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[Poyer, John (of Tours)].
Hours of Henry VIII [boxed facsimile edition].
Publisher: M. Editor, Barcelona [Tours];
Date of Publication: 2015
Stock Code: 10109
Limited edition of a ‘single and unrepeatable’ 987 copies, of which this is number 570. Small quarto, 205 folios, including 55 full page illuminations. Decorative initial letters, borders and panels in full colour, highlighted in gilt. Notarised limitation leaf mounted to end. Rich deep red velvet binding reproducing the eighteenth-century binding of the original volume, two cherubiform metal clasps bearing Henry VIII’s coat of arms to catches, hinged to upper board in English style; all edges gilt; gilt brocade end-papers. Housed in full crimson morocco-grain leather clam-shell box, elaborately gilt to spine and boards. A fine copy in like box. A superbly produced facsimile after the original masterwork by Jean Poyer of Tours (1483-1503) (now Morgan MS H.8). The manuscript was acquired by the Morgan in 1977. The library has since commissioned two facsimiles: a 2001 printed edition, and this version. This volume faithfully reproduces the rich Fransican Gospel Lessons, Hours of the Virgin, Hours of the Cross, Hours of the Holy Spirit, Penitential Psalms with Litany, Office of the Dead, Suffrages and accessory leaves of the original. The final blank leaf includes a note with the (likely apocryphal) claim from former owner George Wade (1673-1748) that the volume was a gift to Henry VIII from Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.
A luxurious reproduction from a celebrated facsimilist, who prefers the term ‘quasi-original’, to reflect the painstaking artisanal work involved in producing ‘clones’ of medieval and Renaissance masterpieces. Molerio attempts to replicate exactly the texture, smell, thickness, and paper or vellum density of the originals, the gilt used, and the thread in the bindings.
Heavyweight, so an additional postage contribution may be requested for shipping to overseas addresses. £1500.00