Book Fairs | April 8, 2012

Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts at New York ABF

PARIS--For more than half a century the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair has attracted thousands of book collectors and connoisseurs to see important acquisitions presented by as many as 200 of the world’s most renowned dealers in rare and collectible books and manuscripts.

This year is no exception as LES ENLUMINURES (www.lesenluminures.com) gallery of Paris and Chicago is bringing what owner Sandra calls, “A wonderful Rare First Edition of a geographical, historical and linguistic account of Helvetia or the Swiss Confederacy composed in hexameters by Henricus Glareanus.  He was a nationalist who was one of the foremost humanists of the period.  Finely rubricated and hand-colored, this 1514 copy includes extensive annotations and a contemporary manuscript section by an unknown author, likely a student in the close circle of Glareanus and Osvaldus Myconius which, with modifications, was used for the commentary published under the name of Myconius in the second Basel 1519 edition.”

“This Glareanus is in Latin with German translation and with a few words in Greek and German.  It is an imprint on paper, hand-colored. The manuscript is on paper.  The imprint is Basel, Adam Petri, 1514 and Basel c1515.”

“I always look forward to bringing interesting new acquisitions to this popular New York book event, where I see many long time clients,” Hindman adds.  “The strength of the market here is one reason I am expanding and opening a New York gallery on May 1st at a period townhouse at 23 East 73 Street.  Now I will be more accessible to New York clients and can host special shows several times a year.  I am very pleased to be expanding beyond my Paris gallery of twenty years and my long time Chicago office.”

Other highlights at the Les Enluminures stand at the NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL ANTIQUARIAN BOOK FAIR April 12 - 15 include a decorated manuscript in Latin, copied in the circle of the eminent humanists Marcus Tullius Cicero and Pietro Marso and likely created between 1481-91 and certainly after 1471-72.

Hindman says, “It is based on two editions of Cicero’s De Officiis, one printed in Paris in 1471-72 by the Sorbonne Press, and the other printed first in Venice in 1481, of the first edition of Pietro Marso’s influential commentary.  The humanist scribe (Heynlin?) of the present manuscript was clearly a careful reader of both imprints, and it seems likely that this codex was a preparatory manuscript for another edition of Cicero by the Sorbonne Press.”

The New York International Antiquarian Book Fair is sanctioned by the International League of Antiquarian Booksellers and exhibitors must be members of the League of the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America.

Les Enluminures is well known for offering exceptional examples of Medieval and Renaissance miniatures, manuscripts, stained glass and finger rings at both its Paris gallery and at fairs in New York, Paris, TEFAF Maastricht, Florence, San Francisco and London.

Sandra Hindman founded Les Enluminures gallery in Paris 20 years ago at Le Louvre des Antiquaires, opposite The Louvre, and has seen it become among the top ranked sources for the most significant manuscripts and art entering the market. Dr. Hindman is Professor Emerita at Northwestern University, where she twice headed the Art History Department.

Hindman divides her time between her Paris gallery, her offices in Chicago and her soon to open New York gallery.  She has written many books and catalogues on the subject.

IF YOU GO

Galerie LES ENLUMINURES
 
NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL ANTIQUARIAN BOOK FAIR
 
April  12 - 15 PARK AVENUE ARMORY AT 67TH STREET
 
Preview Thursday April 12 from 5 - 9pm
Friday 12-8   Sat 12 - 7    Sunday 12 - 5
 
and at Le Louvre des Antiquaires,
2 Place du Palais-Royal,
75001 Paris (France)
Tel: +33 1 42 60 15 58
 
And opening May 2-
Les Enluminures in New York
23 East 73 Street
info@lesenluminures.com
www.lesenluminures.com