Prague Missal, 1498

Missale Pragense.

Lepizig, Conrad Kachelofen, July 24, 1498. Folio. 35,5 x 25 cms. 344 leaves (of 355). Lacks ff. M3 and M6, Canon of the Mass, and final blank in the second last section.

Printed in red & black throughout, woodcuts on title and verso of title handcoloured (i.a. full-page depiction of the four saints of Prague), two beautiful 6-line initials (on A1 and a1) in green and grey on a gold ground, other large initials in red and blue. Worn contemporary leather over wooden boards, front cover lettered ”Missale” at top, manuscript fragments in binding, without bosses and clasps, rebacked.

Traces of index tabs on several leaves; half of leaf v4 lacking (replaced with ruled paper), y1-2 bound out of order, Q5-6 and y2-y4 with some paper loss at foot and loss of text replaced in manuscript, title somewhat soiled, torn and repaired at edges; some marginal tears, marginal and corner repairs (some rather crude), finger soiling and occasional worming in lower margin. A charming copy, worn from use and mended for continued service.

Provenance: Hauswedell & Nolte (Hamburg), May 10, 1978.

Very rare, ISTC im00686000 records only 10 copies and fragments.

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