Well-known manuscript historian Bovey (U. of Kent, the UK) presents the first complete descriptive account of the luxurious Carpentin Hours, produced in 15th-century Flanders. Following a discussion of the manuscript's provenance and a description of its production and unusually well-preserved binding, the volume is given over to description of the illumination and iconography. The beautifully produced, oversized volume (10.25x11") features a catalog of complete views (both text and image) of all of the manuscript pages, as well as the many full-page plates of the illuminations, frequent details of the paintings, and smaller reproductions of the illuminated letters and astrological symbols from the manuscript's calendar that are included with Bovey's text. The volume includes a lengthy introductory preface by James H. Marrow (emeritus, Princeton U.). Distributed by Casemate. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)