Collection of leaves from manuscript and printed Books of Hours, in Latin on vellum and paper

8 leaves, including (a) five leaves from a Book of Hours, each 127mm. by 90mm., three leaves with 5-line initials in white, blue or brown heightened with liquid gold ground (that in white composed of foliage), on coloured grounds to contrast, full border of naturalistic flower cuttings, fruit, two flies and two birds, all on liquid gold grounds, 16 lines of text in light/dark brown ink in a skilled lettre batârde, rubrics in red, numerous 1- and 2-line initials in liquid gold on terracotta grounds, some decorative cadels in borders, southern Netherlands (perhaps Ghent or Bruges), end of fifteenth century; (b) large arch-topped miniature on a single leaf, 140mm. by 89mm., the Garden of Gethsemane, with Christ kneeling in prayer in a detailed rocky landscape, his disciples beneath him asleep (some with minor wear), all with liquid gold haloes and details of clothing picked out in liquid gold, full decorated border of acanthus-leaves, other foliage, a bird and a drollery creature all on liquid gold ground, 3-line initial in blue and white on red ground enclosing a grotesque animal mask, three lines of text in black ink in a good late Gothic hand, on verso: 19 lines of text in same, rubric in red, 2-line initial as above but enclosing a single flower (white flaked away), single border panel, France (probably Loire Valley), c. 1475; (c) a large bifolium from a Book of Hours, Use of Rouen, each leaf 208mm. by 144mm., 20 lines in black ink , four large initials in white and grey on liquid gold grounds, numerous small initials and line fillers in blue and terracotta touched with liquid gold, four large and fine panel borders of white-grey acanthus-leaves, coloured flowers, fruit, two birds and a drollery creature, outstanding condition, Rouen, c. 1500; plus a single manuscript text leaf with border panels on recto and verso including peacocks (somewhat worn), and a leaf and a bifolium from printed Books of Hours (Paris, T. Kerver, 1505 & Hardoulin, c. 1525), one with painted border panels and one with detailed printed border panels, all in excellent condition and in card mounts

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Item c was once part of a fragment of a Book of Hours owned by Joachim Napoléon, Prince Murat (1856-1932); sold after the death of his widow in 1960, in our rooms, 8 July 1970, lot 129, to Alan Thomas and Charles Ede jointly, who offered leaves separately: Folio Fine Art, cat.76 (October 1970), no. 757, "These leaves are among the most beautiful we have ever been able to offer", and A. G. Thomas, cat.25 (autumn 1970), no. 22, pl. vi & cat.26 (spring 1971), no. 18, pl. v. Further leaves were part of Alan Thomas' estate and were subsequently sold in our rooms, 21-22 June 1993, lot 44.

All from the collection of the late Dr F. Jossi.