1846 Book of Common Prayer | Rare Gauffered Words and Metal Clasp

The Book of Common Prayer. Published by Oxford University Press, Oxford, England. Published 1846. English Language.

A dark brown (looks black in some lighting) leather binding with an embossed cross surrounded by intricate framing on the front and back covers, five raised spine bands, leather tooling on the spine with seashells and flourishes, four gold-tone metal corner caps with decorative swirling flourish designs, and a large, elaborate gold-tone metal clasp closure with matching flourish adornments, and brown endpapers. 

All page edges are gold-gilt, with a hidden painted red fore-edge, and striking gauffered edges featuring three unique religious phrases in English in a Gothic-style calligraphy script with surrounding decorative linework; the phrases include: "God is my helper," "God is Love," and "Grow in grace."

Small inscription on inner front endpaper that reads "Hawkins Eastwood."

Gauffering involves heating small tools and manually stamping intricate indentations into the page edges. This book's design is unique because it features wording rather than a repetitive stamped motif.

The bookbinder had to carefully place each letter to spell out the different phrases on each edge, a time-consuming touch and an uncommon find. 

93 mm W x 147 mm H. 

Condition: Wear to covers and spine with some marks; wear to hinges; lower back hinge is partially cracked but still functional and intact; cover page is missing; gold-gilt on page edges is faded in some spots; the gauffered wording is less prominent in some spots on pages; some discoloration to endpapers; metal clasp slightly bent but in working order. Very solid when clasped. Good condition. 

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