Lorenz Grawnerstich - [HANDSCHRIFT] Geistliches Blumengärtlein - 1797

Little Spiritual Flower Garden. German-language prayer-book manuscript on paper in Kurrent script, dated 1797. The contemporary inscription on the first page, “Lorenz Grawnerstich Sohn zu Hardtham, 1797” (“Lorenz Grawnerstich, son, at Hardtham, 1797”), provides information about the author. A unique handwritten manuscript, not a printed book.

A collection of various prayers for different occasions, carefully written by hand in brown and red ink. Each page is consistently framed, giving the small volume a cohesive, calligraphically accomplished appearance. Handwritten prayer books from the late 18th century were personal records of private devotion, and every copy is unique. Comparable items are now preserved in museums. The named attribution and date on the first page give the volume a tangible provenance. It also has a decorative embossed leather binding with gilt edges.

15.5 x 10 cm, small octavo. 87 numbered leaves (174 handwritten pages), old numbering on every other page. Embossed leather binding with attractive floral decoration, embossed spine, patterned endpapers, bright gilt edges. Binding sound, paper only minimally browned, overall very well preserved. Two-color handwriting in red and dark brown ink; continuous page borders.