ILLUMINATED VELLUM MANUSCRIPT BIBLE LEAF France, 15th Century

Double column with 50 lines of text in a gothic hand. This leaf contains two magnificent three-line initial capital letters, both of which are P, with a full-length marginal descender and decorative extension terminating in a leafy spray. The initials are blue against a pink background, illuminated in gold, and with intricate scrollwork within the decorative descender.

The Latin text is from the Gospel of John, and it contains the entire text of Chapter 6, in which the miracle of the loaves is described. The verso contains a large portion of Chapter 7. There are several lines of marginal notes on both sides of the leaf.

Some very faint soiling to lower margin, and a thin light stain along top edge, else a fine example of the style of manuscript Bible, the format of which served as a basis for Gutenburg's revolutionary version printed from movable type. (15 1/2 by 10 1/2in; 395 x 268mm). (21942) $3750.00

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