Description
Approximate Reading Time, 1 minutes.
ANTIPHONALE CISTERCIENSE… IN BELGIO. Westmallensis: Fratres Abbatiae, 1842.
SIZE: Approx. 17″ x 11″.
The present example with numerous additions/revisions in manuscript (early to mid 1900s) tipped over portions or replacing some portions. Bound in period calf boards with metal studs at bottom.
A Trappist choir book for singing the Divine Office in Belgium. This antiphonal remained in continual use in various monasteries for many decades, likely up until around the 1970s. Various revisions, redactions and additions are found within. It’s most recent home was the Trappist monastery at Mepkin Abbey, from which it was recently deaccessioned. A slip of paper pasted to the rear pastedown includes a note to “Use Old Antiphonary whenever possible.” This advice was clearly followed. In all, a fascinating, imposing volume which has clearly reached the age of retirement but bears the intriguing battle-scars of serving its intended purpose for a very long time.
Condition: Binding barely intact, many detached leaves, various repairs of a utilitarian nature (tape, old paper, etc.), soiling, some leaves removed (and replaced in manuscript), appears to lack some leaves at end, a charmingly defective relic, Sold as is with all faults, no returns.
1842 Antiphonale Cisterciense
