Two-colour woodcut leaf of choral music, c.1500–1525

Two-colour woodcut leaf of choral music, c.1500–1525

A two-colour double-sided woodcut leaf (recto page CXXXII [132]), of choral music in Latin from a Graduate Romanum (aka Gradual Roman—a liturgical book used in the Mass (liturgical service) of the Roman Catholic Church), c.1500–1525.

At centre on the recto side of this leaf features lines of Latin which help to clarify the context of the music: “Sequitur de Sanctis. In die Sancti Andree Introitus.” Broadly translated to read: “Here follows a sequence [of chants] about the saints beginning with Saint Andrew the Apostle.” Interestingly, the square diamond shapes of the musical notations printed in black, (indicating the pitch of each note), evolved from the natural angle of quill strokes in which the very first scores were inscribed.

Woodcut leaf printed recto and verso in two colours (red and black) on fine laid paper (with watermark) with full margins as published.

Size: 35.8 x 24.8 cm.

Condition: strong lifetime impressions showing no sign of wear to the printing blocks/plates. There are minor handling marks (especially at the lower left corner) as is appropriate to the age of the leaf and its use, otherwise, the sheet is in a good condition with no tears, holes, folds or significant stains.

This Renaissance period woodcut leaf of choral music is offered for AU$279 (approx. US$183.09, EUR 156.54, or GBP 136.15), express shipping is included globally. Import duties are the responsibility of the buyer.

If you are interested in purchasing this marvellous example of early music notation from c.1500–1525, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold