This leaf is from the brief transitional period when the new technology of printing with movable type was combined with the more labor intensive methods of hand painting. The earliest printers were trained in the manuscript tradition and incorporated the conventions of historiated initials and illustrations into their early work. At first they left those spaces blank for the illuminator to complete entirely by hand. Later they developed printing methods (using woodcuts or iron engravings) to decorate the leaves.

Unusual leaf printed on paper in Gothic textura type with illuminated capitals in red and blue. The text is surrounded by elaborate iron engravings. These leaves are from the transitional period when the new technology of printing with movable type was combined with the more labor intensive methods of hand painting. Printed Book of Hours leaves are very scarce, as they were only produced between 1496 and 1530. Although the main text on this leaf is in Latin, it includes four engravings with French captions. The text on recto includes the prayer Salve Sancta Facies Nostri Redemptoris (Hail, O holy face of our redeemer), which promised admission to heaven at the end of time.

References:

Condition: B+

Marginal foxing with a small dampstain at top left.