The Winchester Psalter : With 134 Illustrations

Harvey Miller and Medcalf, London, first edition, 1973. Cloth, folio, 39 cm,. 128 pp, 134 ills (including 4 in colour), facs. From the blurb: " This is the first detailed and authoritative monograph on one of the most splendid English twelfth century Psalters, British Museum Cotton Manuscript Nero C IV. The Psalter was written and illuminated at Winchester about 1140-1160, possibly for Henry of Blois, Bishop of Winchester. He was the brother of King Stephen and one of the most powerful prelates of his day, and is known to have been a collector and lover of works of art: it would be highly probable that Henry would order a great Psalter for his personal use. The manuscript contains 38 pages of miniatures illustrating the Old and New Testaments, which are representative of English Romanesque painting at its height. Fantasy, skill, narrative power, outstanding draftsmanship, humour, drama - all abound in overwhelmingly powerful and fascinating miniatures. Professor Wormald's text discusses the history, content, style, quality and significance of the Psalter; his text is supported by comparative illustrations. There are detailed descriptive notes on each miniature, full transcriptions of the Calendar, a discussion of the Litany, the initials and the two Byzantine-style pages which have puzzled scholars in the past. Walter Oakeshott's copy, with the Calendar section extensively annotated by him in pencil, and with letters to him from Honoria Wormald, K.F. Flynn and Murray Davison concerning the subject matter of the book laid in. Near Very Good in a used and edgeworn dustwrapper which is somewhat stained on its inside face.