(1880) Unique Hand-Colored "Book of Hours" with Clasped Binding
An unique French Christian Catholic devotional "Book of Hours" from circa 1880. This entirely hand-colored Christian manuscript contains chapters Ordinary of the Mass, Prayer after Mass, Wedding Ceremonies, Wedding Mass, and Acts and Prayers for Communion.
Bound in an unique vellum binding with two metal clasps. Binding signed in gilt by French bookbinding house M. Forbin (marked in gilt on back of the front cover) and by gilt Coat of Arm to the bottom of the spine. Very rich decorated front and rear paste-down with gilt framed vellum and beige Moirée silk. Free endpapers also accompanied by beige Moirée silk. All page edges gilt.
Title page, engravings, chapter titles and all text pages Hand-Colored in Color & Gilt or Silver. With 6 full-page engravings and 4 engraved chapter titles. All 118 text pages framed by different & unique hand-colored illuminated decorations in style of Medieval Manuscripts and Books of Hours. Pages/text block from high quality paper.
"Livre d'Heures"; M. Forbin, no date (circa 1880); Full vellum binding with 2 metal clasps. Silver title ''Missel'' and gilt Coat of Arm to the spine. All page edges gilt. Sold together with an original custom made slipcase; Size of the book: 18,5 x 14,8 cm (7.3'' x 5.8''); Collation complete - (6) blank leaves, Title page, (1) blank leave, 95 pages, 30 pages (of "Acts and prayers for Communion" - pages numbered 65b to 96b), 3 pages of ''Family Memories'', (4) blank leaves; Text in French; Full vellum binding is strong, tight and firm, overall well preserved, little rubbed and with minor surface scuffings to the spine extremities and some tanning. Metal clasps in excellent condition, fully functional and well preserved, with littla patina only. Moiree silk of the front and rear paste down and free enpapers little smudged/dusty. Pages/Text block also well preserved, very clean and bright, no any marks or foxing throughout, with some yellowing to the white margins and a few stains, white paint stain on page 9, a few creased page edges in places. Overall the condition of the book is NEAR FINE. Slipcase partly cracked at the bottom, but still keeps strong and secure.