Missale Romanum.

4to (210 x 145mm.), printed on vellum, 239 (of 240) leaves, double column, 33 lines, Gothic letter, printed in red and black throughout, b1 with contemporary illumination, a 6-line initial A inhabited by a man writing on a scroll, with leafy extensions across upper and inner margins, lower margin with two angels supporting an armorial shield within a green wreath, 3-6 line initials supplied in combinations of gold, red and blue, that on c1 containing a flower and with leafy extensions, a few initials inhabited, 2 additional vellum contemporary manuscript leaves in quire c duplicating printed text (presumably because of misbinding), woodcut staves, some with printed notation, some with manuscript notation, and some left blank, two pages of contemporary manuscript text at start and four pages at end (in a few different hands), contemporary blind-tooled calf over wooden boards, vellum manuscript board-liner at end, in modern green buckram folding box, lacking p8 (with woodcut of the Crucifixion), b1 rubbed at foot affecting decoration, quire c misbound, a few initials smudged, a few leaves repaired at lower corner, binding rubbed and with a few small wormholes, repaired and rebacked retaining original (cracked) spine

Petrus Naturel, cantor of the church of Châlon, sixteenth- or seventeenth-century inscriptions at foot of first flyleaf and at head of a1

It is interesting that this book was owned by a cantor, the leader of the choir with responsibility for the musical element of the liturgy. It is possible that he supplied the manuscript music notation in this copy.

H 11376?; BMC v 277; Meyer-Baer 127; Goff M693 (one copy only, on vellum). ISTC lists 16 copies, of which 5 are incomplete, and only one is printed on vellum (i.e. this copy?).

Condition is described in the main body of the description, 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."

The last page of manuscript text contains three prayers (in an Italian hand) for the wellbeing of King Renatus, his wife and his children; this is possibly René II of Lorraine (1451-1508), King of Naples and Jerusalem.