Book of Hours – Early Print Edition, Illustrated with Numerous Woodcuts – Philippe Pigouchet – Late 15th or Early ...

Book of Hours – Early Print Edition, Illustrated with Numerous Woodcuts – Philippe Pigouchet – Late 15th or Early 16th Century
Book of Hours, early illustrated print edition. No title page, publisher not indicated [probably Paris: Philippe Pigouchet, late 15th or early 16th century]. Latin and some French.
Each page of text is framed with miniature illustrations; ten full-page woodcut illustrations. Red and blue initials.
Philippe Pigouchet's version of the Book of Hours is considered one of the most beautiful variants of this work to be created following the introduction of the printing press, and one of the most splendid prayer books from the early years of printing. In preparing this book, Pigouchet was evidently influenced and inspired by a number of different illuminated Christian manuscripts and books, such as the "Biblia pauperum" (Paupers' Bible), Legenda aurea (Golden Legend), "Danse Macabre" (Dance of Death), and other books. He printed a number of different editions of the Book of Hours in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, in collaboration with the renowned Parisian bookseller Simon Vostre.
Incomplete copy. Apparently missing title page, numerous pages of almanac (for months January-March and August-December), three full-page woodcuts, and additional leaves from body of text.
[76] ff., approx. 16 cm. Fair-poor condition. Stains, small holes, and tears. Open tears to edges of some leaves, affecting woodcuts. Large open tear to one leaf (most of leaf missing). No binding. Book split into several parts (detached gatherings and leaves).