Illuminated Sarum Missal; Illuminated Manuscript On Parchment In Latin -

MEDIEVAL ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT WITH SKILLFULLY EXECUTED BORDER ILLUMINATIONS AND INITIALS. In Latin, illuminated manuscript on parchment, England (London), c. 1400-1425 (before 1423?). Dimensions 215 x 150 mm, 151 folios, lacking six leaves, main text written in a gothic bookhand, horizontal catchwords, prickings remain, one-line alternating red and blue initials, two-line blue initials with red penwork, EIGHTEEN LARGE ILLUMINATED INITIALS with scrolling acanthus borders. BINDING: CONTEMPORARY BINDING(?) of wooden boards, cut flush with book block, covered in white leather, added coat of arms deeply stamped in gold. TEXT: English illuminated manuscripts and English liturgical manuscripts are both increasingly uncommon the market; this is a rare opportunity to acquire a manuscript that fits both categories. Its illuminated borders, classics of their type, are skillfully executed. PROVENANCE: Based on evidence of the text, script, and illumination, the manuscript was first copied and illuminated in England, most likely London, in the early 15th century. A contemporary inscription dated 1423 on the front fly leaf localizes it to the church of St. Mary's of Wallington, leaving no reason to doubt that this Missal was copied for use at St. Mary's before 1423. Later, the manuscript belonged to Francis Walker, per his late 16th century inscriptions. The manuscript later belonged to John Gregory Mallett O.S.B. (1604-1681), chaplain at Ralph Sheldon's seat at Weston in Warwickshire from 1653 until his death. Then, it belonged to Ralph Sheldon (1623-1684), his coat of arms on the binding. Later, the manuscript belonged to Matthew Holbeche Bloxam (1805-1888), of Rugby, England, an accomplished antiquarian and architectural historian. He then gifted the manuscript to the Rugby School Library in 1888; inscription on inside front cover, "Rugby School Library the gift of Matt. H. Bloxam, January, 1888." CONDITION: some water damage, minor soiling, initial on f. 47 excised, initials occasionally smudged, "papa"(pope) erased throughout, front flyleaves and upper and lower boards of binding detached, leather peeling from spine, rubbed and stained. Full description and images available. (TM 1016)