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). ◆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. ◆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

Wimbledon, Surrey, September 1939. 373 x 255 mm. (14 3/4 x 10"). [12] vellum leaves (seven with text and illuminations). Single column, approximately 30 lines in a fine calligraphic hand. Attractive contemporary dark blue crushed morocco, covers with gilt and blind rules, raised bands with gilt rules, gilt-ruled turn-ins, vellum pastedowns. Text in blue, black, green, and red, a few lines with larger lettering in gilt, several two-line initials in colored ink, five two-line initials in red or blue with floral decorations, opening pages with eight two-line initials in gold (the lines here of a larger size than rest of text), six three-line initials in gold filled and surrounded by floral decoration, three four- to six-line gilt initials with more intricate floral decorations, one of these with gilt stippling and two surrounded by a gilt frame, and ONE VERY LARGE (80 x 45 mm) GILT "B" decorated with stippling, filled with two-tone green leaves, pink flowers, and large gold bezants. First leaf with ink… Read More

Paris, 1896. 200 x 135 mm. (7 7/8 x 5 3/8"). [11] leaves. Single column, 16 lines plus headline in a thin, graceful italic script. Attractive red crushed morocco by Marcellin Lortic (stamp-signed on front doublure), covers framed by multiple-rule gilt strapwork, raised bands, spine compartments with gilt French fillet, gilt titling, vellum doublures with gilt frame in the Romantic style, leather hinges, vellum endleaves, all edges gilt. In matching morocco-trimmed slipcase. Title in burnished gold embellished with red and blue penwork, text with red-ruled border and burnished gold stars at corners, numerous one-line burnished gold initials with red or blue penwork, two-line opening initial in burnished gold on a blue, white, and pink background, and A HALF-PAGE MINIATURE (measuring 71 x 64 mm.) SHOWING A COURTROOM SCENE. Front free endleaf with morocco bookplate of Robert Hoe. ◆Just the slightest hint of rubbing to joints, but A VERY FINE SPECIMEN, entirely fresh, bright, and clean inside and out.… 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 or a gold cross, and ONE 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 ANIMALS, HUMAN HEADS, AND HUMAN-BEAST HYBRIDS. ◆Occasional minor smudging, vellum a little soiled and with a few small stains, (one leaf with noticeable staining affecting some of the text and decoration, but with extremely appealing imagery making up for it), another leaf with some marginal offsetting and the inhabited initial slightly rubbed,… Read More

New Rochelle, New York: Elston Press, 1902. ONE OF 160 COPIES. 240 x 165 mm. (9 1/2 x 6 3/4"). 4 p.l., 115, [2] pp. HANDSOME MOSAIC CHOCOLATE BROWN CRUSHED MOROCCO, BY "MYRIAM" [Marie de Jouvencel] (stamp-signed on front turn-in), covers with inlaid border and repeating rows of interlocking circles in green morocco, raised bands, spine compartments with inlaid light brown frame, gilt titling, stylized monogram ("E L"?) formed by gilt arrows at foot of spine, GREEN MOROCCO DOUBLURES inlaid with two brown morocco frames (lobed at head and foot) and brown morocco circlets containing a blind-tooled and inlaid brown morocco flower at each corner, green silk free endleaves, marbled flyleaves, top edge gilt, other edges untrimmed. CHARMINGLY ILLUMINATED THROUGHOUT BY RACHEL GRIBILLAC, with added double page pictorial title on front flyleaves, the decorative lettering within architectural frames with medallions at head featuring Endymion and his lover the Moon Goddess, putti on clouds at lower fore-edge… Read More

[London]: [D]esigned, written out, and illuminated by Alberto Sangorski [Colophon], 1920. 255 x 212 mm. (10 1/8 x 8 1/2"). 25, [3] pp. ELEGANT LIGHT OLIVE GREEN CRUSHED MOROCCO, GILT AND INLAID [by Riviere] for London bookseller Charles J. Sawyer (stamp-signed "Chas. J. Sawyer, Ltd., London" on front turn-in), upper cover with inlaid mahogany-brown morocco lyre at head, "strung" with gilt fillets and surrounded by dense gilt stippling, six gilt fillets emanating from the top of this ornament and curling extravagantly below it, with inlaid green morocco leaves at the tips of its extensions, and inlaid red dots accenting the perimeter, raised bands, spine compartments with gilt and inlaid leaf sprig, gilt titling, turn-ins framed with five gilt fillets, stippled and inlaid cornerpieces, ivory moiré silk doublures and endleaves. In a fine full morocco plush-lined box with raised bands and gilt titling. ILLUSTRATED THROUGHOUT, WITH EIGHT LARGE MINIATURES within extraordinarily elaborate illuminated… Read More

[England], ca. 1930. 268 x 190 mm. (10 1/2 x 7 1/2"). 31, [1] pp., [1] leaf (colophon). LOVELY ROSE-BROWN CRUSHED MOROCCO, GILT, INLAID, AND BEJEWELLED (front turn-in stamped in gilt "Made in England," but almost certainly by Sangorski & Sutcliffe), covers framed by multiple plain and dotted gilt rules, sprays of tulips at corners, central panel of upper cover with animated floral design of onlaid white morocco flowers, each set with a petite rose-cut diamond, and of onlaid lilac and green morocco thistles, all on a stippled ground, raised bands, spine compartments with spray of onlaid purple morocco berries, green morocco label, turn-ins framed with gilt ribbon roll and other decorative rolls, ivory watered silk endleaves, all edges gilt. In the original black pebble-grain morocco case, with cushioned velvet lining (upper cover detached). WITH ILLUMINATED TITLE PAGE FEATURING A VIGNETTE of the Tower of London and a border with knights on chargers, SIX ADDITIONAL VIGNETTES, AND FOUR FULL-PAGE… Read More

Sheffield, England, December 1944. 265 x 215 mm. (10 1/2 x 8 1/2"). [6] leaves illuminated on rectos, (final leaf also illuminated on verso, with colophon). VERY ATTRACTIVE DARK BLUE MOROCCO, GILT, (stamped-signed "Bound by Slinn" on front pastedown), upper cover with monogram of Edwin Goddard Stokes framed by gilt-ruled compartments containing gilt lettering, elaborate gilt foliage, and a gilt crown tool at top, the panel surrounded by a double gilt rule frame and dogtooth roll border with additional foliate tools, rear cover with quatrefoil design in floral tools and pointillé, dogtooth roll border, smooth spine with gilt-ruled compartments. In a rather worn felt-lined brown paper wallet case with handwritten titling on spine. Each recto with one or two large two- to three-line initials either painted or gilt, TITLE PAGE WITH A FULL BORDER and others with a large complex border, all of them elaborately painted with a variety of patterns, styles, motifs, and with gilt embellishments, one border… 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 fillers in pink and blue with white tracery and gold bezants, most leaves with several one-line initials (and some with one or more two-line initials) in burnished gold on dark pink and blue ground with white tracery, both sides of each leaf with a lovely panel border composed of hairline vines with gold ivy and bezants, colorful acanthus, and flowers, some with attractive vases or especially imaginative flowers. ◆A few leaves with some general light yellowing or soiling to vellum, occasional trivial spots or stains, some leaves with a thumb smudge or two to the borders, but on the whole IN VERY FINE CONDITION--clean, bright, and well preserved--and with extremely spacious margins. From a large Book of Hours probably produced in Besançon, these leaves feature very pretty panel borders with flowers and unique acanthus… Read More

Paris, ca. 1440. 222 x 162 mm. (8 3/4 x 6 3/8"). Single column, 16 lines of text, in a beautiful gothic book hand. Rubrics in red, leaves with varying numbers of line fillers and one- and two-line initials in burnished gold, blue, and magenta highlighted with white tracery, and WITH LOVELY RINCEAU BORDERS on one or both sides, these composed of delicately twining hairline stems bearing red and blue blossoms and FEATURING A PROFUSION OF BURNISHED GOLD IVY LEAVES. ◆IN OUTSTANDING CONDITION, the vellum extraordinarily bright, fresh, and clean, and WITH MARGINS AS VAST AS ONE COULD EVER HOPE FOR. Commissioned for use by a woman (as indicated by the feminine form in the "Obsecro te"), the Book of Hours from which these leaves come could only have been a manuscript of great beauty prepared for a household of very substantial wealth and importance. The level of achievement manifested here in both the scribal hand and the execution of the illuminated decoration clearly indicates that some of the best… Read More

[Chicago]: Written and Illuminated for The Renaissance Society, ca. 1915. 216 x 153 mm. (8 1/2 x 6"). [ii], 28 pp., [1] leaf (colophon). Single column, 18 lines in an attractive calligraphic hand. VERY PRETTY VIOLET CRUSHED MOROCCO, GILT AND INLAID for The Renaissance Society (stamp-signed in gilt on front doublure), smooth spine with gilt titling, FULL MOROCCO DOUBLURES consisting of a green morocco panel framed by purple morocco with gilt dots and scrolling floral motifs at each corner, each with an inlaid white morocco flower, cream-colored watered silk endleaves. In a lavender buckram chemise and matching purple morocco-backed slipcase with raised bands and gilt lettering. With many one-line initials in pink, each leaf with a different two- to four-line initial in a different style (with both painted and gilt elements, and exuberantly decorated), most leaves with a panel or "L"-shaped border ranging from simple lines to elaborate decorative bars, a few borders with small landscapes and a total… 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 TWO INHABITED BY HUMAN FACES, and 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. ◆Vellum a little soiled and with a few small stains (one leaf with more obvious soiling), varying degrees of smudging (two leaves with more noticeable smudging affecting some of the text and decoration), another leaf with two of the human heads slightly rubbed, but all other examples of marginalia very well… 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 multiple one- and/or 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, some with floral arrangements in vases, and/or especially leafy vegetation. ◆A couple leaves with a little yellowing or light soiling to vellum, occasional small stains or smudges, one leaf with a small tear just touching a couple letters, other signs of minor wear, but these issues by and large negligible, and on the whole VERY CLEAN, BRIGHT, AND WELL PRESERVED. From a large Book of Hours probably produced in Besançon, these leaves feature very pretty panel borders on every page, each with unique flourishes that… Read More

[England], 1930. 198 x 150 mm. (7 7/8 x 6"). [17] leaves. Single column, 21 lines in a small script. Quarter vellum over blue linen boards, smooth spine with gilt titling, all edges gilt. Title page with A FULL BORDER composed of line and dot rules and filled with gilt bezants, small, colorful arches, and penwork embellishment, the lower half of the page with a penwork floral spray inside a smaller border, each page of text with a simple line and dot border and a colorful head-piece featuring a different design, many with gold accents. Tissue guards between each leaf. ◆Vellum binding just slightly soiled, a hint of wear at corners, but these faults negligible, and internally like new. This charming little work appears to be a mock-up on paper for a manuscript that, presumably, would later be executed on vellum, offering an intriguing look into the artistic process of a professional illuminator and calligrapher. Although there are no notes or inscriptions in the book to confirm our hypothesis, its… Read More

Edinburgh: W. J. Hay, 1904. ONE OF 150 COPIES PRINTED (see below). 225 x 162 mm. (9 x 6 1/2"). [67] leaves, printed on recto only (without the limitations page). Pretty slate blue crushed morocco signed "L. S. - M. S. 1907" (Louise Schwamm and Morgan Stewart) on rear turn-in, covers with gilt frame of two sets of double gilt rules separated by two alternating rows of gilt dots, the corners and center of each side with a square containing a Tudor rose, a large gilt dot at each corner of the square, raised bands, spine compartments with Tudor rose framed by two gilt fillets separated by a row of dots, the dots at corners a bit larger, gilt lettering, gilt-ruled turn-ins, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Photographic reproduction of an illustrated manuscript by Phoebe Anna Traquair printed on substantial paper, EACH PAGE ELABORATELY HAND-COLORED AND ILLUMINATED BY MAUD ALMA THOMSON. Front pastedown with bookplate of Syracuse, New York, attorney Ephraim James Page (1867-1950). ◆Spine just slightly… 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 or blue 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 ANIMALS, HUMANS, AND HYBRIDS. ◆Vellum a little soiled and lightly stained and wrinkled in places, some of the gold a bit rubbed, one leaf with some noticeable smudging affecting some of the text and decoration (including the head of one of the hybrids), but the other examples of marginalia quite well preserved and still retaining much of their original charm. Though diminutive in… Read More

[Flensburg, ca. 1925]. 325 x 240 mm. (12 7/8 x 9 1/2"). 4 p.l. (first two blank), 4 leaves, 144 pp., [4] leaves (last blank). Single column, 31 lines in a fine calligraphic hand. FLAMBOYANT DEEP RED MOROCCO, ELABORATELY INLAID AND GILT, BY W. A. PETERSEN (stamp-signed on rear turn-in), covers framed by inlaid white morocco strip tooled with gilt triangles enclosing sides in a bead-and-lozenge pattern of gilt-outlined mandorlas containing a red cross on a blue background alternating with an inlaid white lozenge, upper cover with brass and enamel cornerpieces featuring the symbols of the four Evangelists, each of these set with a colored glass gem, central panel divided into four compartments, each containing a small star tool, central brass and enamel medallion with a six-pointed star emblazoned with a sun and a red enamel "Y," two straps with brass and enamel clasps marked with Alpha and Omega, lower cover with brass cornerpieces, raised bands, spine with gilt-ruled compartments, turn-ins tooled… Read More

Birmingham, 1907. 312 x 275 mm. (12 3/8 x 10 3/4"). [16] leaves, illuminated on rectos only. Pleasing original full vellum over bevelled boards, covers ruled in gilt and with gilt crosses in each corner, gilt lettering on upper cover, smooth spine, gilt rules dividing compartments with central gilt cross, thick vellum turn-ins ruled in gilt, bright purple silk endpapers (front joint very expertly repaired). Calligraphic lettering mostly in black, green, and red, a few one-line initials and many three-line initials in blue or purple with red penwork, several slightly larger purple or blue initials infilled with ivy of various colors and dotted with gold, EACH PAGE WITH A DIFFERENT ARTS & CRAFTS-INSPIRED FLORAL BORDER consisting of multi-colored blossoms and acanthus as well as meandering vine-stems, and highlighted with gold bezants or stippled gold, ONE LEAF WITH A 90 MM. INITIAL INHABITED BY A REALISTIC CATHEDRAL INTERIOR, the large lettering below it on a gold ground with etched patterns 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. 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 two two-line initials painted blue or pink and one filled an armorial shield, decorative shapes, or INHABITED BY A HUMAN HEAD, all on a gold ground, BOTH SIDES OF EACH LEAF WITH A FULL BORDER composed of pink and blue tendrils and 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. ◆Vellum a little soiled and with a couple small stains, one leaf with an area of smudging to the border and a few letters, both leaves with an area excised by a former owner (affecting marginalia and in one case the text), but these faults countered by the presence three intact and very… Read More