Italian Renaissance Manuscripts and Miniatures from Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books

In the past 20 years I've reviewed over 2,000 dealer catalogues, but I don't recall ever seeing one like this before. This could be a coffee table book were it not for the detailed text. The color images, and it is filled with them, are beautiful. That is because the manuscripts they were taken from are beautiful. Copious images complemented by thorough, detailed descriptions are offered. It is an education. The catalogue itself is over a foot tall, contains 250+ pages, and weighs four pounds. Like the items offered inside, this catalogue will be a collector's item. No one will be tossing out this catalogue after the orders have been placed.

The creator of this magnificent book is Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books of Switzerland. The title is Glory of the Renaissance, Italian Manuscripts and Miniatures. Renaissance manuscripts, naturally, are very old. These date from around 1250 to the early 1500s. Everything is at least 500 years old. Condition is exceptional. They may not make things like they used to today, but they did 500 years ago. These manuscripts do not look their age. Since they were not producing items in large quantities, the artists could allocate the time and effort to the detailed illustrations and skilled calligraphy. They did their jobs well.

Two types of items are offered in this catalogue. First there are the full manuscripts. Then, there are the “miniatures.” These are individual illustrations or pages from a larger manuscript. Next, we will look inside for a few examples of what can be found.

We begin with Biblia Latina. This is a biblical manuscript in Latin on vellum created in Bologna c. 1250-1275. It contains 80 large decorated initials and 72 historiated initials (initials which include a scene within them). It is believed to have been created in a Dominican monastery, with several hands involved in the production. However, it was not completed at that time. It also contains some “recent” additions, c. 1450. That includes 9 of the large initials and one of the historiated initials. There are also some annotations in the margins. The later illustrations use more vivid colors, in keeping with the manner of Bolognese illuminators of that era. Item 1. Price on Request.

Next, we have a Book of Hours created for the wedding of Bianca Maria Sforza to future Holy Roman Emperor Maxmilian I in 1493. It was the second or third marriage for Maxmilian, whose first wife died, and whose second marriage was annulled. Bianca was first married at the age 21... 21 months that is. I doubt she gave her informed consent. Not surprisingly, this was an arranged marriage. She was widowed at the tender age of 10. Bianca was placed under the care of her uncle, Ludovico Sforza. Ludovico arranged this marriage for his niece for the same reason as all of these arranged marriages. They created a political alliance useful to the participants. This was a loveless marriage, as Maxmilian went from paying little attention to his bride to practically none at all. She apparently was not the brightest person so she was not of much use to him. However, there doesn't seem to have been hostility, simply disinterest. She would become Empress years later when he became Emperor, but it did not make her any happier and she died two years later in 1510. The official cause was excessive consumption of snails. That sounds like a reasonable diagnosis. Even if there was more intrigue than love behind these wedding hours, it does not change the fact that this is a beautiful work of art. Along with the 200 pages of holy words in the text, there are 15 full-page miniatures and spectacular illustrated borders on text pages. Surely it must have brought some joy to Bianca's sad life. Now, you have an opportunity to make this book a gift for your niece as did Ludovico, or give it to someone else, maybe yourself. Item 16. Price on Request.

The great majority of older writings were theological and this is no exception, though it is not one of biblical passages. It is a commentary, Expositio Secundum Lucan et Actum Apostolorum (Commentary on Saint Luke and the Acts of the Apostles). The commentator was the Venerable Bede, an English priest and theologian of the early eighth century. He was an exception in that church authorities were not located in England at the time. Nonetheless, he was venerated, and had “Venerable” attached to his name on the Continent, though that came years after his death. He is best remembered today for Ecclesiastical History of the English People, which traces the conversion of the Anglo and Saxon tribes to Christianity. He is considered a reputable historian. However, during his lifetime, he was best known for his biblical commentaries, such as this. This is a Latin manuscript on velum created by the scribe Venceslaus Crispus and Illuminated by Matteo Felice. It is dated to circa 1481 and was created in Naples. It was likely made for the Aragonese Royal Library in Naples. The books were later sold to or confiscated by the French when the conquered Naples. The manuscript features seven extremely large and over 100 large illuminated floral initials. Item 12. CHF 360,000 (Swiss francs or approximately $415,400 in U.S. dollars).

This next item (a miniature) is an initial taken from an antiphonary (a brief liturgical text used in certain services). It is the letter “P.” Within it is an image of the death of Saul, with David weeping over him. David sits on a rock, head in his hand, while Saul lies still, blood upon him from his wounds. While Saul repeatedly distrusted David, thinking him a rival, and tried to have him killed, David remained loyal to his King, as that is who David was (Bathsheba's husband's death being an exception that left him filled with guilt). The colorful image shows Saul's sword by his side, his crown still on his head. The image was illuminated at the workshop of Martino de Bartolomeo, c. 1400-1405. Item 50. CHF 42,000 (US $48,450).

This item is a responsory, sort of a Christian chant. The leaf contains musical notation along with a historiated initial “M.” On one side of the divider within the letter “M” is St. Dominic. He gesticulates as he speaks. On the other side a group of nuns listen intently to his words. The antiphonary from which the leaf comes was created for a Dominican nunnery outside of Bologna. It dates from c. 1300-1305. Item 24. CHF 32,000 (US $36,900).

Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books may be reached at +41 61 275 75 75 or info@guenther-rarebooks.com. Their website is www.guenther-rarebooks.com.