I often regret not having taken German, if only to be able to properly read beautiful German and Pennsylvania German fraktur lettering, but the beauty of this manuscript certainly transcends written language, and perhaps feels all the holier for my lack of capacity to readily translate it! It is what I believe would properly be described as a devotional (a prayer book, but infused with personal reflections, meditations etc.) With the assistance of AI, translation of one passage here: Most holy Mary, mother of God, you my bearer and safest refuge offer me your protection today; behold, I will entrust myself to your motherly arms. I pray through this difficult time. Preserve my love, bless me...) On and on. Spending a little time on translation, it feels quite infused with urgency and immediacy to me! (Making me thing of Mexican ex voto retablos, too.)
Photos give a good sense--not every page documented, but most of those with drawings or beautifully lettered headers, all executed in strong blue ink, with sepia details here and there (reading as golden beams of light!), and carefully inked borders on every page. And the most beautiful drawing of all the one on the cover I think, as sensitive and evocative portrayal of Jesus crucified on the cross in crown of thorns as could be--and with the wear to the cover making him seem all the more like an ethereal vision! Nice cloth wrap to the spine, too. Quite a thing.
5 13/16" x 3 11/16". 20 pages filled on both sides plus covers. Wear to the cover as evident but overall in very good condition, ink strong and readable throughout. Stains and toning here and there as documented, as there should be! I believe mid 19th century or so.
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