![MARCHESINUS, Johannes (b. c.1300). Mammotrectus super Bibliam. [Cologne: Conrad Winters, de Homborch], 24 December 1476.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2016/CKS/2016_CKS_12141_0079_003(marchesinus_johannes_mammotrectus_super_bibliam_cologne_conrad_winters095139).jpg?w=1)
![MARCHESINUS, Johannes (b. c.1300). Mammotrectus super Bibliam. [Cologne: Conrad Winters, de Homborch], 24 December 1476.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2016/CKS/2016_CKS_12141_0079_004(marchesinus_johannes_mammotrectus_super_bibliam_cologne_conrad_winters095139).jpg?w=1)
![MARCHESINUS, Johannes (b. c.1300). Mammotrectus super Bibliam. [Cologne: Conrad Winters, de Homborch], 24 December 1476.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2016/CKS/2016_CKS_12141_0079_002(marchesinus_johannes_mammotrectus_super_bibliam_cologne_conrad_winters095139).jpg?w=1)
![MARCHESINUS, Johannes (b. c.1300). Mammotrectus super Bibliam. [Cologne: Conrad Winters, de Homborch], 24 December 1476.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2016/CKS/2016_CKS_12141_0079_001(marchesinus_johannes_mammotrectus_super_bibliam_cologne_conrad_winters095139).jpg?w=1)
Details
MARCHESINUS, Johannes (b. c.1300). Mammotrectus super Bibliam. [Cologne: Conrad Winters, de Homborch], 24 December 1476.
Bound at Lille by Vincent Gohon (d. 1493), binder, scribe, illuminator and bookseller, with his name stamp on covers and preserving a leaf from an early manuscript of Le Fevre’s Recueil des histoires de Troyes. Goff M-235.
Chancery folio (288 x 204mm). Without first and last blank leaf but with blank 9/6, major initials in interlocking red and blue with contrasting penwork decoration, other initials and paragraph marks in red, yellow capital strokes, manuscript guide-letters (upper margin of first leaf partly replaced). Bound by Vincent Gohon at Lille: contemporary blindstamped calf over wooden boards with tools including ‘Gohon’, 2 fore-edge clasps, sizeable fragment of a contemporary French manuscript on vellum of Le Fevre’s Recueil des histoires de Troyes as rear pastedown (repairs at spine, a little worn). Provenance: [Leon Gruel, binder and binding historian (1840-1923; Manuel II, p.88)].
One of eight known bindings by Vincent Gohon, a relatively well documented book artisan active at Lille from the beginning of the 1470s until his death in 1493. He was also responsible for ringing the bells announcing the canonical hours at the collegiate church of St Peter, where he undertook commissions for binding, writing and illuminating. The volume is cited by Leon Gruel as in his ownership, where it is described as having four bosses attached to prevent rubbing; these were subsequently removed. Cf. Marc Gil, ‘Le metier de relieur à Lille (v. 1400-1550), suivi d’une prosopographie des artisans du livre lillois’, Bulletin du Bibliophile, 2002, 7-46.
At the back of the book is preserved a significant part of a vellum leaf of a large manuscript from Le Fevre’s Recueil des histoires de Troyes written in French in a contemporary Flemish hand. It serves as a witness not only to Gohon’s own activity in the book arts but also to the rich book culture of the area around the patronage of the Dukes of Burgundy at their courts in Brussels, Bruges and Lille. Le Fevre composed the Recueil des histoires de Troyes in 1464-65 for the Duke of Burgundy, Philip the Good: several grand illuminated manuscripts were produced of the text. The work is celebrated especially since its first appearance in print was in an English translation by William Caxton, later England’s first printer, at Bruges or Ghent in about 1473. Caxton was also responsible for printing the first edition in French at Bruges or Ghent in 1474-75.
Fourth edition, rare on the market, with only one imperfect copy recorded at auction in over 40 years. Not in the Bavarian State Library. HC 10556; BMC I 245; Polain(B) 2604; CIBN M-120; Bod-inc M-082; Goff M-235.
Bound at Lille by Vincent Gohon (d. 1493), binder, scribe, illuminator and bookseller, with his name stamp on covers and preserving a leaf from an early manuscript of Le Fevre’s Recueil des histoires de Troyes. Goff M-235.
Chancery folio (288 x 204mm). Without first and last blank leaf but with blank 9/6, major initials in interlocking red and blue with contrasting penwork decoration, other initials and paragraph marks in red, yellow capital strokes, manuscript guide-letters (upper margin of first leaf partly replaced). Bound by Vincent Gohon at Lille: contemporary blindstamped calf over wooden boards with tools including ‘Gohon’, 2 fore-edge clasps, sizeable fragment of a contemporary French manuscript on vellum of Le Fevre’s Recueil des histoires de Troyes as rear pastedown (repairs at spine, a little worn). Provenance: [Leon Gruel, binder and binding historian (1840-1923; Manuel II, p.88)].
One of eight known bindings by Vincent Gohon, a relatively well documented book artisan active at Lille from the beginning of the 1470s until his death in 1493. He was also responsible for ringing the bells announcing the canonical hours at the collegiate church of St Peter, where he undertook commissions for binding, writing and illuminating. The volume is cited by Leon Gruel as in his ownership, where it is described as having four bosses attached to prevent rubbing; these were subsequently removed. Cf. Marc Gil, ‘Le metier de relieur à Lille (v. 1400-1550), suivi d’une prosopographie des artisans du livre lillois’, Bulletin du Bibliophile, 2002, 7-46.
At the back of the book is preserved a significant part of a vellum leaf of a large manuscript from Le Fevre’s Recueil des histoires de Troyes written in French in a contemporary Flemish hand. It serves as a witness not only to Gohon’s own activity in the book arts but also to the rich book culture of the area around the patronage of the Dukes of Burgundy at their courts in Brussels, Bruges and Lille. Le Fevre composed the Recueil des histoires de Troyes in 1464-65 for the Duke of Burgundy, Philip the Good: several grand illuminated manuscripts were produced of the text. The work is celebrated especially since its first appearance in print was in an English translation by William Caxton, later England’s first printer, at Bruges or Ghent in about 1473. Caxton was also responsible for printing the first edition in French at Bruges or Ghent in 1474-75.
Fourth edition, rare on the market, with only one imperfect copy recorded at auction in over 40 years. Not in the Bavarian State Library. HC 10556; BMC I 245; Polain(B) 2604; CIBN M-120; Bod-inc M-082; Goff M-235.
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