Missale Romanum

1627

de Beer Lc 1627 C

[Antwerp]: Officina Plantiniana

The condition of this Romanum Missale proves the theory that big books survive better than smaller ones, with only the black morocco covers scuffed and slightly damaged. The centrepiece is a gilt double-headed eagle which is a common symbol in heraldry, often associated with the Byzantine and Holy Roman Empires. In this instance, the coat of arms belongs to the Savelli, an old Italian (Roman) noble family, who over centuries produced a number of popes. This book was likely owned by Frabrizio Savelli (1607-1659), an Italian military leader, commander of papal troops and later, a Catholic Cardinal. It has a rounded spine with no raised bands, which suggest that it was later rebound. It was gifted to Special Collections by Willi Fels in 1946.