One of the earliest editions of this popular French devotional work explaining the celebration of the Holy Mass through text and image, beautifully bound by the Brussels bookbinder Charles de Samblanx (1855-1943). The work is entirely engraved, comprising 35 full-page plates depicting the priest celebrating the Mass, each facing an engraved text page with the corresponding prayer. The captions above and below the illustrations relate the liturgical actions to episodes from the Passion of Christ and are intended to guide the reader in meditation during the service.
Although all editions of the work are undated, the present copy belongs to one of the earlier issues, as it was published by the Paris engraver and print dealer Pierre Landry (1630-1701). Landry specialised in devotional prints and large-format engravings intended as affordable alternatives to painted altarpieces. The Passion scenes incorporated throughout the Sainte Messe may well reflect this aspect of his production. After Landry's death, the work continued to be reissued by his daughter Gabrielle Landry and subsequently by her husband, François Jouenne, who was still publishing editions from the original plates in 1740.
Signed and dated in gold by the bookbinder (Charles de Samblanx, 1918) at the bottom of the front doublure. The joints are slightly weakened. The leaves are lightly browned. Otherwise in very good condition. Benezit, V, 389; this issue not in the USTC; WorldCat.