Horae BVM [Book of Hours of the Blessed Virgin Mary]

MS 2087

Early 15th century

In addition to a Calendar in which each day of the year is alloted to a particular Saint, the book contains some Gospel sequences, the Hours of the Virgin according to the use of Paris, psalms, a litany, the Office of the Dead and a series of prayers. Each line is written in dark brown ink in a gothic liturgical hand with one- and two-line initials and line-fillers in blue, red and gold with white tracery and three-sided borders of ivyleaf design incoporating daisies, columbines, bluebells, wild strawberries and other flowers. There are six large miniatures (for example the Magi, the Presentation at the Temple) and 24 small miniatures in the Calendar (12 showing typical activities for each month and 12 showing the signs of the Zodiac) and 21 small miniatures of Saints.A digital version of the manuscript is available at http://www.reading.ac.uk/GCMS/Book-of-Hours/gcms-book-of-hours-virtual-vellum.aspx

1 volume; ff. i + 185 + i

Binding [probably 19th century] in crimson with morocco slip-case bearing spine title "Horae MS in membranis".

Latin

fonds

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Written in France, perhaps by a follower of the Bedford Master, at the Pedrizet School near Paris, 1415-1435. Front pastedown carries book-plate of Henry White JP DL FSA and pencil note: "Sold by Sotheby at sale of Henry White's library 21 Apr - 2 May 1902 to Maxim for £305.0.0. Lot 1113".

A digital version of the manuscript is available at http://www.reading.ac.uk/GCMS/Book-of-Hours/gcms-book-of-hours-virtual-vellum.aspx

MS 5314

J.A. Edwards. A gift and its donor : some account of MS 2087, presented to the Library by Dr Nellie B. Eales, formerly Senior Lecturer in Zoology in the University. Reading : The Library, University of Reading, 1984. [12]p. : ill.(on cover) ; 22cm.