Manuscript ‘Processional’ Illustrated with devotional prints.

[Manuscript]. [Processional]. In Die Nativitatis Domini... S.l. [Flanders or Northern France], s.a. [early 18th century]. 8vo [18.2 x 11.7 cm], [147] ff., written in red and black, musical notation throughout, extra illustrated with six devotional prints. Bound in contemporary calf over boards, strap-and-pin closure. Crudely rebacked, boards rubbed, one strap lacking. Occasional internal staining, red ink fugitive in places, quire 1 in sixes, f. [7vi] cancelled, ff. [8ii], [10iii], [14iv-v], and final blank of quire 19 lacking, quire 15 and 17 in tens with [17vii and viii] pasted together, several cancel slips.
 
 
Early 18th-century manuscript ‘Processional’ likely produced in Flanders or Northern France. The manuscript is notable for being illustrated with 6 devotional engravings and woodcuts. Although there is no clear indication who produced or used the book, the work is consistent with that of nuns.
 
The manuscript covers the Nativity, Candlemas, and parts of the Holy Week (“In Die Nativitatis Domini,” “In Festo Purificatione B.e Mariae,” “Feria Quinta In Coena Domini ad Matutinum,” “Feria Sexta in Parasceve ad Matutinum,” “Sabato Sancto ad Matutinum”). There is copious musical notation, as called for by the liturgical format.
 
The prints pasted into manuscript are a woodcut Crowned Virgin & Child; an engraving of the (with inscription “O Nulli penetrata Trias…”); an engraving on vellum of the Crucifixion with Virgin and John the Evangelist inside wreath which is atop the serpent, signed by Cornelis Galle; an engraving by Valérien Regnard (fl. 1620-1650) depicting Magdalene, Mary, and two angels in the tomb with Christ’s body; nd engraving of Christ at Gethsemane with Angel with chalice, and an engraving in contemporary hand color depicting Saints Andrew and Bartholomew (surely of Antwerp origin). Blank spots in the text suggest that a few prints were removed in the past.