Missal. Use of Meissen

Median folio (342 x 220mm.), a fragment of 31 leaves, 33 lines plus headline, printed in red and black throughout, woodcut music in gothic neums on 4-line staves (9 staves to a page), 2- and 3-line Lombard initials, one 7-line initial in pink on a gold ground with later green fillers, later vellum, numerous paper repairs, pages washed, a few leaves with small slits in outer margin, binding starting to warp; sold as a fragment, not subject to return

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."

These leaves are a close copy of the Meissen Missal printed in 1502 (VD16 M5598) and attributed to either Kachelofen or Georg Stuchs of Nuremberg; that edition was, in turn, a copy of the Kachelofen edition of 1 September 1500 (Weale-Bohatta 613), though both of these have 31 or 32 lines per page, not 33 lines as here; there were editions printed by Lotter in 1510, 1515 and 1519 with 33 lines, so these leaves could be from one of those (Weale-Bohatta 618, 620 and 621). The use is identified by the presence of Donatus, bishop, martyr and patron, on 7 August.

The actual leaves, in order of binding, are: [viii?)], iii, v, [vii], A1, A3, [A5], [A7], C3, [C7], [D5], [D6], [I8], L4, [C5], [?music], [?music], Q3, Q4, R4, [?music], T4, [T6], [T7], V2, [V5], [V6], X3, [Z7], [a3], [ix?]. The first four leaves are part of the calendar, then 11 leaves from the pars hiemalis, 6 leaves of music, 3 leaves from the commune sanctorum, 6 from the pars estivalis de tempore, and one leaf containing the text for the exorcism blessing of salt and water.