Lot 2217
Church Song Book in Latin, probably Spanish, c. 17th century. Approximately 130 vellum leaves, comprising 261 pages, plus single blank end pages, bound within volume of thick board covers, also vellum covered. Front and back covers set with five symmetrically arranged brass bosses, which act both as protectors for the covers, and legs to raise the volume away from a table's surface. The binding looks to be early or mid 18th century.
Pages with hand-inked music scales and notes in black and red, the notes shown as square or rectangular marks. Below the notes, the accompanying Latin text. Many of the initial capital letters very ornate, with some quite large and richly floriated in calligraphic arabesques. Inner cover of book with song index, handwritten in neat script, and added probably in the early 19th century, along with the numbering of the upper corners of the pages. A few pages with added contemporary notations, or additional verses. Volume in medium folio size: 16-1/2" x 11-1/2", but pages, before being rebound were likely elephant folio size.
Book appears complete, although leaves separated from front cover. Volume well handled, the vellum binding having patinated to a dark tan-brown. Corners and edges rubbed or a bit tattered. The first few pages appear to have gotten damp. Rest range, again, from being well handled to virtually pristine. A large and colorful volume, rare to see intact these days since pages of this sort are typically taken out and sold singly. This would be a prize for the music historian, or any lover of "ancient" music.
Estimated Value $1,250 - 1,500.
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| Realized $719 |
