Clasp

Oxford: University Press, 1845 & 1846. Velvet binding, 3 1/2 inches tall. A beautiful early Victorian miniature velvet binding with brass edges and perfectly functioning clasp. Superb velvet and floral sprig decorated silk doublures and gilt trimmed silk free end papers. A neat ink inscription dated 1846 on the first blank. On the clasp are the initials M.J.A.L. for Mary Jane Annabella Legh of Adlington Hall in Cheshire. Internally spotless. The velvet on the upper board is very slightly paler than on the lower board.

London: William Pickering, 1844. Full morocco, 14 inches tall. Extraordinary decoration with a silver Christ on a brass cross with drops of blood. represented by garnets, dripping into silver chalices. Large rock crystal bosses on each corner magnifying JHS. The brass clasps are fully functioning. This is the celebrated 'Black Letter' edition printed for William Pickering, being a reprint of The Common Prayer printed by Whitchurch for Edward VI. This magnificent volume is reputed to have been commissioned by John Patrick Crichton-Stuart, 3rd Marquess of Bute.