Search Results: Authors starting with I from Phillip J. Pirages Fine Books and Medieval Manuscripts

New York: John W. Lovell & Co, 1891. FIRST AMERICAN PRINTING. No. 49 OF 100 COPIES of the Large Paper Edition. 210 x 165 mm. (8 1/4 x 6 1/2"). xv, 236 pp.Translated from the Norwegian by Edmund Gosse. Contemporary chocolate brown three-quarter morocco over marbled boards, raised bands, spine gilt in compartments with lily-of-the-valley sprig at center, volute cornerpieces, gilt titling, top edge gilt, other edges untrimmed. With frontispiece photogravure portrait of Ibsen, and two photo-mezzo-type pictures of actresses Miss Robins and Miss Lea in their roles in the London production. Front pastedown with bookplate of Henry Horner; front free endpaper with small gift inscription in green ink, dated 1923. PMM 375 (Norwegian Edition). â—†A VERY FINE COPY, with just a small, isolated dent to fore-edge of upper board; the contents extremely clean and fresh. This is a limited, Large Paper Copy of Ibsen's most famous play, very rare both institutionally and in commerce, with visually pleasing wide… Read More

[Rome], 2 December 1210. 206 x 293 mm. (8 1/8 x 11 1/2"). 12 lines in a papal documentary script. Attractively framed. Lead bulla suspended on silk threads. â—†Very light rubbing to ink in places, one horizontal and three vertical creases (each with a tiny hole where the folds meet), lead seal showing a bit of wear around edges and to protuberances of the faces, but these faults all quite minor, and on the whole an excellent specimen. Beautifully preserved and with the original lead bulla still attached, this document, issued by one of the most powerful popes of the Middle Ages, resolves a dispute between the monastery attached to the Lateran Palace and the priory of Santi Quattro Coronati (Four Holy Martyrs). The two groups seem to have been in conflict over their respective parish boundaries and the inclusion or exclusion of certain churches (and therefore the tithes and legal dues stemming from those churches) within their particular networks of influence. According to this bull, the cardinal… Read More

Northeastern France, probably Arras, late 15th century. 146 x 95 mm. (5 3/4 x 3 3/4"). Single column, 15 lines in a pleasing bâtarde hand. Rubrics in red, one- and two-line initials in brushed gold on a red or blue ground, EACH SIDE OF EACH LEAF WITH A BRUSHED GOLD PANEL BORDER, WITH VERY PRETTY ILLUSIONISTIC FLOWERS, and one panel with acanthus apparently unfinished; EACH LEAF WITH ONE SMALL MINIATURE (measuring approximately 40 x 25 mm.) DEPICTING SAINTS. Headlines written in French in a later (18th century?) calligraphic hand. â—†Light soiling, otherwise excellent specimens, generally clean and smooth, with ample margins and attractive decoration. From a charmingly decorated 15th century prayer book, these lovely leaves offer the opportunity to acquire a miniature andconsiderable gold ornamentation at an attainable price. One leaf depicts Sts. Peter and Paul in a single frame, and the other shows St. Vedast (or Waast)--a saint that was particularly venerated in France, especially in the Arras… Read More

Northeastern France, probably Arras, late 15th century. 146 x 95 mm. (5 3/4 x 3 3/4"). Single column, 15 lines in a pleasing bâtarde hand. Rubrics in red, one- and two-line initials in brushed gold on a red or blue ground, EACH SIDE OF EACH LEAF WITH A BRUSHED GOLD PANEL BORDER, WITH VERY PRETTY ILLUSIONISTIC FLOWERS; EACH LEAF WITH TWO SMALL MINIATURES (measuring approximately 40 x 25 mm.) depicting saints shown with their attributes. Headlines written in French in a later (18th century?) calligraphic hand. â—†Light soiling, rubrics faded, otherwise excellent specimens, generally clean and smooth, with ample margins, attractive decoration, and shining gold. From a charmingly decorated 15th century prayer book, these lovely leaves offer the opportunity to acquire a miniature and considerable gold ornamentation at an attainable price. One leaf depicts St. Andrew (holding an "X" shaped cross) and St. Etienne (i.e. St. Stephen, here shown with three stones on his body), and the other shows St.… Read More

Northern France [probably Paris], ca. 1460s. 130 x 98 mm. (5 1/8 x 3 7/8"). Single column, recto with 18 lines of text in a very fine gothic book hand. Text in red, blue, and gold, "KL" in blue with white tracery and on a burnished gold ground and infilled with ivy leaves in blue, orange, and white, BOTH SIDES WITH A PANEL BORDER, EACH WITH A ROUNDEL DEPICTING THE ZODIAC SIGN AND LABOR OF THE MONTH, placed amidst a tangle of acanthus leaves in blue, red, and brushed gold. â—†Recto with a little general soiling, the roundel lightly abraided, and a noticeable smudge to the top of the panel border, but the verso quite clean with just a little discoloration to margins and the "KL" offset from facing page, the roundel on this side in excellent condition with just one or two very small scratches. This leaf comes from a large fragment of a beautifully executed little Book of Hours done by very sophisticated artists whose illumination in general--and zoomorphic inhabitation in particular--is extremely… Read More

France, first half of 14th century. 110 x 82 mm. (4 3/8 x 3 1/4"). Single column, 12 lines in a gothic book hand. Rubrics in red, line enders in pink and blue with gold accents, each leaf with one or more one-line initials in blue with red penwork or gold with blue penwork, each leaf with one two-line initial painted pink or blue, four of these INHABITED BY A HUMAN FACE, and the other with decorative vines, all on a gold ground, one side of each leaf with A FULL BORDER composed of pink and blue tendrils accompanied by spikey gold decoration and gold accents, often terminating in ivy leaves, and incorporating EXTRAORDINARILY CHARMING EXAMPLES OF MARGINALIA, INCLUDING BEASTS, HUMANS ENGAGED IN VARIOUS ACTIVITIES, AND HUMAN-BEAST HYBRIDS. â—†Vellum a little soiled, a few leaves with small stains (one touching text but not obscuring meaning), a few instances of light rubbing or chipping to decoration and marginalia, but on the whole these condition issues minor, and the leaves very well preserved WITH… Read More

France, first half of 14th century. 110 x 82 mm. (4 3/8 x 3 1/4"). Single column, 12 lines in a gothic book hand. Rubrics in red, line enders in pink and blue with gold accents, each leaf with one or more one-line initials in blue with red penwork or gold with blue penwork, some leaves with one two-line initial painted blue, filled with either decorative shapes or INHABITED BY A HUMAN HEAD, all on a gold ground, one side of each leaf WITH A FULL BORDER composed of pink and blue tendrils accompanied by spikey gold decoration and gold accents, often terminating in ivy leaves, and incorporating EXTRAORDINARILY CHARMING EXAMPLES OF MARGINALIA, INCLUDING ANIMALS, HUMANS, AND HYBRIDS. â—†Vellum slightly soiled and with a few minor imperfections, one leaf with a little offsetting in one corner, each leaf with a small area excised by a former owner (affecting marginalia and a few words of text), but each leaf with at least two fully intact examples of marginalia, and on the whole the leaves quite clean, the… Read More

France (probably Besançon), 3rd quarter of 15th century. 239 x 165 mm. (9 3/8 x 6 1/2"). Single column, 15 lines in an elegant gothic book hand. Rubrics in dark pink, two leaves with no textual decoration, the other leaf with line enders in pink and blue with white tracery and gold bezant, and one-line initials painted gold on pink and gold ground with white tracery, each side of each leaf with a lovely panel border decorated with hairline vines, gold bezants and ivy, colorful flowers and acanthus, and particularly fleshy looking vegetation, each with a large yellow or blue flower and two round buds. â—†A few trivial marginal spots and other minor signs of wear, but IN FINE CONDITION, each specimen clean, bright, and fresh. From a large Book of Hours probably produced in Besançon, these leaves feature very pretty panel borders on every page, each containing an unusual and eye-catching plant with fleshy leaves, a large central flower, and two round buds. Luxurious touches such as gilt initials,… Read More

France (probably Besançon), 3rd quarter of 15th century. 239 x 165 mm. (9 3/8 x 6 1/2"). Single column, 15 lines in an elegant gothic book hand. Rubrics in dark pink, line enders in pink and blue with white tracery and gold bezant, each leaf with a three- or four-line initial painted pink or blue with white tracery, filled with pink and blue vines and flowers, all on a burnished gold ground, ONE SIDE OF EACH LEAF WITH A HALF OR THREE-QUARTER BORDER featuring hairline vines, gold ivy and bezants, colorful acanthus, various flowers, fleshy plants, and vases with floral arrangements, the other side of each leaf with a panel border, similarly decorated. â—†Vellum slightly yellowed, minor smudging to hairline vines and slight rubbing to paint on a few of the border decorations, one leaf with some small stains in the border (largely masked by the hairline vines), but these issues quite minor, and the leaves IN FINE CONDITION overall--very clean, bright, and well-preserved. From a large Book of Hours… Read More

France (probably Besançon), 3rd quarter of 15th century. 239 x 165 mm. (9 3/8 x 6 1/2"). Single column, 15 lines in an elegant gothic book hand. Rubrics in dark pink, line enders in pink and blue with white tracery and gold bezant, each with several one-line initials and one or more two-line initials in burnished gold on dark pink and blue ground with white tracery, each side of each leaf with a lovely panel border composed of hairline vines with gold ivy and bezants, and colorful flowers and acanthus. â—†A few leaves with a little yellowing to vellum, small smudges in the borders, or chips to gold and paint, occasional minor marginal spots or stains, corner of one leaf torn, but these issues by and large negligible, and on the whole fresh, bright, and in excellent condition. From a large Book of Hours probably produced in Besançon, these leaves feature very pretty panel borders with colorful flowers and unique acanthus flourishes on every page, each in an attractive formation. Luxurious touches… Read More

France, first half of 14th century. 110 x 82 mm. (4 3/8 x 3 1/4"). Single column, 12 lines in a gothic book hand. Line enders in pink and blue with gold accents, each leaf with one or more one-line initials in blue with red penwork or gold with blue penwork, one leaf with a two line initial painted blue and filled with a coat of arms, all on a gold or blue ground, one side of each leaf with A FULL OR NEAR-FULL BORDER composed of pink and blue tendrils accompanied by spikey gold decoration and gold accents, often terminating in ivy leaves, and incorporating EXTRAORDINARILY CHARMING EXAMPLES OF MARGINALIA, INCLUDING ANIMALS, HUMANS, AND HYBRIDS. â—†Vellum a little soiled and lightly stained in places, both leaves with some noticeable rubbing (one leaf with a piece of marginalia partially rubbed, the other with fore margin decoration wiped away), but each with two excellent examples of the marginalia intact and still very well preserved. Though diminutive in size, these leaves contain enormously… Read More

France, first half of 14th century. 110 x 82 mm. (4 3/8 x 3 1/4"). Single column, 12 lines in a gothic book hand. Line enders in pink and blue with gold accents, each leaf with one or more one-line initials in blue with red penwork or gold with blue penwork, each leaf with one two line initial painted pink or blue, ONE INHABITED BY HUMAN FACE, others filled with painted floral motifs, all on a gold ground, one side of each leaf with A FULL BORDER composed of pink and blue tendrils accompanied by spikey gold decoration and gold accents, often terminating in ivy leaves, and incorporating EXTRAORDINARILY CHARMING EXAMPLES OF MARGINALIA, INCLUDING ANIMALS, HUMAN HEADS, AND HUMAN-BEAST HYBRIDS. â—†Vellum with a little soiling and a few small stains (slightly more noticeable on one leaf where it is touching the text, though not obscuring meaning), a few instances of rubbing to gold and decoration (including one bird with its detailing rubbed away), other minor imperfections, but none of these flaws… Read More

France, First half of 14th century. 110 x 82 mm. (4 3/8 x 3 1/4"). Single column, 12 lines in a gothic book hand. Line enders in pink and blue with gold accents, each leaf with one or more one-line initials in blue with red penwork or gold with blue penwork, each leaf with one two line initial painted pink or blue, filled with painted floral motifs, and on a gold ground, one side of each leaf with A NEAR-FULL BORDER composed of pink and blue tendrils accompanied by spikey gold decoration and gold accents, often terminating in ivy leaves, and incorporating EXTRAORDINARILY CHARMING EXAMPLES OF MARGINALIA, INCLUDING HUMAN-BEAST HYBRIDS. â—†Vellum a little soiled and with a few small stains, one leaf with more noticeable smudging affecting some of the text and decoration, another leaf with one of the heads a little rubbed, but all other examples of marginalia very well preserved. Though diminutive in size, these leaves contain enormously appealing marginal decoration in the form of humans, animals, and… Read More

France, first half of 14th century. 110 x 82 mm. (4 3/8 x 3 1/4"). Single column, 12 lines in a gothic book hand. One of these leaves beautifully framed. Rubrics in red, line enders in pink and blue with gold accents, each leaf with one or more one-line initials in blue with red penwork or gold with blue penwork, some leaves with one two-line initial painted pink, blue, and/or orange and INHABITED BY HUMAN FACE, all on a gold ground, one side of each leaf with A FULL BORDER composed of pink and blue tendrils accompanied by spikey gold decoration and gold accents, often terminating in ivy leaves, and incorporating EXTRAORDINARILY CHARMING EXAMPLES OF MARGINALIA, INCLUDING BEASTS AND HUMAN-BEAST HYBRIDS. â—†One framed leaf with a one to two inch closed tear just touching one of the marginalia (but well masked in its frame), one leaf with a little slight staining in one margin, very light rubbing or smudging in a couple of places, but still excellent specimens, THE MARGINALIA BEAUTIFULLY PRESERVED.… Read More

London: Illuminated and published by A. Prichard Harrison and Son, [1844]. FIRST EDITION. 284 x 225 mm. (11 1/8 x 8 3/4"). [17] printed leaves preceded by [3] leaves and followed by [44] leaves of illuminated manuscript. Handsome contemporary crimson straight grain morocco by C. Cross, Binder to the Queen (stamp-signed on verso of front free endpaper), covers with gilt French fillet border, raised bands flanked by multiple plain gilt rules, spine with gilt titling, turn-ins densely gilt, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. With illuminated gouache title page and dedication, EIGHT FULL-PAGE GOUACHE ILLUSTRATIONS (including a dramatic depiction of St. George slaying the dragon), AND 37 LEAVES EMBLAZONED WITH 726 COATS OF ARMS, ALL OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS DONE BY HAND AND HEIGHTENED WITH GOLD. Front pastedown with engraved armorial bookplate of Henry Drummond, and with a manuscript letter to Drummond from A. P. Harrison postmarked 1844 tipped in at front. â—†A few very faint scratches on back cover, the… Read More

[s.l., mid-20th century?]. 260 x 183 mm. (10 3/8 x 7 1/4"). [21] leaves. Single column, 24 lines in a fine calligraphic hand. Olive patterned paper boards, smooth spine, red morocco label. Half titles in blue, opening lines of each section in gold, with several two-line initials in red, blue, or gold, and three historiated initials depicting the head of a Native American in a colorful headdress; a teepee; and a landscape scene. Front pastedown with book label of John Gadd. â—†Binding with mild shelf wear, spine lightly toned, minor offsetting from gilt initials, very faint ink spotting on blank areas opposite text, a couple trivial marginal spots or smudges elsewhere, but these faults all quite negligible, and the work as a whole IN VERY FINE CONDITION--bright, clean, and fresh throughout. This is an engaging and beautifully executed manuscript featuring a clear, regular hand and charming illuminated initials with imagery inspired by "The Song of Hiawatha." Although the work is not signed and… Read More

Northern England, ca. 1260-70. 235 x 165 mm. (9 1/4 x 6 1/2"). Single column, 21 lines in an elegant gothic book hand. Each leaf with versal initials in blue or gold (one leaf with decorative red and blue penwork), many decorative line-enders in red, blue, or gold, EACH LEAF WITH ONE OR TWO HANDSOME THREE-LINE INITIALS IN ONE OF TWO STYLES: in burnished gold on a blue and pink ground with white tracery or in burnished gold with blue penwork and red dots. â—†Trivial imperfections, but IN VERY FINE CONDITION, the paint and ink very well preserved on smooth, clean vellum. These beautifully decorated leaves feature a confident hand in a pleasing gothic script, impressive initials in three different styles, and the liberal use of a variety of line fillers, including those with complex patterns of burnished gold. The parent manuscript, which contained four very large initials and 41 smaller initials (including 15 with an animal) was offered by Les Enluminures in conjunction with Bruce Ferrini in their… Read More

[Gütersloh/Munich]: Coron Exclusiv Facsimile Publishing, [2007]. No. 66 OF 980 COPIES. 197 x 140 mm. (7 3/4 x 5 1/2"). 235 leaves. Without the commentary volume in German.. Publisher's replica calf, covers richly decorated in gold in a Renaissance strapwork and foliate style, raised bands, spine panels gilt with central trefoil, all edges gilt. Housed in the original very attractive brown leather jewel case with a gilt and enamel crest on upper lid. LAVISHLY ILLUMINATED with more than 1,200 one- or two-line initials in colors and gold; with dozens of leaves featuring panel borders of swirling blue and gold acanthus leaves and multi-colored flowers and berries; with calendar leaves highlighted by full floral borders, the rectos with a small arch-topped miniature of the labor of the month, the versos with the zodiacal sign; and with 17 FULL-PAGE MINIATURES ACCOMPANIED BY FULL BORDERS of foliage and flowers inhabited by insects, snails, dogs, unicorns, and grotesques. â—†In mint condition. This is a… Read More

Preston, Lancashire, England, September 1945. 260 x 218 mm. (10 1/4 x 8 1/2"). [9] leaves (illumination on rectos only). VERY ATTRACTIVE PRUSSIAN BLUE MOROCCO, GILT, BY SLINN (stamp-signed in gilt on upper cover), expertly rebacked to style, upper cover with central panel containing two red morocco onlays with gilt lettering over green morocco onlays with gilt vines and flowers, the center with a burgundy only containing the initials "EGS," all this surrounded by a thick frame of dark blue morocco with gilt vines, each corner with a square of burgundy morocco with gilt quatrefoil and leaves, multiple gilt rules and decorative rolls, lower cover with a gilt medallion at the center decorated with flowers and leaves, a simple blind-tooled frame and gilt ruled border with foliate decoration, smooth spine with gilt head and tail, gilt-tooled turn-ins, muslin hinges (added later as reinforcement?). Housed in the original (soiled and frayed) blue cloth portfolio. Lettering primarily in black and… Read More

Nuremberg, 1624. 125 x 90 mm. (4 7/8 x 3 1/2"). [106] leaves (54 with manuscript and 52 blank) and two double-page illustrations. Double column, 43 lines, in a tiny fraktur hand. Pleasing contemporary black shagreen (front joint expertly repaired), covers with central gold metal medallion, upper cover etched with the image of King David playing the harp, lower cover with an armorial crest and the letters "P E," each medallion mounted in a gilt silver setting, gilt silver cornerpieces, catchplates, and clasps, each clasp and cornerpiece with a small face and pair of wings, raised bands. Housed in a modern linen clamshell box with felt lining. Rubrics in red, PSALM NUMBERS IN THICK GOLD, CAPITALS STRUCK WITH GOLD THROUGHOUT, EACH PAGE WITH A FULL BORDER of penwork designs in red and blue and ruled in gold throughout, a running title in blue, title page with lettering in stylized cartouches lined with brown and gold on a dark blue ground with faint filigree pattern, THE SECOND LEAF WITH A FULL-PAGE INK… Read More