[SOLD] The Book of Common Prayer

A distinctive copy of The Book of Common Prayer, and administration of the Sacraments, and other rites and ceremonies of the Church, according to the use of the United Church of England and Ireland: together with the Psalter or Psalms of David. Pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches: and the form and manner of making, ordaining, and consecrating of Bishops, priests, and Deacons, printed by the Oxford University Press, 1864, 8vo.
 
An entirely unique and beautiful gothic-style Victorian wood binding. The upper cover depicts a self-sacrificing bird feeding her chicks, surrounded by grape vines. The border reads ‘Qui manducat et ipse vivet propter’. The lower cover is emblazoned with the Society of Jesus (Jesuit) symbol – ‘IHS’ centred in an image of the sun, the border reading ‘In medio seniorum aquum stantem tamquam [ollissum?]. The spine depicts a series of grape bunches, this having very minor wear. The cover on the whole is extremely well preserved given its age and distinctiveness, with no faults to speak of. Rich red fore-edge painting slightly worn down through use. Tasteful red marbled end papers.
 
This copy contains solely the Book of Common Prayer, without the Psalter of David called for in the title - the book is clearly bound with this intention. Otherwise it is entirely complete. The text itself is remarkably clean aside from three instances in which a neat pen inscription crosses the name of Queen Victoria and replaces it with that of Elizabeth (as seen in the photographs above).
 
In all a truly remarkable contemporary binding to a Victorian Book of Common Prayer, making this particular copy a one-of-a-kind. The richness of the Gothic-style cover makes this book a highly displayable piece.
 
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