1899 Book of Common Prayer | Sterling Silver Chatelaine Binding

The Book of Common Prayer. Printed by Henry Fowde at the Oxford University Press, Oxford, England. Sterling silver stamped with J.C. Vickery's master smith mark. Published 1899. English Language.

A unique Victorian Chatelaine binding, also known as a devotional purse or carriage prayer book; there is a sterling silver chain and loop designed so a Victorian lady could hang the prayer book from her chatelaine, a decorative belt hook worn at the waist that held useful items, or loop it securely while traveling to church. 

The silver is punched with J.C. Vickery's master smith stamp. Vickery ran a multi-front store on Regent Street and held a large collection of Royal Warrants from almost every major royal house in Europe, including King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra of Great Britain; the Kings of Portugal, Spain, and Sweden; the King and Queen of Denmark; and the Queen of Norway. 

It's bound in full leather that appears to have previously been a light green but that has shifted into a light brown, with gold-gilt tooled details on the cover and spine with a cross and initials in addition to the titles and an Oxford stamp; the metal is marked with a J.C.V. punch, which is J.C. Vickery's master smith punch, confirming that the metal is sterling silver. 

The interior features four small leather pockets within the interior front cover that was likely designed to hold items like train tickets, stamps and calling cards; marbled endpapers, all page edges gold-gilt, a hidden red fore-edge, intricate gold dentelle work around interior turn-ins, and a silver slider bead to adjust the metal chain's tension. 

The rare treasure can safely be displayed hanging (all metal is securely attached) or standing upright on a bookself. 

90 mm W x 143 mm H. 585 pages.

Condition: Marks and spots of dicoloration to covers and spine, some wear to front hinge, leather has faded from green to brown on front cover and spine, metal has spots of tarnish, some discoloration to interior leather cover pockets, foxing throughout. Good condition. 

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