Catalog Archive
Auction 181, Lot 722

"[Book of Hours Leaf]", Anon.

Subject: Early Printing

Period: 1530 (circa)

Publication:

Color: Hand Color

Size:
5.8 x 8.8 inches
14.7 x 22.4 cm
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This leaf is from the brief transitional period when the new technology of printing with movable type was combined with the more labor intensive methods of hand painting. The earliest printers were trained in the manuscript tradition and incorporated the conventions of historiated initials and illustrations into their early work. At first they left those spaces blank for the illuminator to complete entirely by hand. Later they developed printing methods (using woodcuts or iron engravings) to decorate the leaves.

Unusual vellum leaf printed in Gothic textura type with illuminated capitals in red, blue and burnished gold leaf. The text is surrounded by elaborate iron engravings that include plants and animals, including dragons and a centaur. These leaves are from the transitional period when the new technology of printing with movable type was combined with the more labor intensive methods of hand painting. Printed vellum Book of Hours leaves are very scarce, as they were only produced between 1496 and 1530.

References:

Condition: A

A bright sheet with minor marginal soiling.

Estimate: $110 - $140

Sold for: $130

Closed on 2/10/2021

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