BEDFORD "BOOK OF HOURS."

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20038, 20 September 1930, Page 13

BEDFORD "BOOK OF HOURS."

A NATIONAL TREASURE.

The trustees of the British Museum announced at the end of July that arrangements had been made which will secure for Great Britain not only the Lnttrell Psalter but also the Bedford "Book of Hours," the fate of which was in the balance up to the last minute.

The trustees had to raise £19,0*00 in order to save the Bedford • "Book of Hours," one of the most beautiful examples of early English art, dating from the reign of Henry IV. The appeal within a fortnight met with a response so fan', satisfactory as to bring the balance needed within such limits that the trustees and the National Art Collections Fund could, at the cost of greatly straining their resources, complete the purchase; and this both bodies agreed to do. ■ ■ Tlioy were led to this decision in part by their own sense of the historic and artistic importance of these manuscripts and. in part by their appreciation of the enthusiasm for their acquisition Shown by very many who could themselves only contribute small sums. For this successful result the trustees are indebted first and foremost to the magnificent generosity of Mr Pierpont Morgan, Who once again showed his friendship to England and to the British Museum by an act • of selfdenying liberality on a grand fictile f next, to the National Art Collections . Fund, who drew most liberally on their rosources and used their influence with their members and the public. At the last moment it was their a«*ion that was the decisive factor. Finally the trustees have to thank a great multitude of subscribers, often of small sums, whose contributions and encouragement have made this result possible. , „ The Bedford "Book of Hours' —a beautifully illustrated manuscript—was executed at the instructions of John First Duke of Bedford. Tt contains more than 3QO delicately painted miniatures of nobles, ladies, yeomen, soldiers, and others of the time of Agincourt. One of the portraits has been identified as that of Henry IV. himself. The book was put up for auction from the Weld Collection at Lulworth Castle in July last year. Mr Pierpont Morgan informed the trustees of the British Museum that they could purchase it, and he would provide the money free of interest for one year. The book cost ' £-33,000, and towards, this sum the trustees of the British Museum had raised £13,900. Had the money not been raised the book would have gone to the library of Mr Pierpont Morgan.