New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-08-17
Rare Book of Durer
Miniatures Comes
ToLight in Geneva
Little Volume, Probably the
Most Valuable of Size in
World, Is About 6 to Z
Inches Long and 4 Wide

An extraordinary discovery of great
artistic Importance has been recently
made in Geneva. Some unknown work
Of the great spirit, Albert Durer has
come to light. The matter is thus re-
ported In "The London Observer"
what is probably the most valuable
book for it's size in the world has been
discovered recently in Geneva. Ger
tainly it is the most under discussion
at the moment. No art treasure of
equal Importance has come to light for
many years. and this little book is al
ready the object of lively interest
among continental bbliophilcs and art
lovers
"The history Of the discovery is brief
Some years ago the eminent Florentine
publisher and collector of MSS. Leo
Olschki, purchased an Illuminated MS.
OF the early sixteenth century from
bookseller in Nuremberg. The MS was
sent to Geneva, where Mr.. Olschki has
fine collection of MSS, old printed
books etc. and it was there shown to
M. Delarue, curator of the art depart
ment of the museum. While examin-
ing the illuminated miniatures con-
tanned in the MS. NJ. Delarue noticed
on one of the signature "A. D. in the
form Of the unmistakable monogram Of
Albert Durer, the great painter of
Nuremberg.
ALREADY the MS. had been remarked
for its excellence. After a careful in
spection, lasting over week, eleven
miniatures in all were seen to be signed
IN the same way, and minute examna-
tlon by the most competent authorities
verified the supposition that here was
an original and unknown work of the
famous artist.
Apart from the consummate skill
and great beauty of execution bestowed
upon it, the importance of the dis
covery lies in the fact that until now
Albert Durer was not known to have
included miniature illumination among
the many branches Of art in which he
excelled. The master hand in the wood
cut, in line engraving, and in oils. is
now seen to have been master hand
in illumination as we'll
CAS- the unique known example of
his own work of this kind and the only
MS. extant Illuminated by painter Of
the very highest order, the value Of the
book is immense, almost incalculable.
A single painting by so great master
would be valued to-day at many thou
sands of dollars, and eleven are here.
Of the very best. and together in one
book!
Bound in dull green morocco the
volume is vellum MS. about six to
seven inches in length by four in
breadth. The subject of the text, which
is done in black and of indifferent
illumination and design is the His
tory of the Passion, Il popular enough
work in the fifteenth century, and
especially in Germany, and on the last
page is the date-Anno Domini 1921
Bound up in this text are twenty-three
superb miniatures -four by three and
half, painted with gold and colors
on the vellum, Of exquisite workman
ship. brilliant coloring and striking
design.
eleven of these have so been &C
credited to Durer, and the remaining
twelve, only very slightly inferior in
execution, are evidently the work Of q
pupil, possibly of Nicholas Glockendon
from whose hand several miniatures
after Durer are known and to whom
this MS. was ascribed by its previous
owner. The Durer signature, though
often not obvious if not looked for. is
clearly marked and is generally in the
form Of the usual monogram, D sur
mounted by a larger A."