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.

This buttery vellum leaf features a hand-colored image of Saint Claudius, nimbed, wearing a bishop's miter, with two men kneeling before him. The Latin text adjacent to the image is a prayer for Saint Claudius, and includes illuminated initials and line fillers on recto and verso. The text is surrounded by elaborate iron engravings that feature biblical scenes, putti, flowers, and mythical creatures. The prayer translates as:

O consoler of the desolate, freer of captives, resurrection to the dead, light to the blind, hearing to the deaf, speech to the mute, teacher of sailors, healer of the weak and faint, a refuge of the healing art, a road for those who go astray, and the deliverance of all who hope in thee; O blessed Claudius, kindly confessor, pray for us to God, who made thee shine by so many and such great intercessions.

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Condition: B+

Very light soiling with a small blue ink stain on verso.