Privilegieboek van den Jongen Handboge (Privilege-book of the Young Handbow) of Antwerp (Guild of St. Sebastian); in Dutch, illustrated manuscript on parchment

BOOK DESCRIPTION: EXQUISITELY WRITTEN AND DECORATED MANUSCRIPT FOR AN EARLY ARCHERY GUILD.

In Dutch, illustrated manuscript on parchment, Belgium, Antwerp, c. 1575 with 17th-century additions. Dimensions 273-275 x 187 mm., complete, frame-ruled in faint rust-brown ink (justification 215-218×135-137 mm.), written below top line by three scribes, the main scribe writing an elegant gothic script with some cursive elements (semi-hybrida) in 22-32 lines, the second scribe annotating the first in a less formal semi-hybrida currens, the third scribe working in a gothic script (semi-hybrida) in 15-25 lines.

BINDING: Bound in 1783 in black leather over beveled boards, elaborately tooled in gold, gilt-tooled spine.

TEXT: A collection of statutes, ordinances, privileges, and other documents for an early archery guild in Antwerp. One of only a small number of extant militia guild privilege-books, this is the sole known example from the Jongen Handboge ('Young Handbow').

ILLUSTRATION: The very skillful decoration in this volume is one of its outstanding features, with 29 large ornate decorated initials in black ink and two smaller initials; most are highly flourished cadel initials, with finely drawn figures including birds and animals integrated into the elaborate patterns of interlaced pen-strokes, FOUR DRAWINGS (two full-page, one half-page, one small) and FULL-PAGE DIAGRAM evince a high degree of technical skill with precise outlines and sensitive three-dimensional modelling, creating an effect reminiscent of fine engraving.

PROVENANCE: Main text copied in Dutch, in Antwerp, in 1575 by Hans Verrast for the Jongen Handboge ("Young Handbow"). The main hand and illustrations are consistent with this date. Additions through c.1648 situate the manuscript in possession of the guild until at least the latter year; date of the guild's dissolution is uncertain; acquired by the van Havre family of Antwerp in the Dutch Era in the Dutch Era ("den Hollandschen tijd") – i.e., 1814-1830; with several brief inscriptions and other marks, including: ". 1823" and "Gurtram ," along with two pasted-in heraldic bookplates, one bearing the legend "Ex Libris / A.v.Billet";

CONDITION: some rippling and mild edge-gap at ff. 22 and 29, light scuffing of binding, but otherwise in very fine condition. Full description and images available. (TM 1104)