Beschreibung:

Private devotional book, in German, illuminated manuscript with early paper engravings, on vellum [Germany (most probably Nuremberg), 1584] 58 leaves (plus 2 original vellum endleaves), 142mm. by 90mm., complete, collation: i-iii2, iv6, v2, vi-xiii4, xiv-xv6, c.34 lines in black ink in an angular German Renaissance bookhand, set within printed frames of scrolls of architecture and foliage (contemporary colouration and gilding), rubrics in red or liquid gold, titles and some initials in liquid gold, first six leaves with brilliantly coloured engravings of the Evangelists, God the Father surrounded by animals and holding a gold-framed roundel with a micrographic German manuscript text inside, 4 further pages with similar smaller texts within roundels in engravings, and 2 further pages with Moses holding the Ten Commandments atop 5 similar roundels forming a cross, and a German prayer written in a decreasing circle, sixty-two contemporary coloured engravings showing Christ, the Annunciation to the Virgin and smaller scenes from the life of Christ, slight scuffs throughout, else good condition, contemporary panel-stamped pigskin binding over bevelled wooden boards, with Justice holding a sword and scales on front cover within a border of roundels containing human faces, and the arms of Erecher family of Brandenburg within similar roundels on back cover, skilfully rebacked, two working metal clasps