Catholic Church. Missale Basiliense, [Basel], [Michael Wenssler, and/or others], rare

Catholic Church. Missale Basiliense, collation: [*6] a–f10 g12 [16] h–k10 A–F10 G H8, 189 ff. (of 190, lacking [*1] (first f. of Calendar), [11] blank, 31 lines, printed in red and black, Gothic type, initials in red or blue (some with marginal flourish), initial-strokes in red, early (often extensive) ink marginalia in black and red, including a full-page to verso of blank f., some mostly marginal damp-staining, causing the need for repairs to some ff. (generally without loss of text, save for h7, where just touching the final letter of some lines, and head of final gathering (H), where some letters neatly supplied in ink), C1 lower corner torn, affecting ink marginalia, [13&4] chip to outer margin, h1 small piece torn from upper blank corner, the odd short marginal tear, occasional spotting or staining, lightly browned, later blind-stamped panelled calf over wooden boards, spine in compartments and with manuscript paper title label at head, covers with small floral centre- and corner-pieces and foliage decoration, remains of metal clasps, upper joint starting, but holding firm, corners worn, some staining, little worming, rubbed and marked, folio (308 x 210mm.), [Basel], [Michael Wenssler, and/or Bernhard Richel, and/or Peter Kollicker with Johann Meister (Koch)], [c.1482-1483].*** Rare, this being the only copy we can trace at auction. ISTC records 12 copies (and a fragment), of which five are imperfect. On the ascription to Wenssler and the date see Allan Stevenson, The problem of the Missale Speciale (London, 1967).Provenance: ‘Ch. ?Himais, 21 März 1951’ (ink inscription to outer margin of first f. of Calendar).Literature: Goff M-649; GW 24267; BSB-Ink M-420; Weale-Bohatta 156; ISTC im00649000.