Horae, use of Rome, in Latin and French. Paris: Guillaume Anabat for Gilles and Germain Hardouin, [not before 1505; almanac for 1500-1520].

A rare Book of Hours, known in only two other copies, this copy with original illuminated miniatures replacing the printed ones. The luxurious nature of these personal prayer books was often enhanced by being printed on vellum and with their metalcut illustrations painted and illuminated by hand, but it is rare that they are further customised with original illuminated miniatures entirely replacing the printed images, as here. This copy, and perhaps the edition, was printed with this treatment in mind, since the spaces for the large illustrations have been left blank. In fact, one illumination is painted over a faintly (mistakenly?) printed base, and three others retain the printed prayer at the base. Brunet cites one copy only – the Didot copy (Catalogue des livres…Firmin-Didot, 1879, no. 117), also with 19 illuminated miniatures replacing the large printed metalcuts. Bohatta, Livres d’Heures, 708 = 709 = 715; Brunet Horae, 217; Goff H-416; ISTC ih00416000.

Octavo (193 x 115mm). Printed on vellum. 140 leaves. 19 full-page illuminated miniatures from a Paris workshop, several with ms. prayer below, metalcut astronomical man and 30 smaller metalcuts, all metalcuts coloured and illuminated, all pages (except those with full-page miniatures) with historiated border, illuminated initials on blue or pink ground. Early 19th-century red morocco gilt with arms of Gian Giacomo Lepri at centre of both covers, gilt spine with black lettering-pieces, blue silk endleaves, gilt edges (expert repairs at hinges and extremities). Provenance: Marchese Gian Giacomo Lepri (notable for a gift of manuscript to Pope Pius VII in 1814; binding).

Please note this lot is the property of a consumer. See H1 of the Conditions of Sale.