Der Psalter mit kurzen Summarien und Gebetlein für die Hausveter und ihre Kinder

This calligraphic masterpiece is a manuscript copy of Nicolaus Selnecker’s popular edition of the Psalms in Martin Luther’s translation supplemented by Selnecker’s summaries and prayers in verse first printed in 1572. The master calligrapher Johannes Kirchring the Elder from Riga labored from 1592 to 1600 to produce the manuscript for Count Johann VII of Oldenburg and Delmenhorst. Kirchring executed nine pages in intricate micrographic designs. One page contains the Oldenburg coat of arms outlined with micrographic writing and embellished with gold. Above the coat of arms are the initials D. G. H. I. E., which are taken from the title of Selnecker’s hymn on the facing page, “Durch Gott hab’ ichs erhalten” (I have obtained it through God). The coat of arms and the initials also appear in the silver centerpiece of the front cover.

Created between 1592 and 1600 in Oldenburg, Germany, by Johannes Kirchring the Elder from Riga for Count Johann VII von Oldenburg and Delmenhorst (1540–1603);[1] By descent in 1603 to Count Anton Günther von Oldenburg (1583–1667); By bequest in 1667 to Count Anton von Aldenburg (1633–1680);[2] By descent in 1680 to Count Anton II von Aldenburg (1681–1738); By descent in 1738 to Charlotte Sophia von Aldenburg (1715–1800), wife of William Bentinck (1704–1774);[3] By bequest in 1800 to their grandson, William Bentinck (1764–1813);[4] Via widowhood in 1813 to Frances Augusta Pierrepont Bentinck (1781–1847); Gifted in 1832 to her son, Charles Aldenburg Bentinck (1810–1891);[5] By descent in 1891 to Henry Aldenburg Bentinck (1852–1938).[6] Sold in 1994 at auction.[7] Acquired by 2010 by Ladislaus von Hoffman for the Arcana Collection;[8] Purchased at auction in 2010 by Green Collection, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma;[9] Donated in 2015 to National Christian Foundation (later the Signatry), under the curatorial care of Museum of the Bible, Washington, DC.

Notes: [1] The title page for the Psalter appears on f. 17r. It is dated 1592 and Kirchring calls himself a “Guldenschreiber und Rechenmeister” (Gold writer and arithmetic master). On the final leaf, a colophon names the count and gives the date October 17, 1600. [2] The change of spelling from Oldenburg to Aldenburg likely stemmed from the fact that he was an illegitimate son of Anton Günther. His descendant, Charles Aldenburg Bentinck, preferred to say that Anton was the son of a “Morganatic marriage.” Aldenburg was the original name of the city of Oldenburg. [3] Bentinck was a younger son of the Earl of Portland, who had accompanied William and Mary to England during the Glorious Revolution in 1689. Charlotte Sophia and William had an unhappy marriage in part because she retained control of her father’s property, including the manuscript. [4] William Bentinck was a British naval officer who rose to the rank of vice-admiral. [5] Charles Aldenburg Bentinck wrote a note in the beginning of the manuscript recording the provenance from Anton II down to this gift. [6] He signed the book in 1905. It is uncertain whether his wife, Alma Martha (Paget) Bentinck (1854–1947), inherited the book upon her husband’s death in 1938. They were childless, so the Henry Bentinck who signed the book in 1943 might be a cousin. [7] Sotheby’s, London, Western Manuscripts and Miniatures, Lot 83. [8] See Jeremy Dibbell, “Auction Preview: Arcana Collection,” Fine Books & Collections (June 2010), https://www.finebooksmagazine.com/blog/auction-preview-arcana-collection. [9] Christie’s, London, The Arcana Collection Part II: Important Rare Books and Manuscripts, Lot 18.

Illuminated Manuscripts