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THE DURAZZO BOOK OF HOURS.
De Marchi, Andrea
Facsimile with accompanying hardcover commentary
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One of 980 copies. The Libro d'Ore Durazzo, which takes its name from its last owner, is a small masterpiece by the painter and illuminator, Francesco Marmitta. This remarkable work is in two ways quite different from all other devotional codices for private use. One is the use of purple parchment. The other is chrysography, or writing in letters of gold the work of the master calligrapher, Pietro Antonio Sallando, who taught at the University of Bologna.
The illumination work of a goldsmith and jeweller: The illumination work is by the painter from Parma, Francesco Marmitta (circa 1462/1466-1505) also a renowned jeweller and inlayer, and the creator of other splendid works such as the stunning Missal of Domenico della Rovere, belonging to the museum of the municipality of Turin (Museo Civico di Torino). The leafs of these masterpieces reflect the artists sensitivity and delicacy, his marked interest in landscapes, and his taste for jewellery, medals and cameos, illustrated with extraordinary skill.
Embellishment of the highest order: Marmittas references to the revived classic tradition indicate a meditative approach. This aspect comes to the fore in his use of purple and of gold lettering, and is also underscored by his use of motifs such as trophies, medallions, cameos and bucrania. However, as a painter, the approach adopted for the Calendar and Offices of the Virgin reveals his awareness of the latest tendencies reflected in the culture of the figurative arts in Bologna, and a special interest in the work of Amico Aspertini.
The refinement of the binding: The works lavishly elegant binding dates back to the time of the codex itself, and the love of embellishments is as evident here as in the illuminations. The binding features wrought and embossed silver, in part gilded, on crimson velvet. It also features a splendid profusion of classical motifs (acanthus and palmette motifs, ears of wheat, grapes, vases, masks, scarabs and bucrania). The silver clasps are adorned with two small rubies.
Patronage: A number of stylistic clues seem to indicate that the Libro dOre Durazzo was commissioned by a patron from Parma. We may also note Parmigianinos well-known Portrait of a Collector (London, National Gallery), in which the collector holds in his hand precisely this codex. It is believed that the codex accompanied Francesco Marmittas second son, Jacopo, to Portugal. However, in the nineteenth century it was in Genoa. Firstly, it was in the hands of the merchant, Antonio Bacigalupo, who inherited it from his father, Francesco, and then in the hands of the Marquis Marcello Luigi Durazzo a collector, who, having purchased it from Bacigalupos widow, then bequeathed it to the Biblioteca Berio.
The Commentary: The work is accompanied by a book with commentary, edited by Andrea De Marchi, with writings by Beatrice Bentivoglio-Ravasio, Andrea De Marchi, Davide Gasparotto, Laura Malfatto, Laura Nuvoloni and Federica Toniolo.
Facsimile is present with the accompanying commentary and a clamshell case.
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Books of related interests - -
> Mulas, Pier Luigi, THE TORRIANI BOOK OF HOURS.
> Medica, Massimo, THE BOOK OF HOURS OF BONAPARTE GHISLIERI.
> MANOSCRITTI INCUNABVLI E LIBRI FIGVRATI.
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FOLLOWING ABRAHAM LINCOLN 1809-1865
by Wall, Bernhard
Set #1 of 76 (Weber, pages 38-41). Complete set of 85 volumes, plus one of the two ancillary volumes and a portfolio of ephemera related to the books and/or Abraham Lincoln. There are 1035 etchings total, with some volumes having as many as 16 plates and others as few as 8, while most had 10 or 11. As this set was issued over an 11-year time period, complete sets are very difficult to find (Lincoln National Life Foundation, renamed The Lincoln Museum, Harvard, University of Chicago, and the Library of Congress have complete sets of 85). As Weber notes "Though Wall generally lists the number of copies, he seldom reached more than half that goal. Hence, the use of those data are more academic than factual"(24). There is some doubt whether or not all 76 sets were completed. Each of the books are dedicated to different people, including Henry E. Huntington, Carl Sandburg, and Stephen Vincent Benet. Volume 60 and volume 85 are indexes. Wall had originally envisioned a series of only 15 volumes, then he felt the series would end at 60 (hence the index), but began what he termed a supplemental series which ultimately concluded at 85. There were two ancillary volumes, one of which is present here, that contain two etchings of Wall, a tipped-in newspaper clipping and other related materials. In addition to the 85 volumes, there is a portfolio of ephemera having to do with Abraham Lincoln and/or the set of books. There are 14 brochures of tourist information about various Lincoln-related sites. There are five letters to or from George Lee Williams and two photostats of a document, dated October 25, 1952, from Mr. Williams giving information about the set and how he acquired it from Mr. Merl Kimmel in 1950. The most important item in the packet of ephemera is the ancillary volume. It has two more etchings by Wall and an article from the Los Angeles Times dated September 5, 1950, about Bernhardt Wall. Attached to this volume, by two paperclips, is a handwritten note "George - Found this right after you left in the desk drawer with some other stuff. Merl. Also forgot to tell you, - your set is #1, & the only set ever made."
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