Vérards Grandes Heures Royales, Made for the Regent of France, Anne de Beaujeu. A Splendid Illuminated Copy on Vellum, Dated 20 August 1490. Uniquely Decorated with Miniatures

Horae 1 in our Catalogue 50 Horae B. M. V. for the use of Paris. Paris, (probably Pierre le Rouge for) Anthoine Vérard, 20.8.1490. Illuminated copy on vellum.

This book, which is spectacular in every respect, takes first place in this collection, and not just chronologically: With miniatures by important Parisian illuminators, handwritten passages and illuminated metal cuts, it was equal to a manuscript. It is a unique and precious item, made for the first lady of the land, Anne de Beaujeu. The interim regent was held in such high esteem by contemporaries that she was given the nickname "Roi de France". Like her mother Charlotte of Savoy and her brother Charles VIII, Anne was considered an enthusiastic bibliophile and it is therefore guaranteed that she placed the highest demands on the quality of her books. Anthoine Vérard took this into account in the most conscientious manner when producing the present edition.

In the 19th century, the present copy was also part of an important collection: it belonged to the French bibliophile Ambroise Firmin-Didot and realised the highest selling price among the Book of Hours editions at his auction in 1882.

This book is part of the largest collection of printed Books of Hours in the world, which is offered for sale en bloc.

The collection has been extensively documented in Catalogues No. 50 & 75 (nine volumes), available in our online shop.

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