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 is surrounded by elaborate iron engravings that include plants and mythical creatures. Six of the engravings are allegories from the Dance of Death, depicting a skeleton with various individuals (captioned in French), including an astrologer, a priest, and a provost. Printed vellum Book of Hours leaves are very scarce, as they were only produced between 1496 and 1530. Beginning with the large "C" on recto is Psalm 137, which translates in part as:

O Lord, I will confess to you with my whole heart, for you have heard the words of my mouth. I will sing psalms to you in the sight of the Angels.
I will adore before your holy temple, and I will confess your name: it is above your mercy and your truth. For you have magnified your holy name above all.
On whatever day that I will call upon you: hear me. You will multiply virtue in my soul.

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Condition: B+

Light toning and soiling.