Servasanctus

Chancery folio (282 x 203mm.), 292 leaves, *⁴ a-u⁸ x¹⁰ A-O⁸ P⁶, first and last leaves blank, double column, 42 lines plus headline (containing foliation), gothic letter, 6-line initials in red and blue with floral designs in centres and marginal penwork decoration, other 2- to 5-line initials in red or blue (a few with penwork decoration), red paraphs and initial-strokes, contemporary calf over wooden boards from the printer's workshop, covers tooled to a diaper pattern with small floral, crown and fleur-de-lys stamps, a few page edges uncut, modern brown buckram folding box, rebacked retaining parts of a later spine, lacking all bosses and clasps and paper label on upper cover

early (and lengthy) inscription of the monastery of Augustinian canons of Rouge-Cloître or Roedenclooster at Auderghem (near Brussels) on initial blank leaf, who previously owned the British Library copy of another book by Johannes de Westphalia (IB.49211); Law Society, armorial bookplate

For other books with Windesheim provenances, see lots 46 and 65.

Goff S476; HC 14155; ILC 1980; BMC ix 152; Bod-inc S185; GW M41855

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."

The design of the binding is very similar to those carried out in the workshop of Johannes de Westphalia (see Goldschmidt, Gothic and Renaissance Bookbindings, plate XII), rather than in the monastic bindery (according to Goldschmidt, all the houses of the Augustinian Canons under the Windesheim rules, including Rouge-Cloître, had their own bindery; see p.11). Goldschmidt notes "the binder's practice to place a star tool at each intersecting point of the fillets is extremely characteristic" (p.153).