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Matching Two-Volume Set in Full Black Morocco
Richly Gilt • All Edges Gilt • Hatchard & Son, 187 Piccadilly
A handsome matching pair of small-format Anglican devotional books, printed at Oxford in 1834 and 1835 and preserved in richly gilt full black morocco bindings retailed by J. Hatchard & Son, 187 Piccadilly, one of London’s most distinguished nineteenth-century booksellers.
Each volume measures approximately 4 1/4 x 3 inches and is bound in matching black morocco with an elegant and highly distinctive gilt linear design covering both boards. The decoration consists of multiple gilt-rule borders enclosing large interlocking scroll motifs, finished with small gilt foliate tools. The spines are richly gilt in compartments, with raised bands and gilt-lettered labels reading “PROPER LESSONS” and “COMMON PRAYER.”
The set is further distinguished by all edges gilt, elaborately gilt turn-ins, pale endpapers, and surviving ribbon markers.
Most importantly, the upper turn-in of each volume is stamped:
J. HATCHARD & SON 187 PICCADILLY
providing a particularly attractive association with the famous London firm.
Volume I — Proper Lessons
Proper Lessons, To be Read at Morning & Evening Prayer, on the Sundays and other Holy-Days Throughout the Year.
Oxford: Printed at the University Press by S. Collingwood and Co., 1834.
The volume also includes:
The New Testament of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
Oxford: Printed at the University Press by S. Collingwood and Co., 1835.
The front blank bears an early presentation inscription:
“Marianna Shell / The Gift of / an Affectionate / Mother”
with the date 1834 written above.
Volume II — Book of Common Prayer
The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the Use of the United Church of England and Ireland; Together with the Psalter or Psalms of David.
Oxford: Printed at the University Press by S. Collingwood and Co., 1835.
Also bound in is:
A New Version of the Psalms of David, Fitted to the Tunes Used in Churches, by N. Tate and N. Brady
Oxford: Printed at the University Press, 1835.
This volume bears a matching presentation inscription:
“Marianna Shell / The Gift of / an Affectionate / Mother”
with the date 1835 written above.
The matching inscriptions strongly suggest that the two books have remained together since they were presented to their original owner in the 1830s.
The Bindings
The bindings are the principal attraction of the set.
Both volumes are bound in matching full black morocco leather, with:
- elaborate gilt geometric and scrolling decoration to both covers
- multiple gilt-rule borders
- richly gilt spines with raised bands
- gilt-lettered spine labels
- gilt board edges
- elaborately gilt turn-ins
- J. Hatchard & Son, 187 Piccadilly stamp
- all edges gilt
- surviving ribbon markers
- matching size, tooling, and overall design
The cover decoration is especially striking: bold, architectural scrollwork arranged symmetrically within a series of gilt borders. The effect is unusually sophisticated for books of this small scale.
Provenance
Both volumes were evidently presented to Marianna Shell by her mother, with inscriptions dated 1834 and 1835.
The set was retailed by J. Hatchard & Son, 187 Piccadilly, whose name and address are stamped at the upper turn-in.
Condition
Very good antique condition overall.
The black morocco bindings remain attractive and structurally sound, with expected rubbing and wear to corners, joints, spine ends, and extremities. There are small areas of surface abrasion and loss, particularly at the heads and tails of the spines and at the corners. The gilt decoration remains strong and bright overall.
The ribbon markers survive but are worn and frayed at the exposed ends.
All edges retain strong gilding.
The interiors show light age toning and occasional minor spotting, soiling, or handling marks consistent with books approaching 200 years old.
Both volumes retain the early presentation inscriptions described above.
Please examine all photographs closely, as they form an important part of the condition description.
Dimensions
Each volume approximately:
4 1/4 x 3 in.
Sold together as the matching two-volume set shown.
