A unique Sammelband of works printed by Jacques Kerver and his widow 1575

[Book of Hours, use of Rome] Heures de nost[re] Dame a l’usage de Rome// nouvelleme[nt] imprimees a Paris / avec plusieurs belles histoires/ tant au Calendrier aux Heures de nostre Dame/ aux heures de la Croix/ aux heures du Saint Esprit/ aux sept Psalmes que aux Sigiles/ avex la Table

Paris: Jacques Kerver, 1575

[Bound with:]

Alphabet et instruction des Chrestiens // La Patenostre que nostre Seigneur Jesus Christ feit

[Bound with:]

S’ensyuent les Vespres du Dimanches/ hymnes communes/a recommendaces des trespassez. Psalmus

Paris: Kerver 1579

[Bound with:]

Propositions, dicts, et sentences, contenans les grâces/fruicts/ prouffits/ utilitez/ et louanges dy tre sacres et digne Sacrement de Lautel / pour ceux qui le reçoivent en estat de grâce: extraicts de plusieurs saincts Docteurs.

Paris: Chez la veuve Jacques Kerver, 1584

A unique sammelband of Catholic works printed by Jacques Kerver (1535–1583) and his widow, Blanche Marentin (1583–1585)”, bound in a contemporary blind panelled calf binding. 8vo (157 x 95 mm), 4 works in 1; col. A1 ¶8 A7 b8 -v8 r4 y8-z8 A8-E8 A8 B4 A8-R8 S4; 762 pp. In Latin and French. All works complete, July’s calendar leaf misbound and with title page of book of hours bound before the Alphabet and Patenostre; printed in black and red, with the Unicorn printer’s device and mottos ‘Modum Filius/Delectus qvemad/Unicornum psal xxviii’, date rubbed, upper right corner repaired with loss of some letters, waterstaining and fraying across the lower edge throughout the volume, minor scattered worm holes affecting small sections and occasional spotting, lacking portions of outer margins in places.

Printed in large gothic script within ruling, the first three works in black and red. In total, 62 full-page woodcut illustrations including the life of Christ, the Three-Faced Holy Trinity, Old Testament, and life scenes in the Calendar as well as the Anatomical Man. 54 small woodcut scenes throughout text. Two exlibris labels to front pastedown, one of which of Claire Mendel. Contemporary dark calf with blind panel design, a possible remboîtage, double blind ruled with motif of musical cherubs, central panel of front board with blind lettering ‘M*D*W’, ‘5*P*2’, ‘1565’ and small floral ornaments, back board central panel with stamped floral motifs, bevelled edges, missing clasps; Rebacked to style, gilt lettering, raised bands, back board reinforced and repaired.

A unique and rare compilation of works printer by the last members of the notable printing Kerver family, Jacques and his widow Blanche Marentin. The first work is an extremely rare reprint of Kerver’s books of hours, initially published by his father, Thielman Kerver, and mother, Yolande Bonhomme – reusing the woodcut blocks from previous editions. It opens on a calendar with full-page illustrations, followed by the Gospels, hourly prayers and hymns, as well prayers for the vigil of the dead. The second work is a short Alphabet and the Paternoster prayers in Latin and French, which appear before the Hour’s calendar. The third work, also by Jacques Kerver, is a separately printing of the Sunday Vespers, common hymns, and rites of the dead. The fourth work is the last reprint of Kerver’s extracts of Propositions, dictations, and sentences from Holy Men, published by Blanche Marentin after Jacques Kerver’s death and shortly before her own. It includes a small suite of woodcuts depicting the Passion of Christ.

This last work is an enlightening example of the work of women printers after their husbands’ death, as widows were the only women allowed to run or own businesses according to legislation in sixteenth-century France. In fact, it was this right that allowed Jacques to take over the publishing business established by Thielman, as it flourished in the hands of his mother Yolande, after her husband’s death, with the continuous production of liturgical books and books of hours – being the first woman to publish a Bible. However, in Blanche’s case, the business was sold before her death including its stock and privileges, to a company of several major Parisian booksellers.

 These are all extremely scarce titles in institutions, with only two copies of the Book of Hours registered (Bodleian and Paris), and only one copy of the other three titles in French institutions.

Literature:

(1) USTC 5285 (2) USTC 60155 (3) USTC  62154 (4) USTC 75195

Not in Lacombe, Livres d’heures imprimes au XVe et au XVIe siècle.

Walker, Evelyn A. “The Cover Design.” The Library Quarterly: Information, Community, Policy, vol. 74, no. 4, 2004, 469–71; Culp, Darrah, “05, Kerver’s Widow and Female Printers in Sixteenth-Century France” (2018). Kerver Book of Hours: 2018 Senior Capstone. 9.; Majeski, Anna. ‘The printed books of hours of Thielman Kerver: exploring printer, shop, community and book.’ 2012.