Breviary, Dominican use

85x60mm, manuscript on vellum, xiii+272+xii leaves (flyleaves paper), mainly in quires of eight, two blank leaves cancelled and a few others missing, presumably with decoration, 19 lines, c.60x35mm, one HALF-PAGE INITIAL with three-sided flourished and coloured border (f.21r), one SMALLER INITIAL with three-sided acanthus border (f.140v), and several large penwork initials, bound in seventeenth-century(?) vellum with remains of two ties

The condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing.
"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."

PROVENANCE

(1) The calendar is Dominican and includes the 11,000 Virgins (22 June, 21 Oct., both duplex and in red), but a much rarer feast is that of the Translation of Odilia (18 July, duplex), who was one of the 11,000; her feast is also included in the Sanctorale (f.223r). Her relics were at Huy, in present-day Belgium; St Servatius, who died at Maastricht, near Huy, is also in red in the calendar (13 May, semi-duplex), and together they suggest a region in which the book may have been made. In the Sanctorale St Augustine, whose Rule the Dominicans followed, is referred to as ‘beati patris nostri’ and his feast has a decorated initial (f.233v, cf. 243v). (2) Inscribed by various 16th/17th-century owners: ‘hic liber est ad usum fratrum Nigrae pro ...’ (f.106r), etc. (3) Flyleaf inscriptions include the initials ‘P.H.’ (f.iir). (4) William O’Brien, bequest booklabel dated 1899.

TEXT

The contents include an office of St Monica (mother of St Augustine) (f.2v); antiphons etc. (f.6r); a Dominican calendar (f.10r); Temporale (f.21r); Te deum (f.105v); Ferial Psalter (f.107r); Sanctorale (f.186r); Stabat mater (f.250v); Common of Saints (f.253v); further offices are added on the added paper leaves at the front and back.