[Illustrated French calligraphic manuscript].

Oblong 8vo (ca. 215 x 175 mm). (11), (8 blank) ff. Calligraphic exercises in French, written in a French civilit with some first lines in a French cursive or gothic hand. With 9 larger decorated initials, containing extensive ink-drawn illustrations in contemporary hand colour, showing an armoured knight on horseback, birds, dragons and other fabulous beasts, a pierced heart, etc. Some letters with extensive flourishes in the margins, many of them showing ink-drawn human faces. Contemporary limp vellum, loosely stored in a modern marbled paperboard folder within a matching marbled slipcase. French calligraphic manuscript, containing 11 unnumbered leaves of calligraphic exercises. Most of them are small verses (often six lines), but the collection also contains a letter to a friend and complete alphabets. The manuscript is visually very appealing, and calligraphic manuscripts with decoration like the present one are rare: it comprises vividly decorated initials and numerous flourishes in the margins, which also contain small drawings of faces. - The manuscript was very likely manufactured in the 1640s, a period in which France took over the lead from the Dutch in the publication of writing books. Calligraphy flourished in the 17th century, as it continued to evolve. Flourishing became more important, including calligraphic drawings of human and mythical figures, animals, birds, monsters etc. The present manuscript, with its elaborate decorative alphabets, embellishing and initials, is a beautiful example of this development in calligraphy. - Some dates appear in the manuscript, one on the first page reading "1634", another one "1636", while the letter itself is dated 5 June 1643. Therefore we can assume that the manuscript as a whole was made ca. 1640-1645, with at least the last leaves written after 1643. It is possible that the other leaves were also written after 1643, but it could also be around this year, as the ink and style of the hand appears to be slightly thinner there. - Altogether a beautiful example of a calligraphic exercise book, here in manuscript, which is not only visually appealing, but which also beautifully reflects the popularity of calligraphy manuals and copybooks in the 17th century and the strong focus on flourishing and decoration which were more frequently added to letters or words. - Slipcase only slightly worn around the edges, marbled paper on the spine of the folder cracked. Limp vellum detached from the leaves and worn, first three leaves and 11th leaf loose, paper edges frayed, some foxing throughout (especially to the blanks), a few stains barely affecting the text, first blank at the end almost gone and last blank half gone, but overall in fine condition.