KOLLER VIEW 1/25

0 2 pre view. 12 Books of hours and private correspondence Preview of the Books &Autographs auction on 26March 2025 Books can be faithful companions throughout life. In the late Middle Ages, however, they also served anoth- er purpose: books of hours organised a person’s day according to prayer times. With painted miniatures, they lent the pious daily routine an additional aesthetic dimension that has lost none of its fascination to this day. Our upcoming auction of books and autographs brings together some beautiful examples of books of hours from the 15 th and early 16 th centuries, which cap- ture the worth of Christian salvation in equally precious images and ornaments in splendid colours and gold (ill. 3). With the invention of movable type printing, the book gradually lost its main religious function as a prayer book. As a companion through life, however, it was now able to develop in a completely new way. Not only the salvation of souls, but also the practical benefits of technology and science made books the primary Euro- pean medium over the centuries. As always, the range of books in our auction offers insights into the most di- verse corners of Gutenberg’s legacy, from 16 th -century herbariums to 17 th -century Dutch atlases, as well as modern editions with artists’ illustrations (ill. 1). Some topics are always in vogue: a section is dedicated to editions of the Song of Songs from the Bible, and the sale includes six centuries of prints and engravings. Since the invention of printing, anyone who wanted to communicate their knowledge and opinions not to the whole of humanity, but only to dear friends and relatives, took up the pen. Letters and cards were the medium of private communication. The artist Oskar 1 A selection of modern book bindings from the Books & Autographs auction 2 Master of 1515 (Italy, 16 th century). Entablature and a trophy. Circa 1524. Etching. 27.5 × 22 cm. Estimate: CHF 10 000/15 000 3 HORAE B.M.V. – Book of hours. Latin manuscript on vellum. With 14 large miniatures. Estimate: CHF 25 000/40 000 4 Neunte deutsche Bibel. With 109 wood engravings. Nuremberg, Anton Koberger, 1483. Estimate: CHF 40 000/60 000 1 2 Kokoschka (1886–1980) wrote particularly beautiful let- ters, an extensive collection of which will be offered in the upcoming auction. 3 For further information Books & Autographs Dr Andreas Terwey terwey@kollerauctions.com Online catalogues www.kollerauctions.com