Unknown author

German Catholic Devotional Manuscript. 17th century.

[7 × 5 in.]. 605 handwritten pages, two rear blanks. [German]. Fair.

A substantial 17th-century German Catholic devotional manuscript with more than 600 handwritten pages of prayers, offices, chaplets, and other devotions. The manuscript is divided into numbered parts, with individual prayers and sections throughout, many introduced by larger decorative headings.

Some of the more interesting identified contents include prayers devoted to the Passion and wounds of Christ, including the Five Wounds and the wound in Christ’s shoulder. There is also an Officium oder Tagzeiten connected in the text with St. Gertrude and Christ, with the unusual phrase “von Wort zu Wort,” and prayers arranged around the devotional hours. Other highlights include Marian chaplets and prayers, the Seven Sorrows, and an extended Mary Magdalene devotion consisting of seven deep or heartfelt sighs associated with Mary Magdalene at the feet of Jesus. Additional sections include prayers for enemies, obtaining grace, spiritual concerns, and penitential and confessional material.

What makes the manuscript especially interesting is the amount and variety of devotional material contained together in one volume, particularly the combination of Christ’s Passion and wounds, St. Gertrude, Mary Magdalene, Marian devotion, and the structured Hours. The St. Gertrude material is particularly noteworthy because she is explicitly connected with the devotional text rather than simply appearing as an incidental reference.

Written throughout in German cursive in brown ink, with larger decorative headings, manuscript pagination, and text framed within ruled double-line borders. Contemporary full leather over boards with five raised spine bands, remnants of an early clasp, and marbled endpapers. Early bookseller notes on the first page and occasional later pencil marginalia.

Heavy rubbing and shelf wear to the binding, bumped corners, and splitting at the head of the rear joint. Text block with substantial age toning, dampstaining and handling grime; scattered corner chipping and losses, dog-ears, and worming, becoming heavier from approximately p. 420 onward. Some text faded or difficult to read. Upper portion of p. 581 largely missing, and approximately the final dozen leaves have central tears. A few pagination errors. Two rear blanks; no front blank.