Yesterday I acquired a new addition to my collection. The full title is: Missale romanum : ex decreto sacrosancti concilii Tridentini restitutum Pii V. Pont. Max. Iussu editum. This book is a description of the Roman Catholic mass, printed by Christophe Plantin in Antwerp in the year 1574. The book has been rebound around 1900 and a 19th century neogothic part was added (to add a Dutch update of the missal). The binding is a bit soiled and damaged The clasps are intact and working The spine is loose and needs repair Beautiful simple frontispiece with a woodcut of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, patrons of Rome. Colofon with Plantin's printers mark "Labore et Constantia" Some pages have great woodcuts in the borders and 2 colored capitals Full size woodcut of the crucifixion by Jan Wierix There is also plain chant music added 19th century neogothic text and pictures
I tried to describe the parts of this book. It is very complicated. As it seems all parts of the original book of 1574 are there. I also found an online copy of the exact edition in a library in the National Library of Bavaria (the only complete version I could find worldwide). The book is not digitized, but they offer scans of the book. The total price will be more than I payed for the book itself, so I'll pass for this offer... Luckily someone shared a picture of the book with me.
Would you be able to see it if you went to the National Library of Bavaria? You are not only an owner, but also student/scholar of antique religious publications, after all.
I guess so. Not sure it adds too much value. It is much cheaper than ordering a few pictures of the book though.
