(1880) Boxed & Signed Roman Christian "Book of Hours" with Silver Clasp
We are offering here a scarce Roman Catholic "Book of Hours" from 1880 with Frontispiece, Engraved title page, 25 engraved plates and 5 engraved chapter titles. All 516 pages richly illuminated and illustrated by famous French engravers A. Queyroy and A. Gusman.
Bound in maroon Morocco leather binding with a large two-side Ornamental Damascus Silver Clasp in the shape of "Tree of Life". Binding SIGNED in gilt to the bottom of the front paste-down by famous French printing and publishing house Alfred Mame et Fils ("RELIURE A. MAME & FILS"). Very rich decorated front and rear paste-down with gilt frames and bordeaux Moirée silk. Free endpapers also accompanied by bordeaux Moirée silk. Pages/text block from high quality woven paper by Alfred Mame et Fils. Sold together with an original presentation Wooden Box with brass clasp and red satin interior (the box is very worn, with two cracked corners at the front part of the lid).
"Heures Romaines"; Tours, Alfred Mame et Fils, 1880; Size of the book: 15,5 x 12,5 cm (6.1" x 4.9"); Size of the wooden box: 17 x 14 x 4 cm (6.7" x 5.5" x 1.6"); Maroon Morocco leather binding with two-side ornamental Damascus silver clasp. Spine with five rised bands. All page edges gilt; Text in French; Collation complete - Free endpaper, (2) blank leaves, False-title, Frontispiece, Engraved title page, [20], 516 pages with 25 engraved plates included, (2) blank leaves, free endpaper; Full Morocco leather binding is tight and firm, overall well preserved, with minor bumping and discoloration (more to the rear board), a few slight surface scratches. Overlapping part of the silver clasp missing, but the fixed parts attached to the boards are in excellent condition, no missing parts/corners. Pages/Text block in immaculate condition, clean and very bright, no foxing or marks throughout, only a slight yellowing and fingerprint to the title page. Overall the condition of the book is VERY GOOD. Wooden box is very worn, with two cracked corners at the front part of the lid, which causes the top cover of the box to be unable to close.