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 leaf printed on paper in Gothic textura type with illuminated capitals in red and blue. The Latin text is surrounded by elaborate iron engravings that include a biblical scenes and mythical creatures. Printed Book of Hours leaves are very scarce, as they were only produced between 1496 and 1530. The text includes prayers to Saint Stephen and Saint Christopher.

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Condition: A

A bright sheet with a light dampstain at top left and a few small worm holes in the blank margins.