Art Funded by you

Missale ad Usum Sarum (Sarum Missal)

William Caxton, 1487

This missal is the only surviving copy of the first ever edition of the pre-Reformation English prayer book and contains the first instance of Caxton's use of his publisher's mark as well as being an exceptionally early example of dual-colour printing. It is the same edition as the one said to have been in the Shrine of Edward the Confessor in Westminster Abbey but which does not survive. This work was part of the original book collection at Lyme Park when it was handed over to the National Trust in 1946 and it enhances the book's national importance to see it redisplayed in the house where it resided for five centuries. This work was acquired with assistance from the Wolfson Foundation.

More information

Title of artwork, date

Missale ad Usum Sarum (Sarum Missal), 1487

Date supported

2008

Medium and material

Ink on paper, leather binding

Dimensions

34 x 24 cm

Grant

100000

Total cost

465492

Content note: This object record is part of our archive and has not been updated since it was first published. It may contain inaccurate information or outdated language. Please get in touch if you think this record should be amended.

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