(Pub.) Simon Vostre’s metalcut, “The Horsemen of the Apocalypse”, c.1500

(Publisher) Simon Vostre (fl.1486–1521)

(Recto) “The Horsemen of the Apocalypse”, c.1500

(Verso) “Hunting with Hounds”, c.1500

Double-sided printed leaf, page 1003, with ornamental metalcut borders and letterpress text from a Book of Hours published in c.1500 by Simon Vostre and possibly printed by Philippe Pigouchet (fl.1488–1518).

Metalcut relief printed borders (recto and verso) and letterpress text on vellum with full margins around the image borderlines (as published).

Size: (sheet) 18.2 x 11.5 cm.

(Recto) Numbered on plate below the image borderline: (left) “M.iiij.” (Note: the letter “j” is often appended to Roman numerals if the last digit is an “i”, consequently, the number here is “1003”).

Lettered on plate with Latin text within the ornamental border: “Virgo ante partum, vir/ go in partu, et virgo post partum: fons misericordiae: fons ...”.

Note: the text is part of a favorite prayer from the late Middle Ages and often featured in Books of the Hours with the opening lines (translated):

“I beseech thee, Lady Holy Mary, Mother of God, most full of piety, daughter of the Most High King, Mother most glorious, Mother of orphans, consolation of the desolate, way of the straying, health and hope of those hoping in thee, virgin before giving birth, virgin during birth, and virgin after giving birth. I beseech thee font of mercy, font of grace and well-being, font of piety and joy, font of consolation and indulgence. I beseech thee through that holy ineffable joy …”

Condition: strong impressions with traces of glue strengthening slight tears at the edges (and perhaps helping to flatten the vellum?), otherwise the leaf is in excellent/near pristine condition for its considerable age.

I am selling this small and beautifully executed vellum leaf from a Book of Hours published by Simon Vostre in c.1500, for AU$258 (currently US$177.53/EUR158.02/GBP142.65 at the time of posting this leaf) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world (but not, of course, any import duties/taxes imposed by some countries).

If you are interested in purchasing this fine example of an early printed leaf with metalcut borders, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold