ANTIPHONALE MONASTICUM PRO FESTIS ABBBATIALIBUS - ORIGINAL HARDCOVER MANUSCRIPT ANTIPHONY HOUSED IN CUSTOM-MADE FULL LEATHER HAT-BOX COVER LIKELY 18TH CENTURY

Appears to be 1725 as Author has given date in 'secret' code by writing at bottom of the title page a sentence mostly in black ink which has certain letters in red ink as capitalized Roman numerals which up to 1725. Full title: Antiphonale Monasticum pro Festis Abbatialibus cum Suis Commencorationibus Ferial : Dominical: et Festivis Concurr: Mann Nota in Sequetem Ordinem Dispositum . Anno quo Fata LI se C +Is Ioseph I f Vnere a VenIs, Nostrae EngleLberto sVnt Data IVra Mitrae. (The capitalized letters written in red ink in final two lines add up to the date 1725.) Hardcover, full rich red leather book with full gilt decoration on leather. Book measures 9 x 12 inches; 31 x 22.5 cm. Text is 1-1/4 inches thick ( 3 cm. ) All edges gilt. 292 pages (of which about 40 are blank). All manuscript entries in Red and Black ink throughout. Many pages have black block notes on music scores with lyrics. Indexed. Book is clearly incomplete and a work in progress as there are pencil-drawn guidelines and partially completed pages in addition to completed pages. VG, spine worn. Binding secure. Book is housed in a custom-made matching hardcover box measuring 13 x 9-1/2 inches, which is fully covered in leather in the shape of a book . The book has hand -painted floral endpapers and the box is lined with a similar (but not exactly the same) hand-painted floral and geometric design. Both end papers and box lining is done in matching maroon, tan and purple colors. Box is a finely constructed pull-apart flattened hatbox type of box. All writing is done neatly, carefully and artistically. Book is Good plus with light wear, rubbing and staining but still intact with no major faults at all, no cracks, no chips. Text pages are near Fine with no foxing and almost no spots, a faint bit of rippling only. Box is VG but does have some spots of wear, a bit of light fraying along some edges but not broken and quite secure. Beautiful - a unique and wonderful item. Pictures sent on request. .