MID-18TH CENTURY CAMBRIDGE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER IN LOVELY GEORGE II BINDING

(BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER). The Book of Common Prayer… Cambridge: Printed by Joseph Bentham, printer to the University, by whom they are sold… and by Benj. Dod… in London, 1760. Tall folio (10-1/2 by 16-1/2 inches), full contemporary dark green morocco rebacked with elaborately gilt-decorated spine laid down, with crowned monogram of George II in compartments, covers with elaborately gilt-tooled borders and gilt centerpiece featuring the arms of King George II, raised bands, later marbled endpapers, evidence of silk ties. $7500.

Splendid folio Cambridge edition of the Book of Common Prayer in a beautiful armorial George II binding, with broad gilt-tooled borders, elaborate royal cypher in spine panels and splendid gilt centerpiece on each cover featuring the arms of King George II, and text hand-ruled in red throughout.

Born of Thomas Cranmer's desire for liturgical texts upon which all of Europe's Protestant, English-speaking churches could agree, the Book of Common Prayer, first issued in 1549, with its magisterial liturgical language is, "as a source of spiritual inspiration… for most Englishmen second only to the Bible" (PMM 75). This finely printed Cambridge edition—set in large type with wide margins and hand-ruled in red throughout—boasts an impressive royal binding bearing the gilt monogram and crown device of King George II in the spine compartments and his gilt embossed armorial design on both boards, within an ornate floral border. Griffiths 1754:1. Owner ink signature.

Some faint foxing, a very few leaves with light edge-wear. Expert restoration to lovely royal binding.