Only known copy of a variant issue of this splendid Plantin Book of Hours (1573) with the series of engraved illustrations in spectacular fresh and strong impressions; in a beautiful contemporary binding in fanfare style

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1 [BOOK OF HOURS].
Antwerp, Christopher Plantin, 1573. Large 8vo (207 x 136mm). Full strictly contemporary calf, richly gilt tooled à la fanfare with triple fillets along the edges, foliage between the bands forming oval and rectangular cartouches with floral stamps and stamp of the face of an angel between its wings; in the central cartouche a psalm verse (Ps. 96 (97), vs. 11: 'Lux orta est iusto' (front cover), 'et recti(s) corde letitia' (lower cover), which verse ('Light is risen to the just (= Christ), and joy to the right of heart')  is very appropriate for a binding for a Book of Hours; flat spine with fine gilt floral spiral, gilt binding edges, g.e. Printed throughout in red and black with all pages set within 16 different richly decorated woodcut borders consisting of four blocks, each containing symbolical images in ovals (the 16 borders are repeated in each quire), with the complete series of the circular title engraving (75 x 74mm) and 19 engraved plates (ca. 115 x 75 mm), all engraved by Johannes Wierix after the designs of Peeter van der Borcht (only 'The adoration of the Magi' is after an anonymous design), illustrating scenes from the Life of Christ, the New Testament and the Evangelists. 492 (4) pp. (Collation: A-Z8, a-h8). Full description >>

Related Subjects: 16th Century  Antwerp  Belgicana  Book of Hours  Plantin 

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