Host Volume

Colchester: University of Essex Library, Harsnett H.b.22

Publication Details

Type of host: 
printed book retaining early binding
Author of volume: 
Jean Gerson
Title of volume: 

Opera, prima pars

Publication: 

Strassburg: Martinus Flaccus, iunior (ex officina), 1494

Bibliographical reference for printing: 
ISTC ig00189000; GW 10717

Binding Information

Binding style: 
blind-stamped, diaper design
Binding detail: 

Leather on boards, rebacked, sewn on four thongs. The same pattern on both boards: a rectangle formed by a repeated thin stamp of vegetation (Gibson, stamp 88), within which diagonal double fillets form a diaper pattern, in which sit two repeated ornaments: one a rectangle placed as a diamond, apparently an enthroned and nimbed Christ Child the crucifix resting on his left shoulder (Gibson, stamp 89); the other a triangle of flowing leaves (Gibson, stamp 90). Ker identified these stamps as localisable to Oxford [Pastedowns, sub no. 29]. Moreover, thanks to the work of Graham Pollard, 'The Names of Some English Fifteenth-Century Binders', The Library, 5th ser., xxv (1970), pp. 193-218 at p. 211, the binder can be identified as George Chastelaine, who died in 1513 (Pearson, Oxford, p. 129). Two clasps in situ on lower board. Title written horizontally, top to bottom, on fore-edge.

Place of binding: 
Oxford
Date range for binding: 
1502--1513

Hosting Information

Number of manuscripts represented: 
1
Number of fragments: 
2

Further information

Provenance: 
  • Samuel Harsnett (1561–1631), archbishop of York, 1629–31.
Bibliography: 
Date last updated: 
Thursday, April 22, 2021 - 16:37