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"[Book of Hours Leaf]", Anon.

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 in Latin and French and is surrounded by elaborate iron engravings that include plants, animals, and cherubs, as well as several biblical scenes. Printed vellum Book of Hours leaves are very scarce, as they were only produced between 1496 and 1530. The text translates in part as:

A true virgin and mother. The Lord is with thee. Mother of the true God and of the ancient man. The Lord is with thee. The mother of Jesus, the eleventh daughter of the only begotten god. The Lord is with thee. Mother of mercy. The Lord is with thee. Mother of truth. The Lord is with thee. Mother of charity. The Lord is with thee. God of women. The Lord is with thee.

The Lord is with thee. Consolation of the desolate. The Lord is with thee. Compassion for the afflicted. The Lord is with thee. The truth is the way of those who wander. Salvation to all who hope in you. The Lord is with thee.

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Condition: A

Minor marginal soiling.