Accession number
MS M.1241
Object title
Primer (fragment) (MS M.1241).
Created
Belgium, probably Ghent or Tournai, ca. 1460s
Binding
Reddish-brown morocco with marbled pastedowns and spine-title "Illuminations" in gilt captials, by George Bretherton, with his ticket "Bretherton ligavit, 1848."
Credit line
Purchased as the gift of Virginia M. Schirrmeister and the Driver Family Foundation, 2023.
Description
4 folios : vellum ; 175 x 130 mm
Provenance
Made for the young woman who appears in the book's two miniatures; reduced to eight leaves with four miniatures and a Nativity miniature from another manuscript inserted on a separate leaf, acquired by Sir Thomas Phillipps (1792-1872) in or before 1848 (binding by Phillipps' printer and binder Bretherton, who left his employer in 1851), inscribed "MHC" (Middle Hill Catalogue) on the final flyleaf, his MS 18276 (paper label on spine); London, Sotheby's 1 December 1947 (a Phillipps sale), lot 76; unidentified English bookseller, final flyleaf inscribed "Each miniature £55/-", who probably removed four leaves with two miniatures (subjects unknown), as well as the inserted Nativity miniature; London, Christie's, 12 July 2023, lot 18 (bought by the Morgan).
Notes
Although surviving in only four leaves, this is a very rare fragment of a primer, a book used to teach children how to read and to learn their basic catechism.
Collation: I (2), II (2)
Contents: 1r-1v (previously 11r-11v): "Benedicite Dominus nos... et Spiritus Sancti. Amen." Grace before Meals; 2r (previously 12): "[...]et calicis mei... hereditatem meam michi." Excerpt of Psalm 15:5 that concludes "Ave salus mundi"; 2v (previously 12v): blank; 3r (previously 4r): "Anime omnium[m]... Amen." prayer for the dead that concludes Grace after Meals; 3v (previously 4v): "Ave salus mundi verbum[...] start of a Eucharistic prayer said at the Elevation of the Mass; 4r-4v (previously 9): "[...]consensu risu visu... Amen." conclusion of an Act of Confession.
Decoration: 2 large miniatures with four-sided foliate gilt borders; 5 additional foliate gilt borders on the text pages.
Illustrations: Fol. 1: Young woman at table assisted by two servants; fol. 3v: Young woman at Mass, attended by a servant, witnessing the Elevation.
Artist: Master of the Ghent Gradual, active 1460-1477.
This Primer relates to others in the collection, e.g., MS M.487 and MS M.50. As in the latter, which has a portrait of the dauphin Charles-Orland shown at an age older than when he was actually using his prayer book, the portraits of the girl for whom this book was commissioned make her appear older than she would have been when actually learning from her book.
Collation: I (2), II (2)
Contents: 1r-1v (previously 11r-11v): "Benedicite Dominus nos... et Spiritus Sancti. Amen." Grace before Meals; 2r (previously 12): "[...]et calicis mei... hereditatem meam michi." Excerpt of Psalm 15:5 that concludes "Ave salus mundi"; 2v (previously 12v): blank; 3r (previously 4r): "Anime omnium[m]... Amen." prayer for the dead that concludes Grace after Meals; 3v (previously 4v): "Ave salus mundi verbum[...] start of a Eucharistic prayer said at the Elevation of the Mass; 4r-4v (previously 9): "[...]consensu risu visu... Amen." conclusion of an Act of Confession.
Decoration: 2 large miniatures with four-sided foliate gilt borders; 5 additional foliate gilt borders on the text pages.
Illustrations: Fol. 1: Young woman at table assisted by two servants; fol. 3v: Young woman at Mass, attended by a servant, witnessing the Elevation.
Artist: Master of the Ghent Gradual, active 1460-1477.
This Primer relates to others in the collection, e.g., MS M.487 and MS M.50. As in the latter, which has a portrait of the dauphin Charles-Orland shown at an age older than when he was actually using his prayer book, the portraits of the girl for whom this book was commissioned make her appear older than she would have been when actually learning from her book.
Script
Gothic book-hand
Language
Latin
Century
Catalog link
Classification
Department