N.N. / Matutinum, Nocturnen ea - [CONVOLUTE EARLY PRINT/ EMBLEM PLANTIJN] Officium Passionis lesu Christi, (...) [EN] Exercitium - 1621

VERY LOW RESERVED PRICE (!)

[CONVOLUUT from the famous Plantin press in ANTWERP]

17th-century pocket-format prayer book, 2 rare works in 1 parchment binding from 1621, printed by Plantin-Moretus, Antwerp with copper engravings in the style of Antoine Wierix or circle of Rubens.

Work 1
N.N. - Officium Passionis le[s]u Christi, ex oraculis Prophetarum desumptum. (= 'Hours of the Passion of Jesus Christ, taken from the oracles of the prophets'). - Antverpiae [Antwerp], ex officina Plantiniana (Balthasar Moretus), 1621 - 57 + (3) pp.

[WITH]

Work 2:
Ioannes Wilsono [John Wilson] - Exercitium Hebdomadarium collectore loanne Wilsono, Sacerdote Anglo (= Weekday Hours for English Catholics''). - Antverpiae [Antwerp], ex officina Plantiniana, 1621 - 127 + (3) pp. - with frontispiece and 11 small engravings.

first editions - original parchment binding with blind stamping (line frame, IHS monogram and French lilies on the spine) - 15 x 9 cm

Condition: very good - in a neat original binding with very solid cords (binding cords missing as often); neat, compact and sturdy block; neat, clean and fresh pages! (flyleaves renewed, title page at the top slightly cut, some usual light smudges, a single tiny spot, last page repaired with Japanese rice paper and somewhat stained, otherwise neat and clean paper!). Complete!
NB: the photos are somewhat yellowed due to daylight/sunlight.

'Regional Hours for English Catholics' collected by the English Catholic priest John Wilson.
It served as a weekly devotional book and is an important example of so-called Recusant literature. These were religious texts secretly printed and distributed for Catholics in England who refused to attend Anglican services. It was specifically compiled as a spiritual manual to support English Catholic laity during their religious persecution under the regime of James I.
Hours of H. Trinity H. Sacrament, H. Cross, English Keeper. With approbation of the Bishop of Antwerp.

Printed in red and black. With printer's mark Plantijn.
Frontispiece with phoenix/pelican on the cross-stem. Copper engravings at Matutinum, Nocturnes etc, etc & "Omnes sitientes venite" print.

With old handwriting on the last page: "desen boeck hoort toe aen Catarina van der Roer begijne" (this book belongs to Catarina van der Roer begin)

Equipped with all 19 splendid engraved illustrations! Deep and dark prints, very detailed!
All in the characteristic red and black printing (letters): the whole exudes the fine typography of the famous Plantijn [Plantiniana] press of Antwerp!

Magnificent and complete copy of a very rare and early edition. Very rare: not sold anywhere else in the world.
Virtually no information to be found.

Value: approx. 3,500-6,500 euros.

Printed in the renowned Plantin press in Antwerp!
A true collector’s item for collectors of special works and precious books in Catholic theology / liturgy.

Collector’s item!

VERY LOW RESERVED PRICE (!)

The Plantin press (Officina Plantiniana) was founded in 1555 in Antwerp by Christoffel Plantijn, who came from France and settled in the Scheldt city in 1548 or 1549. The company became one of the largest book printers in Europe.

After Plantin’s death in 1589, the printing house was taken over by his son-in-law Jan I Moretus. In 1866 the printing house was closed and in 1876 it became a museum, the Plantin-Moretus Museum, which was inscribed by UNESCO on the list in 2005.