(1860) Boxed Christian "Book of Hours" with 180 Chromolithographs

We are offering here a scarce first edition from 1860 of these French Christian Catholic devotional book, "New Hours and Prayers composed in the style of the XIV to the XVI century manuscripts", entirely produced using chromolithography and inspired by medieval illuminated manuscripts. A fine copy and a superb production by Gruel and Engelmann for this neo-Gothic "Book of Hours". Sold together with an original wooden box with metal lock mechanism and beige satin interior.

Wooden box signed in gilt inside the box cover by E. Bouasse Jeune Paris, a renowned Parisian publishing house, active mainly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, specializing in the production of religious images, penholders, and devotional object. Bound in a brown Morocco leather binding and personalized by stylised metal monogram "MG" to the front board and signature on a small piece of paper "M.G Mme. Dagincourt". Richly decorated front and rear paste-down with gilt fleurons and brown Moirée silk. Free endpapers also accompanied by brown Moirée silk and with a date in gilt "10 Mai 1894". With chromolithograph title page and 4 full-page chromolithograph engravings. All 176 text pages mounted on tabs are richly illustrated and illuminated with different decorative compositions in chromolithography surrounding the text, each page being unique. Superb illuminations in chromolithographies inspired by Medieval illuminated manuscripts - Letters, decorations and miniatures taken from ancient manuscripts; The text is framed with many different decorations: foliage, flowers, birds, dragons, figures, etc. With four pages of family memorabilia, and the publisher-printer'slogo and mark at the end. All pages are printed in chromolithography and mounted on strong high quality cardboard.

"Nouvelles Heures et Prieres, Composées dans le style des manuscrits du XIVe au XVIe siècle."; Paris, Gruel et Engelmann, undated (1860); First edition; Size of the book: 15,5 x 12,5 cm (6.1" x 4.9"); Size of the wooden box: 19,8 x 17 x 4,5 cm (7.8" x 6.7" x 1.8"); Brown Morocco leather binding. Embossed title to the spine. Spine with five rised bands. All page edges gilt; Text in French; Collation complete - [2] leaves, [1] (printer's mark), Chromolithograph frontispiece, Chromolithograph title page, 176 chromolithograph pages including 4 full-page chromolithograph engravings, [4] pages (family memoirs), [1] (printer's logo), [1] (printer's mark); Full leather binding is strong, tight and firm, overall in immaculate condition, with negligible rubbing and discoloration. Pages/Text block in pristine condition, clean and very bright, no any marks or foxing throughout. Overall the condition of the book is NEAR FINE. Wooden box is in very good condition, little worn and with some traces of use to the exterior, little dusty inside, but whole, strong and stabile.