1759 ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT ANTIPHONAL HYMNAL Bible 16

MAGNIFICENT GIANT CENTERPIECE FOR ANY MUSEUM OR LIBRARY!

GIANT, ALMOST 3 FEET HIGH MANUSCRIPT ON VELLUM ANTIPHONAL WITH 43 BEAUTIFUL FULL PAGE, HALF PAGE AND QUARTER PAGE PAINTINGS PLUS 100s OF PAINTED AND ILLUMINATED CAPITALS ON 142 MASSIVE VELLUM LEAVES AND BOUND IN ITS GIGANTIC ORIGINAL BINDING OF LEATHER & BRASS OVER  INCH THICK WOODEN BOARDS!

1759 (Dated Full Page Painted Colophon) GIANT ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT HYMNAL / ANTIPHONAL ON VELLUM (SHEEPSKIN) LEAVES WITH FULL-PAGE, HALF-PAGE AND QUARTER-PAGE PAINTINGS THROUGHOUT! Measuring a Giant 31 inches High (almost 3 Feet!) by 23" Wide! (Measures an Astounding 50" inches Wide when opened!). The Binding is Original and Magnificent! It is Composed of the Original Leather over Inch Thick Wooden boards with 8 Brass Corner Pieces, 2 Working Brass Clasps and 2 Large Pictorial Brass Centerpieces on the Front and Back Boards! one board is split and some leather is torn or lacking in spots but this should be an easy fix for a binder. This Incredible Museum Piece Contains 142 Huge Vellum Leaves (or 284 Manuscript Pages) with Dozens of Full-Page, Half-Page and Quarter-Page Paintings throughout! Each Massive Sheepskin Leaf measures a Gigantic 26 1/4" High by 23" Wide! There are a Total of 43 Beautiful Paintings as follows:

Full Page (2)

3/4 Page (1)

Half Page (2)

Third Page (1)

Quarter Page (24)

Eighth Page (13)

PROVENANCE: This one of a kind National Treasure was written at the order of Father Juan Bravo by Father José Rubio of the Convento Grande de San Francisco in Mexico City, October 22, 1759. COLOPHON READS: "Millessimi Sept[in]g[esimi] Quinquagess[imi] noni", Or, one thousand seven hundred fifty nine. These Huge Antiphonals were made extraordinarilly Large so that the whole Choir could read and sing from it at a distance! Due to their massive size and highly popular and collectable nature, very few have survived Intact. This Stunning Museum Piece is 100% TOTALLY COMPLETE AND  ORIGINAL! With 142 Giant Vellum Leaves or 284 Manuscript pages, and 43 Stunning Paintings plus 100s of Painted and Illuminated Initials!

The Many, many Paintings throughout are Breathtaking! I am still doing research on this Incredible and Stunning Work of Art. I believe that this Giant Vellum Hymnal with Paintings is associated in some way with the Ship "Maris Stella" (Star of the Sea or Sea Star) seen in one of the Pictures below on the left, and, which sank in 1669. The ship was commissioned by the Catholic Church and did its bidding, as well as Pirate I believe.

Spaniards, under Hernán Cortés (1485–1547), sail from Cuba and land in present-day Veracruz in 1519. Eventually they penetrate most Mesoamerican regions. Missionaries of mendicant orders follow to convert the populations to the Catholic faith. Growing numbers of Spaniards, lured by the promise of wealth, settle throughout Mesoamerica. The Viceroyalty of New Spain, established in 1535, will stretch from Mexico to the Isthmus of Panama. Native populations decline dramatically as a result of disease, displacement, and overwork, and the imposition of colonial rule leads to the collapse of native civilizations. Rich silver mines in northern Mexico and fertile lands in the south provide wealth and prosperity for the Viceroyalty and the Spanish crown. Art production consists predominantly of religious works commissioned for convents and churches. An eclectic style evolves in art and architecture in which motifs, forms, and technologies from Spain and Europe, introduced by itinerant artists and portable works of art, mix with native symbol systems and techniques.

ca. 1543 The first school of painting is established at the Convento Grande de San Francisco in Mexico City (Where this Antiphonal was made!) by the friar Pedro de Gante (1486–1572). The friars, many of whom are trained artists, use engravings, woodcuts, and other images brought from Spain, to teach painting to the Indians. (See under 1543: http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/ht/08/canm/ht08canm.htm )

This is a Monumental Work of Art and a CROWN JEWEL for any collection!

A GIGANTIC & STUNNING CENTERPIECE!

TERMS: PAYPAL. Insurance is available up to $5,000 for Priority Mail and up to $25,000 for Registered Mail in the United States only. All Items must have Insurance paid for by the buyer. All funds must be paid within 7 days. Insurance claims are the responsibility of the buyer and copies of insurance slips will be provided upon request. We are not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items. This is a Born Again Christian business and I strive to honor Christ in every transaction. I am happy to answer any questions you may have and Items may be returned within 7 days if significantly not as described. God Bless You and thank you for viewing these many blessings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

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