Rationale Divinorum Officiorum by DURANTI, Guillelmus [1237?-1296] - 1487

[Colophon on Gvr:] Venice: Guilelmus Anima Mia, Tridinensis [Guilelmus de Cereto], 20 November 1487., 1487. folio. 310 x 213 mm. [ff. 197]. lacking 1 of the 2 final blanks. gothic type. 59 lines. double columns. woodcut initials. circular astrological calendar on G1v. 18th (?) century drawing on verso of last leaf. later vellum over bds. (recased, binding stained, waterstain in upper corners of first 30 leaves, causing some limpness, & in the fore-margins of the last 15 leaves, with resulting slightly ragged edges, a single wormtrack within the first stain, never touching the text, occasional foxing & marginal soiling, tear in first leaf repaired obscuring some letters, but a large copy with deckle edge visible on many leaves). Rare edition of this fundamental source for the history of the Western liturgy, written by Guillelmus Duranti, French canonist and Bishop of Mende. "Its eight books contain a detailed account of the laws, ceremonies, customs, and mystical interpretation of the Roman Rite. Book I treats of [religious art and architecture:] the church, altar, pictures, bells, churchyard, etc.; II of the ministers; III of vestments; IV of the Mass; V of the canonical hours; VI of the Proprium Temporis; VII of the Proprium Sanctorum; and VIII of the astronomical calendar, manner of finding Easter, Epacts, etc. [The] Rationale is the most complete medieval treatise of its kind; it is still the standard authority for the ritual of the thirteenth century and for the symbolism of rites and vestments." (Catholic Encyclopedia) GW 9133. Goff D432 (3 copies only). Hain-Copinger 6493. Pellechet 4510. Not in BMC or Proctor.. Hardcover. Good.