Eighteenth-Century Manuscript Ledger, Bound in fifteenth century Antiphonal Leaf binding waste

Eighteenth Century ledger - bound in a Fifteenth Century Manuscript Antiphonal Leaf

-76 blank leaves (Ruled and numbered in top right from 18 to 94 "Et Dernier")

-Bound in large Antiphonal Leaf

-Retains original leather string

-32 x 21cm approx

This is a nice example of "Recycled" manuscript waste, repurposed to bind an eighteenth century ledger. Old parchment was frequently used by binders as a practical and affordable binding material, often for day-to-day items. This Antiphonal would have been over 200 years old at the time of its reuse, and would have fallen out of daily use.

The antiphonal leaf itself is likely of Italian origin, due to the style of the decorative "E" and "Q" which contain foliate and floral decoration with light blue and yellow colouring, and the 4 line Gregorian musical notation.

The antiphonal music includes the chant "Estote fortes in bello et pugnate cum antiquo serpente" which was used as the Magnificat antiphon during Vespers for the Common of Apostles and Evangelists in the traditional Roman Breviary.