Masereel’s wordless novel, “Mon Livre d’Heures” translated into German as ” Mein Stundenbuch“, and into English as, “My Book of Hours” is a reference to a Christian devotional book popular in the Middle Ages. It was intended to help the layperson incorporate elements of monasticism into their devotional life by reciting prayers during the eight canonical hours of the day, i.e., the reason for “hours” in the phrase.

Masereel’s book, on the other hand, depicts events from one day to the next, not from hour to hour. It is not clear why the title was chosen.

Later Editions

1920 Mein Stundenbuch; Wolff Limited edition

1922 My Book of Hours (USA)

1926-27-28 Stundenbuch Wolff Trade edition

1948 Passionate Journey

1919 Mon livre d’heures (My Book of Hours)

As per the Limitation page – 212 copies were issued as follows:

  • 1 example on Imperial Japan, signed by the author designated number 1. This example in a special cardboard box, with 167 original designs.
  • 8 examples on Japan, signed by the author; numbered 2 to 9
  • (3 copies printed on Japan excluding trade marked A, B, C.)
  • 200 copies on vellum blanc paper, numbered 10 to 209.
  • References: Avermaete 4

Relating to numbers 10 to 209

  • Title: Mon livre d’heures
  • Author and Illustrator: Frans Masereel
  • Introduction: No, but quotes from Whitman and Rolland
  • Date of publication: printing completed April 30, 1919
  • Publisher: Self?
  • Place of publication: Geneva
  • Printer: Albert Kundig
  • Copyright: the author
  • Dimensions: 15.4 x 12 x 3 cm (6 1/16 x 4 5/8 x 1 1/4 inches)
  • Dust jacket: Yes; the cover is very thin card with the DJ on stiff paper glued to the spine and folded over the cover
  • slipcase: No
  • Binding: soft cover
  • Language: French titles, etc
  • Paginated: unpaginated
  • Printed: images recto
  • Printed from the original wood blocks

Numbers 10 to 209

Top and bottom edge cut; fore edge uncut
front hinge
signed on FFEP – this is not required for #10 to 209
Half title
Frontis – Masereel at his desk
Whitman and Rolland quotes

….. pleasures and sorrows, mischief, pranks,
experiences and follies, straw and hay, figs and
grapes, green fruits, sweet fruits, roses and buds,
things seen, and read, and known, and had,
experienced!
Romain Rolland
(Colas Brugnon).

2nd Frontis??
Title page
Limitation page at the back.
Image credit: Librairie Alain Brieux
Unnumbered – I assume this was from an overrun in production, i.e., not part of the limited numbered edition
Advertisements at the back for other books by the author
Translation:
Completed printing
on April 30, 1919
on the presses of Albert Kundig,
master printer
in Geneva.

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