Book of Hours fragments in Jean Pontas, Dictionnaire de cas de conscience

Description by Madyson Huck, with assistance from Dr. Adrienne Williams Boyarin (ENGL), as part of coursework for a manuscript studies class with Dr. Williams Boyarin, June 2022: Fragments of four leaves from the same fifteenth-century Book of Hours, used as parchment lining in the spine of the first volume of Jean Pontas' Dictionnaire de cas de conscience (Paris: Chez Pierre-Augustin le Mercier, 1724), part of the Seghers Collection at the University of Victoria's Special Collections and University Archives. Fragments are positioned at three places in the spine (top, middle, bottom) and are visible on the outside of the binding and the inner covers. The fragments contents are as follows: Fragment 1, top of spine, also visible on front inside cover: Psalm 66 and the Song of the Three Children (Daniel 3) from Lauds of the Office of the Virgin Fragment 2, middle spine, also visible in front inside cover: recto includes responsories and versicles, and the verso Psalm 124 from Sext of the Office of the Virgin (here discernibly Use of Paris) Fragment 3: bottom spine, front inside cover: section of Matins of the Office of the Dead, from the first Nocturn Fragment 4, bottom spine, back inside cover: Psalm 50 from the Office of the Dead

In Collection:
Contributor Subject Language Identifier
  • Call Number: BX1757 A2P82 1724
Keyword Date created Resource type Rights statement Extent
  • 4 in situ fragments ; 80 x 70 mm
Alternative title
  • Book of Hours, Fragment
Geographic Coverage Coordinates
  • 48.85341, 2.3488
Additional physical characteristics
  • Description by Madyson Huck, with assistance from Dr. Adrienne Williams Boyarin (ENGL), as part of coursework for a manuscript studies class with Dr. Williams Boyarin, June 2022:The dimensions of the fragments vary, with the largest (a nearly complete text block, with margins trimmed off) measuring 80 x 70mm. Condition also varies. The letters on some fragments are faded and discoloured (particularly on the spine), while others (visible on the inner covers) are in excellent condition. Reddish plummet ruling is clearly visible on inner-cover fragments.There is evidence of illumination on all of the fragments, and the details match for each: illuminated gold initials are surrounded by blue or red with white details, similar in design to the line fillers, which are red and blue on each side with white details and a gold central circle.Script contains primary features of gothic textualis, including straight strokes, even for curved letters like "o" and "c", and the biting of connected letters, such as "d" and "e". The script also contains slight cursive features; many words are written without the pen being lifted.Fragment 1, top spine. The recto and verso are both visible on the spine (47x 36 mm). In the front inside cover, the the recto is visible (40 x 50 mm). Fragment 2, middle spine. The recto and verso are both visible on the spine(47 x 40 mm). In the front inside cover, part of the verso is also visible (40 x 10 mm).Fragment 3, bottom spine, visible only in the front inside cover (55 x 30mm). Fragment 4, bottom spine, visible only in the back inside cover (80 x 70mm).
Physical Repository Collection
  • Medieval and Early Modern Manuscripts Collection
Provider Genre Is referenced by Technical note
  • Images were downloaded in their largest size from the Fragmentarium by PD. Metadata by KD.
Rights
  • Contact Special Collections and University Archives for access to the original manuscript and for reproduction requests (fee for reproductions). This material is made available on this site for research and private study only.
DOI