc. Pars Verspertina, 1748. Stenciled Manuscript Psalter on Paper, Enhanced with Hand Drawn Illustrations, Printed Initials Pasted In, and Engravings Bound In
Artists: Theodor Verkruis; Nicolas Laigniel
Condition: Good
A massive early 18th century stenciled manuscript psalter, entitled David's Psalter Arranged by the Week According to the Roman Rule for the Use of the Franciscans and Capuchins. The part of Verspertina.
The main structure of the psalter is as followed: Dominica ad Vespere, Feria ad Vespere, Sabbat ad Vespere, Hymni Vespere de Tempore, Hymni per Annum, Commune Apostolorum, Commune Martyrum, Commune Confesorum, Commune Virginum, Dedicationis Ecclesiae.
Following these sections, are two additional, smaller sections, done entirely in black ink, the first one being In Festo Gabrielis Archangeli, or the Feast of Gabriel the Archangel. The second is Feria III.
This manuscript is primarily stenciled throughout in black and red, though a few pages have been done entirely by hand. Although one of the common traits of stenciled manuscript work is the gaps in some letters, it is possible that those gaps were very carefully filled in, as can be seen with some letters bearing additional layers of ink or paint.
This manuscript has been enhanced with 10 hand drawn illustrations, beginning on the title page, with a highly detailed illustration of King David playing the harp, and nine large historiated or inhabited initials done in hand by that same artist, possibly a draughtsman, based on the skillful level of execution. The manuscript has been further enhanced with numerous woodcut initials in red done by hand, and roughly 95 printed woodcut initials that have been carefully and precisely pasted, with one printed initial difficult to discern from the hand drawn examples, as it has also been partially embellished by hand. Woodcut decorations have been pasted in as well, with examples of pricking noted to a number of pages where additional decorations would have been added. Five massive full-page engravings have also been bound into this work. The first engraving is that of Saint Francis, by Theodor Verkruis a Dutch engraver, after Carolor Maratti an Italian painter. The second engraving is that of The Annunciation, by Nicolas Laigniel, produced circa 1680.
This manuscript has been bound in an impressive and contemporary binding, metal fittings, and brass bosses to the corners, though several rivets are lacking. There are also two straps, being of a later make to likely replace the originals, that wrap around to keep the book locked.
One stenciled manuscript in large folio (51.5 x 39 cm), 188+(7)+XCVI+(4)+17+(2)+XXXIX pages
This manuscript is in good shape, with minor rubbing and scuffing to the binding, and some stress to the hinges, with the lower front hinge splitting. The title page has been restored and mounted on several layers of paper. There are some repairs throughout, many to the margins, and a few tears as well, with some text loss. There is foxing and staining throughout.