Rare books from Les Enluminures

ELEGANT MANUSCRIPT CONTAINING TWO WORKS OF SPIRITUAL AND MORAL EDIFICATION IN FRENCH TRANSLATION. Illuminated manuscript on parchment, in French, France, after 1482, c. 1490. Dimensions 274 x 175 mm. 70 folios, written in a Gothic bâtarde bookhand, 18 large initials parti-colored in red and/or blue, inserted leaf in first quire with FULL-PAGE HERALDIC COMPOSITION IN GOLD, SILVER, RED, BLUE AND BLACK. BINDING: Bound in modern nineteenth-century blue velvet over wooden boards, pink paper pastedowns and endleaves, edges gilt. TEXT: Manuscript contains two works that reflect the spirituality of fifteenth-century Carthusians and their quest for the contemplative life. The first text, Sept fruits de la tribulation, is known in only five extant manuscript and is still unedited. A free French version, probably dating from the fifteenth century, of either the longer Latin Tractatus de tribulacione, or an abridged adaptation of the French Livre de tribulacion. The second text, Miroir d'or de l'ame pecheresse,… Read More

ILLUMINATED CHOIR BOOK MADE BY STENCILS. In Latin with some Italian, illuminated stenciled book on paper with musical notation, Italy, late 18th-19th century. Dimensions 460 x 320 mm, 23 folios, complete, on very thick paper, prickings remain, seven lines of text and seven red four-line staves on each page, FIVE LARGE ILLUMINATED INITIALS, equivalent to one line of text and a musical stave in the medieval style. BINDING: 18th-century BINDING of gold-tooled leather with an ecclesiastical coat of arms, border on both covers, smooth spine, edges dyed red. TEXT: Books made by means of stencils occupy a fascinating mid-ground between manuscripts and printing with movable type. This is a particularly well-executed example, adorned with illuminated initials. It was certainly made for someone in or close to the rare Piarist Order (the "Order of the Pious Schools"). Bound in an 18th-century gold-tooled armorial binding, this handsome book was surely made as a special presentation copy. PROVENANCE: Made… Read More

RARE MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPT ON THE HEALTH OF HORSES. In Italian and Latin, illustrated manuscript on paper, Northern Italy (perhaps Ferrara), dated 1434. Dimensions 283 x 217 mm, 82 folios, complete, watermark of three mountains, phrases in decorative cartouches, written in in a gothic bookhand influenced by humanistic script in two columns of 29-35 lines, large painted initials in red throughout, large divided initial in red and brown on f. 1, five marginal drawings in red or in brown with yellow wash. BINDING: CONTEMPORARY BINDING of limp vellum with spine sewn in account-book style in a cloth clamshell case. TEXT: Rare signed and dated manuscript of the Italian translation of one of the principal treatises on veterinary medicine for horses. PROVENANCE: Copied for the use of Chalavereso, who very likely was the ducal farrier at the court of Niccolo III d'Este in Ferrara. The manuscript is dated 1434 (lower margin of f. 33), and the colophon on f. 69v records that it was copied by the scribe Guido de… Read More

BOOK DESCRIPTION: FIFTEENTH-CENTURY COPY OF GUIDO DA PISA'S HISTORY OF ROME, IN ITALIAN. In Italian, decorated manuscript on parchment, Italy, Tuscany, Florence(?), c. 1440-1460. Dimensions 260 x 182 mm., 83 folios, lacking nine leaves, horizontal catchwords, written in brown ink by two different scribes in Italian cursive mercantesca script in single column on 38 lines, penwork initials. BINDING: ORIGINAL dark brown calf over wooden boards blind-tooled with fillets, twisted rope and x-form motifs, fitted purple buckram case c. 1900. TEXT: Guido da Pisa is best-known for his commentary on Dante, and Dante is cited often in this work, a history of Rome composed within the format of a universal chronicle. This text is now remarkably rare; in fact this is the first copy to appear on the open market in over 140 years, and one of only a few copies on parchment. PROVENANCE: script and decoration suggest that the manuscript was written in Tuscany in the middle of the fifteenth century. The binding,… Read More

CAREFULLY WRITTEN AND DECORATED UNPUBLISHED MANUSCRIPT FROM AN ITALIAN CONFRATERNITY. In Italian and Latin, decorated manuscript on parchment, Italy (Rome), c. 1736-1745. Dimensions 231 x 167 mm., 27 folios, complete, written in black ink in italic and in an upright script modelled on Roman font in 25 long lines, red rubrics, full decorative borders in black ink throughout, five 3-line and one 4-line initials in red ink with acanthus, one 6-line initial in black ink with acanthus, decorative tail pieces throughout. BINDING: original quarter leather binding with decorative paper covered boards. TEXT: This manuscript contains the statues for a confraternity in Rome, recording its regulations including the election of its chief officers, maintenance of the archives, care for the sick, funerary arrangements for deceased members, and so forth. Carefully written and decorated, this manuscript illustrates the interesting continuation of manuscript culture (in this case clearly influenced by the aesthetics… Read More

BOOK DESCRIPTION: EXQUISITELY WRITTEN AND DECORATED MANUSCRIPT FOR AN EARLY ARCHERY GUILD. In Dutch, illustrated manuscript on parchment, Belgium, Antwerp, c. 1575 with 17th-century additions. Dimensions 273-275 x 187 mm., complete, frame-ruled in faint rust-brown ink (justification 215-218×135-137 mm.), written below top line by three scribes, the main scribe writing an elegant gothic script with some cursive elements (semi-hybrida) in 22-32 lines, the second scribe annotating the first in a less formal semi-hybrida currens, the third scribe working in a gothic script (semi-hybrida) in 15-25 lines. BINDING: Bound in 1783 in black leather over beveled boards, elaborately tooled in gold, gilt-tooled spine. TEXT: A collection of statutes, ordinances, privileges, and other documents for an early archery guild in Antwerp. One of only a small number of extant militia guild privilege-books, this is the sole known example from the Jongen Handboge
('Young Handbow'). ILLUSTRATION: The very skillful… Read More

CHARMING TINY PRINTED BOOK OF HOURS WITH EXPERTLY ILLUMINATED METALCUTS IN AN UNUSUAL OBLONG FORMAT, In Latin and French, printed and illuminated on parchment in Paris, c. 1536. Dimensions 143 x 76 mm., 90 folios, complete, 32 lines printed in Roman font in black ink (justification 118 x 47 mm), single-, double-, and triple-line initials in gold paint on alternating red and blue grounds, 14 metal-cuts, hand-illuminated in full color with gold borders. BINDING: Nineteenth-century brown leather with gilt-ruled frame, gold-tooled spine, worn with losses at joints and edges, small scratches and abrasions to the covers. TEXT AND ILLUSTRATION: Printed Books of Hours, like this rare example, consciously imitated illuminated manuscripts. In this particularly appealing volume by the Hardouyn Workshop, fourteen metalcuts are so vibrantly and expertly painted that they are practically indistinguishable from illuminated miniatures. This is a very rare imprint, not in Lacombe (1907) or Brunet (1860–1865); very… Read More

In Latin, decorated manuscript on parchment, Northern Italy (Brescia), c.1461-1484. Dimensions 260 x 186 mm, lacking the last leaf of text, otherwise complete, horizontal catchwords mostly in swirling cartouches with wash and penwork, ruled in gray ink (justification 174 x 127 mm.), written in black ink in an Italian rotunda on 21 lines. BINDING: In its ORIGINAL BINDING with wooden boards, traces of tooling with an interlacing pattern on the back board, leather on binding removed, clasps and catches missing, worm holes and wear, but in overall good condition, TEXT: This is a very fine display copy of an Epistolary: a rare type of lectionary that includes the texts for the second reading during Mass, the Epistles. This example represents a significant source for the history of the Dominican convent dedicated to Saint Florian, most likely St. Fiorano ai Ronchi in Brescia, Italy. PROVENANCE: The manuscript was made for use in a Dominican convent dedicated to St. Florian, almost certainly S. Fiorano ai… Read More

In Italian and Latin, manuscript of paper, Northern Italy (Bergamo?), December 10, 1432. Dimensions 188 x 142 mm, missing the first leaf, otherwise the text appears complete, ruled in lead with full-length vertical bounding lines ruled in blind (justification 138 x 97 mm.), ff. 1-27 written by Michaelis de Pergamo in a Gothico-Antiqua script in 24 long lines, f. 27 written in a script similar to the main text, ff. 27v and 28, copied in humanist cursive scripts (likely added by the scribe or early users). BINDING: Bound in nineteenth-century quarter green morocco gilt over marble paper boards, gilt lettering on the spine reads, "HISTORIA DANIÆ REGVM." TEXT: This manuscript was copied by Michael of Bergamo, who signed and dated it on f. 26v, very likely for his own use. The size, paper support, clearly legible but idiosyncratic script, and simple decoration of this modest manuscript, are characteristics that suggest an unprofessional though accomplished project. Now known as the De viris illustribus… Read More

ADMINISTRATIVE DOCUMENTS PROVIDING INSIGHTS INTO THE DAILY OPERATIONS OF A CATHEDRAL COMMUNITY IN LATE FIFTEENTH AND EARLY SIXTEENTH CENTURY FRANCE. In Latin, manuscript on paper, France (Arles), late 15th-early 16th century (1476-1503). Dimensions c. 310-315 × 225-230 mm (but ff. 139-248: c. 300 × 215 mm.), 252 folios on paper, a dozen watermarks, missing eleven leaves, written in multiple hands including a Gothic semi-hybrida and several very current Gothic cursiva hands, some with Secretary features, in 48-50 long lines. BINDING: early stiff vellum binding, detached at left board to reveal three bands, with two undyed ties of woven linen ribbon threaded through each board. TEXT: this codex holds records of 'Arrentements,' a form of lease, of the Chapter of the Cathédrale Saint-Trophime d'Arles covering c.1476-c.1503. Providing insights into the daily operations of a cathedral community in late fifteenth and early sixteenth century France, this treasure trove of administrative documents will be… Read More

BOOK DESCRIPTION: UNPUBLISHED ITALIAN DIPLOMATIC MANUSCRIPT, in Italian, manuscript on paper, Italy, Tuscany(?), 1605. Dimensions 260 x 196 mm., 16 folios on paper, complete, written in Italian cursive script in brown ink in 24 long lines. BINDING: Modern binding, blue paper cover with typed title pasted on the front cover, Relatione [sic] delli Principi de Italia. TEXT: The roots of modern diplomacy with our embassies and their ambassadors come into focus in this modest paper pamphlet. It belongs to an understudied category of Early Modern documents that consist of records known as Relazioni that ambassadors compiled on their travels and residencies, a practice that began already in the fifteenth century. Most likely written by an Italian ambassador of the early 17th century, this set of unpublished diplomatic records offers a snapshot of the Italian political scene at the time of its creation and survives as an excellent reminder of the pervasive manuscript culture that existed after the… Read More

BOOK DESCRIPTION: classic example of an illuminated Gothic Psalter from Paris. In Latin, illuminated manuscript on parchment, France (Paris), c. 1230-1250. Dimensions: 122 x 84 mm., 211 folios, lacking two leaves from the calendar, otherwise apparently complete, written in a good gothic bookhand in eighteen long lines by two scribes. SIXTEEN CALENDAR ROUNDELS depicting zodiac signs and occupations of the months and EIGHT HISTORIATED INITIALS by the Soissons Atelier. BINDING: bound in old red velvet, flat spine, green silk doublures, blue speckled edges. TEXT: this manuscript is an example of an illuminated Gothic Psalter from Paris, from the calendar with vignettes of the Labors of the Month and Zodiac and the historiated initials illustrating the major liturgical divisions of the Psalms, to the exuberant penwork line fillers and playful marginal decoration, replete with fish, dogs, dragons, and birds. PROVENANCE: Although written and illuminated in Paris in the second quarter of the thirteenth… Read More

BOOK DESCRIPTION: CHARMING FRIENDSHIP ALBUM MADE FOR AN ARISTOCRATIC WOMAN, WITH MOST ENTRIES BY WOMEN, in German, French, and Italian, illustrated manuscript on paper, Austria and Hungary, 1819-1839 (dated), dimensions 96 x 125 mm., 124 folios on paper, SEVEN WATERCOLORS, ONE PEN-AND-INK DRAWING, FIVE LITHOGRAPHS (four hand-colored), a few dried four-leaf clovers inserted between the leaves. BINDING: original binding of 1819, red morocco over pasteboards, both covers gold-tooled, gilt edges, some wear of leather on the hinges and corners, otherwise in good condition. TEXT AND ILLUSTRATION: The album amicorum, or album of friends, is a booklet in which young aristocrats collected entries made by their friends, relatives, and acquaintances whom they met during travels and studies. This album includes numerous poems offered by friends (mostly women), as well as watercolors, a drawing, and lithographs, signed with dates and current locations. Most album amicorum were made for men. The example described… Read More

BOOK DESCRIPTION: A true medieval bestseller AND the most widely copied work of secular literature of the Middle Ages. In Latin, illuminated manuscript on parchment, Northern France (Anchin Abbey?), dated 1422. Dimensions: 218 x 150 mm., 145 folios on paper, three watermarks, complete, written in brown ink in gothic cursive script, four large initials in red and brown inks and blue paint decorated with dragons, soldiers and flowers. BINDING: contemporary binding of limp vellum reusing an act of the Antipope John XXIII dated 1415 in Constance, overall in good condition. TEXT: copied and almost certainly decorated (in an exuberant fashion) by a young scribe who inserted his name in multiple colophons, Pierre Toullet. The text was an essential schoolbook throughout the Middle Ages and this copy was certainly used for study. It includes an anonymous commentary and interlinear glosses, making its monastic provenance particularly interesting. PROVENANCE: The entire manuscript was copied by Pierre Toullet in… Read More

BOOK DESCRIPTION: RARE RENAISSANCE MANUSCRIPT OF a practical guide to agriculturE. In Italian, manuscript on paper, Central Italy, c. 1450-1460. Dimensions 295 x 220 mm, 48 folios on paper with two watermarks, complete, written by a single hand in Italian cursive script in two columns of 45-55 lines, book and chapter titles in red. BINDING: unbound but text block and endleaves sewn on three alum tawed thongs, the two conjugate parchment manuscript leaves serving as a wrapper, text block lacks boards or any further evidence of the now-lost binding. TEXT: it was through Palladius's treatise that knowledge of Roman agricultural practices and the agronomy of the Later Roman Empire were transmitted to medieval Europe and beyond. Organized according to the calendar, this influential text was a practical guide, in simple language, to the agricultural tasks to be performed in each season of the year. This is a witness to the first Italian translation of the text, known in only 13 manuscripts. Manuscripts of… Read More