(1862) "Books of Hours of the Middle Ages" with 192 Chromolithographs
We are offering here a scarce personalised Roman Catholic "Books of Hours of the Middle Ages" from 1862 with chromolithograph false title/frontispiece, chromolithograph title page, engraved chromolithograph colophon, 13 chapter titles engraved in chromolithography and 178 chromolithograph text pages (total of 192 chromolithograph pages including the title). All 192 pages with different motives richly illustrated and illuminated by famous French paintors and engravers Ed. Moreau and G. Moulin with chromolithography by R. Engelmann & Graf. All pages are printed in chromolithography on strong high quality cardboard.
Bound in a beautiful calf leather binding with a two metal clasps connected by a short leather belts which connecting front and rear parts of the clasps. Binding signed in gilt by Gruel at the bottom of the spine (indistinctly visible, but present). Very rich decorated front and rear paste-down with gilt fleurons and bordeaux Moirée silk. Free endpapers also accompanied by bordeaux Moirée silk.
This is a personalised copy made on demand as a tangible item with a purpose of wedding keepsake and contains the personalised chromolithograph false title (frontispiece) featuring medallion and gemstone ornaments in the manner of the "Christian Wedding Book", dated "5 Jun 1872" at the top and with stylised monogram initials of both spouses at the middle of the meddalion illustration.
"Heures du Moyen Age"; Paris, Rue Boissy d'Anglas 35, Gruel Engelmann, 1862; First edition; Full calf leather binding with a two metal & leather clasps. Spine with five raised bands. Binding signed in gilt by Gruel at the bottom of the spine; 15,8 x 12,5 cm (6.2'' x 4.9''); Text in French; Collation complete - (2) blank leaves, Personalised chromolithograph frontispiece/false title in the manner of the Wedding Book dated "5 Jun 1872" at the top and with stylised monogram initials of both spouses at the middle of the meddalion illustration, chromolithograph title page, engraved chromolithograph colophon, with 2-192 (II-CXCII) chromolithograph pages containing the text with 13 engraved chapter titles included, (8) pages of Family Memories addored by stylised color frames, (2) blank leaves; Binding is overall in very good condition, tight and firm, with minor rubbing and surface scratches, slight discoloration, extremities with some scuffing and bumping. Joints with incipient crackings to the top and the bottom, hinges are whole and strong, binding remains strongly bound, stable and secure. Metal parts of the clasps are whole and secure, only the short leather belts (which connecting metal parts of the clasps) are peeled off from the both sides. Signature in gilt at the bottom of the spine indistinctly visible, but present. Text block/pages are in immaculate condition, perfectly bright and clean, almost no any traces of use, with insignificant yellowing only. Overall the condition of the book is VERY GOOD.