Two leaves from a Book of Hours, in Latin. France (Paris or Tours), ca. 1500. Reed MSF65.
In his preface to A.H. Reed’s book Rare books and manuscripts: the story of the Dunedin Public Library’s Alfred and Isabel Reed Collection (1968), the town clerk J.G. Lucas wrote:
“This gift is a living memorial to Alfred and Isabel Reed because it has been endowed by the donor to ensure that funds are available to purchase further materials as it comes available.”
Today, funding for Reed acquisitions comes from the Library budget and the interest on the Alfred, Isabel and Marian Reed Trust. This case contains a few highlights of books purchased for the Reed Collection during the last decade.
Both leaves of this French book of hours feature a rectangular miniature at the foot of the page. In the first, a monkey-like figure carries another on its back, alongside an angry-looking stork-like bird. The text is from Vespers (evening prayers) of the Hours of the Virgin.
The second depicts two rather angry-looking birds. The text is from Mark 16:15-16.
Like many such illustrations, the characterful and unusual miniatures bear no relation to the text above. Perhaps they represent a world turned upside down, in which the natural order of things is inverted; or one in which the grotesque is kept marginal, like gargoyles on a church façade, kept away from the sacred interior.
These leaves were purchased in 2025 for the Reed Collection from Maggs Bros of London in commemoration of the 150th birthday of A.H. Reed.
Two leaves from a Book of Hours, in Latin. France (Paris or Tours), ca. 1500. Reed MSF65.
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