Original leaf from a manuscript Book of Hours. 17 lines of red ruled text written in Latin on animal vellum. (184 x 135mm – 7 1/8 X 5 1/4’’)
Eastern France (possibly Besancon), c. 1425-50
This leaf is the liturgical calendar for the month of August. Major feast days are in red (origin of term ‘red-letter day’). Large “KL” initials (for KALENDS) are in burnished gold on a pink and blue ground with delicate white penwork.
Among the feasts listed are St. Peter the Apostle (1st – Patron Saint of Fisherman), St. Dominic (5th - Patron saint of astronomers), St. Lawrence (10th – Schoolchildren and Librarians), St. Bartholomew (24th – Patron Saint of Winegrowers, Salt and Cheese). St. Augustine of Hippo (28th – Patron Saint of Theologians) and St. John the Baptist (29th).
Left of the saints’ days are repeating letters A - G called Dominical Letters since they help find Sundays. Far left is a column of Roman numerals i - xix called Golden Numbers to indicate appearances of new moons, & counting ahead 14 days, full moons throughout the year (year + 1; divide by 19; remainder is Golden Number - if zero GN = 19). Finally: each month had 3 fixed points: Kalends (1st day) Ides (middle) & Nones (9th day before Ides). All days in between were counted backwards from these points.
Condition note: Irregular blank margin at lower left, some cockling and vestiges of previous mounting.
Shipped unmatted
