Book of Hours

Illuminated manuscript [Book of Hours] on vellum, in Latin and French. Most likely created in northern France (Paris), circa 1470. This diminutive Book of Hours comprises: a Calendar (fol. 1r); Gospel Readings (fol. 13r); Obsecro te (fol. 18r); O intemerata with the title "Orison devote a la vierge me" (fol. 22r); the Hours of the Virgin, with Matins (fol. 25r), Lauds (fol. 34v), Prime (fol. 44v), Terce (fol. 49v), Sext (fol. 53v), Nones (fol. 57v), Vespers (fol. 61v) and Compline (fol. 69v); the seven Penitential Psalms (fol. 75), with a Litany (fol. 85r) and prayers; the Hours of the Cross (fol. 89r); the Hours of the Dead (fol. 95r), followed by prayers, including the "xv ioyes nostre dame" (fol. 122v) and the "vii requestes nostre seigneur" (fol. 127r), both in French. One volume with 130 leaves, wanting leaves with miniatures at fols. 24, 74, 88, 94, and 129. Single column, 14 lines in a fine late gothic bookhand, capitals touched in yellow, red rubrics, one- and two-line initials in gold on blue and pink grounds heightened with white penwork, eleven border panels of single line foliage with gold colored leaves and fruits (fols. 18r, 22r, 34v, 44v, 49v, 53v, 61v, 68v, 122v, 127r). Fifteenth century paper devotional sheet with heart pierced by the Cross between the inscription: "IHS est amor meus" pasted to recto of second front endleaf (upper lefthand corner torn away), and with prayers in manuscript on 8 leaves at end. 12 mo (142 X 102 mm). Modern tooled calf binding over pasteboards in medieval style, gilt title "Missel" tooled on spine, a.e.g., by R. Petit. Some small smudges and slight cockling to a few leaves, else excellent and clean condition.