Book of Hours for Use in Chartres. Paris, Thielman Kerver, 1 - Lot 83

Book of Hours for Use in Chartres. Paris, Thielman Kerver, 1553. Gothic 8vo, fawn calfskin, frame decorated with black and white bands and gold fillets, interlaced and scrollwork designs arranged around a central medallion bearing the names Catherine and Luke, plain, decorated spine, gilt edges (contemporary binding). A very rare Book of Hours for use in Chartres, printed in red and black in large Gothic type on paper by Yolande Bonhomme, widow of Thielman I Kerver. We have found no record of a publication on this date. The title page is adorned with Kerver’s large mark; on the reverse, the almanac for 12 years (1553 to 1564). Immediately following the title page is the “Patenostre” that “Our Lord Jesus Christ” composed (8 ff.). Then begins the Book of Hours proper, comprising 190 numbered folios, including the calendar on 12 folios adorned with 12 woodcuts in oval frames, notably featuring, for the month of February, the famous depiction of the school spanking. This is followed by two title leaves and various short works: *Devout Prayers to Our Lady* and *The Ladder of Perfection* (8 ff.), followed by some beautiful preparations for devoutly receiving the Holy Sacrament (12 ff., including on the verso of the last one this colophon: Printed in Paris by Yoland Bonhomme, 1555), Prayer to Saint Genevieve (4 ff.), The Life of My Lady Saint Margaret (12 ff., printed entirely in black), Commendations for the Departed (16 ff. in Latin, with on the verso of the last page the mark of Thielman Kerver and this colophon: The Commendations for the Departed, newly printed by Yoland Bonhomme, widow of Thielman Kerver, 1555). The Book of Hours is adorned with 47 large, three-quarters-page woodcuts illustrating scenes from the Old Testament, the lives of Mary and Jesus, and traditional depictions found in books of hours: the Anatomical Man, the Trinity, the Three Dead and the Three Living, etc. Beautiful contemporary binding decorated with interlacing and scrollwork highlighted with black and white wax. Spine repaired.

Estimate:£3,429.52

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