Carthusian 'Gradual' from Valbonne Abbey.

[Manuscript] / [Carthusians]. [Gradual].  S.l. [Valbonne]: s.n., s.a. [17th or 18th century]. 8vo [19.5 x 13.2 cm], [2] ff. ruled blanks, [7] ff. calendar, 474 pp., consisting almost entirely of music in Gregorian notation on a four-line staff, initials in red, blue, green, and gold, occasional cancel slips and initials on slips. Bound in early calf, red edges Binding much rubbed and abraded, joints at upper extremity tender, stamp of the Congregatio Missionariorum Oblatorum (Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate) of Liège(?) on upper and lower free endpapers. Portions of chant and some initials are on cancel slips, some of which have been removed, the occasional stain and smudge, neatly written and perfectly legible throughout.
 
 
Finely decorated 17th- or 18th-century Latin ‘Gradual’ consisting of a calendar followed by four-line chants. A chant for St. Bruno and a calendar entry for Hugh of Lincoln indicates that the book was for the use of Carthusians, and the 7 November calendar entry reading “Dedicatio Ecclesiae Vallis-bonae solennitas” places it at the Carthusian abbey of Valbonne (Provence).
 
The Gradual includes chants for Advent, Nativity, various saints (e.g., Stephen, John the Evangelist, SS. Innocenti, etc.), Circumcision, Epiphany, Sacred Name of Jesus, Feria 2-6, Septuagesima, Quinquagesima, Quadragesima, Palm Sunday, Last Supper, Parasceve, Holy Saturday, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost, SS. Trinity, Corpus Christi, In Proprium Sanctorum, Commune Apostolorum, etc.
 
Later hands added feasts to the calendar (e.g., Peter Nolasco, Romualdus, and Norbert).