AUTHOR: UNKNOWN

LANGUAGE: LATIN

DATE: 1475

PAGE #: 242

REPRODUCTION DIMENSIONS: 7.1” X 5.5”

HISTORY/DESCRIPTION: THE BLACK HOURS IS A RARE LATE GOTHIC ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT VERSION OF A BOOK OF HOURS. IT IS WRITTEN AND ILLUMINATED ON VELLUM THAT HAS BEEN STAINED OR PAINTED BLACK, THIS GIVING IT ITS NAME. IT IS WRITTEN IN GOLD AND SILVER GOTHIC MINUSCULE SCRIPT WITH 14 FULL PAGE MINIATURES IN BRIGHT COLORS THAT GREATLY CONTRAST AGAINST THE BLACK VELLUM. IT IS SAID THAT THE PAGES IMITATE WORKS OF ART THAT ARE MADE OF ENAMEL.

IT IS BELIEVED TO BE MADE IN BRUGES AROUND 1475, ALONG WITH 6 OTHER MANUSCRIPTS OF ITS KIND. ALL OF WHICH WERE PRODUCED IN FLEMISH WORKSHOPS. ALTHOUGH THE ACTUAL ARTIST IS UNKNOWN, THE PENMANSHIP STRONGLY RESEMBLES THAT OF RENOWNED AND INFLUENTIAL ILLUMINATOR OF THAT TIME, WILLEM VRELANT. DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF WORK PUT INTO THIS MANUSCRIPT IT IS ASSUMED THAT THIS WAS COMMISSIONED FOR HIGH NOBILITY.

THE BLACK HOURS IS CURRENTLY AT THE MORGAN MUSEUM IN NEW YORK CITY WHERE IT IS PREPARING FOR CONSERVATION TO PREVENT THE PAINT FROM FURTHER CHIPPING AWAY FROM THIS DISTINCT PIECE OF HISTORY.

REPRODUCTION DETAILS: OUR HARDCOVER BOOKS ARE MADE WITH REAL WOOD FOR THE INTERIOR OF THE FRONT AND BACK COVERS AS WELL AS THE SPINE. THE LEATHER IS A 4 OZ COWHIDE, FROM A SMALL SUPPLIER IN NORTH CAROLINA. THE LEATHER IS ADHERED TO THE COVERS WITH GLUE AND MOLDED INTO THE SHAPE AT THE HAND OF OUR LOCAL ARTISANS. THE SIGNATURES/PAGES ARE HANDSEWN USING A LIBRARY BINDING METHOD. THE SEWN BOOK IS BOUND WITH A STRONG ADHESIVE GLUE THAT MAKES THE BINDINGS LAST, ESPECIALLY FOR THE LARGER BOOKS. WE ALSO ADD A THICK MULL CLOTH TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE BINDING, DRYING IN BETWEEN EACH LAYER, A TRADITIONAL WAY TO MAKE THE BINDING STIFF, STRONG, AND RESILIENT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

EACH PAGE OF THIS MANUSCRIPT IS INDIVIDUALLY CUT BY HAND TO ADD TO THE AUTHENTICITY.

NOTE: ALL OF OUR FACSIMILES ARE MADE TO ORDER. PLEASE ALLOW 4-6 WEEKS FOR NOTIFICATION OF SHIPMENT.