773J Messe, e Vespri

MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM.

[FIFTEENTH CENTURY]

Missal and Vespers . 

This is the second volume of a probably three or four volume Graduale Romanum Part II is in this case is the Antiphonale Missarum (begining folio CLXXXI) consisting of the or the music for the Mass and Vespers.

This is a Large quarto; 37 x 25 cm. [15¾  x 10 inches.]  132 leaves, There is a manuscript singleton between the Table on paper and the beginning of the text proper.

This small antiphonal was made in Italy in the later fifteenth century. The text begins with the “In Natiuirate Dominion P:a Missa.” the first four gatherings are made up of 10 leaves, with vertical catch word, followed a gathering of 6 followed by six more gatherings of 10 and then one gathering of 6 then one of 7, none signed but with contemporary numbering in a fifteenth century hand.  This volume begins with folio CLXXXI There are no lacuna nor gaps in numbering of text leaves, Including one inter textual blank except for the foliation number º CCXXXIIIIº through to CCXCVIII.  Assigned signatures: a-d10e6f-l10m6n7.  This complete section does exhibit signs of long continuous use. There are word and phrase changes as well as early repairs, a much later index /table on paper bound before the text.         

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This Blank leaf, preservers the structure of a 10 leaf gathering as well as maintaining the  Rule of Gregory, which has with hair-side facing hair-side and flesh-side facing flesh-side, giving a consistent color and texture across each opening. (this image shows the flesh sides, you can also see that the flesh side is paler than the hair side which is yellowish common is sheep skins, where as Goat skin is mostly yellow on both sides.

This manuscript is bound in an original binding of wooden boards covered in blind stamped calf leather, at some time early on it was rebacked (perhaps when separated from the first section) with a centerpiece in brass, and with chased corner bosses in brass; with clasps in leather and brass, one of which is detached but present. The nature of the clasps attaching in the back of the book suggesting that the binding is also Italian.

On the front inside pastedown is a description of this book from a 1902 Caxton Head Catalogue by James Tregaskis 

nb * 8 guineas in 1902 <>

 The leaves lined in red, notated and lettered on the rectos and the versos;

There is a manuscript index leaf at the front, “Tavola di Messe, e Vespri del Libro Piccolo”.

There is a beautiful 4 inch initial on leaf 67 (g2– CCVI)

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There is a small light guide letter ‘g’ in the margin!

Yellowish hair side of the folio.

A later comment added . Also note the vertical catch word.

Exmples of over writing and additions.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Brown, Michelle P., Understanding Illuminated Manuscripts: A Guide to Technical Terms, J. Paul Getty and The British Library Board: Los Angeles, 1994, pp. 95, 56, 65.

Clarkson, Christopher, ‘Rediscovering Parchment: The Nature of the Beast’, in Conservation and Preservation in Small Libraries, ed. by Nicholas Hadgraft and Katherine Swift (Cambridge: Parker Library, 1994), pp. 75-96

Clemens, Raymond and Timothy Graham. Introduction to Manuscript Studies. New York: Cornell University Press, 2007.

Reed, R., Ancient Skins, Parchment and Leathers (London: Academic, 1973)