The Book of Common Prayer

£3,000 · Offered by Shapero Rare Books

John Sturt's prayer book engraved on silver plates The portrait frontispiece of King George has inscribed on it, in characters so minute as to be legible only with a magnifying glass, the Creed, the Lord's prayer, the Commandments, the prayer for the royal family, and the twenty-first psalm. After the list of subscribers is found the following meant for the binder: 'The Binders are desired not to beat these Books, it doing great Damage to all Engrav'd Printing'. In this impression p.V has an ornamental border with cherubs only half way between each corner, and at the head of the page is the number: 'VII.' Uncommon, ESTC lists 12 copies only. 8vo; XXII, 166, [2] pp., with portrait of King George formed from The Lord's Prayer, the Creed, etc., portrait of the Prince of Wales and his Consort surrounded by engraved borders. All pages with engraved borders and numerous engraved initials with only few repeats, and numerous illustrations in the text showing biblical scenes and portraits, rubricated throughout, final 2 leaves on thin paper, circular at page VII (i.e. V) lacking volvelle and pointer as often, contemporary red morocco gilt extra, all edges gilt, lightly rubbed, a very good copy. ESTC T141242; Griffiths 1717 1/2; Rothschild 1987.

• Binding: Hardcover

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