The Book of Common Prayer, Administration of Sacraments, the Psalms of David, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests and Deacons

Now 163 years old, this copy of the expanded 1854 Oxford University Press Book of Common Prayer remains in near-fine condition throughout.

The heavy brown calf full binding, gilt lettered to the spine and blind tooled throughout, is rubbed at the outer hinges, spine-ends and raised bands, but still presents very well and the rounded binding remains tight. The decorated brass corner covers and engraved central closing hasp are fine. All edges are patterned gilt. The endpapers are boldly marbled. The two broad royal blue silk marker ribbons remain Very Good. The book is printed in black and red, with the text in various sizes of Caslon Old Style.

[iv] + 1392 unnumbered main pp + 176 unnumbered pp of the Psalms of David + [iv].

The extreme edges of the free endpaper versos and the two extra plain leaves front and back are lightly sunned. The contents are otherwise undiscoloured as well as being unmarked and complete, with the gilt-decorated page-edges pristinely bright.

There are no ownership or other inscriptions or marks and the letterpress is crisp and bright on the pages.

This rare and near-perfect copy would perhaps be a worthy gift to an archbishop or bishop.