Hours of the Virgin, printed on vellum

Hours of the Virgin, printed on vellum
Jean Poitevin for Antoine Vérard, 1498
HORAE, use of Rome, in Latin and French. Paris: Jean Poitevin, for Antoine Vérard, 2 July 1498.

Rare book of hours, illuminated and printed on vellum by Poitevin. The illustrations are borrowed (or imitated) from Jehannot and Pigouchet–including Poitevin's printer's device! Only three other copies recorded by ISTC, all in France. C 3118; Boh(1924) 645; Winn(Vérard) H-20; GW 13273; ISTC ih00393700.

Octavo (195 x 124mm). Printed on vellum. 92 leaves. Ruled in red. 16 large cuts, with anatomical man and full-page printer's device, 32 smaller cuts in text, all pages with full historiated woodcut borders, initials illuminated on red, blue, and black grounds (finger-soiled, offsetting from initials and some spots and stains, small vellum flaw repaired in margin, tear affecting border). 18th-century French calf gilt (spine and upper board with leather surface abraded, lower spine restored); custom chemise and slipcase. Provenance: François Philipe Fredy, squire to Sieur Dumoulines (inscriptions on flyleaves, dated 1663).