The Book of Common Prayer and Adminstration of the Sacraments, and Other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church

Three volumes bound in one. Unpaginated. Bound in full brown leather, with six spine panels and five raised bands, simple blind ruled. (Boards patina-worn, rounded at corners, lightly cracked and chipped at base of spine). Marbled endpapers. Front free endpaper absent, as is the title page for second volume. First and last few pages chapped at edges with some loss, creased and lightly soiled; page edges thumbed throughout with occasional small chips at edges and a couple of closed tears. Previous owner's stamp on first leaf. The Book of Common Prayer, 1771, has a portrait engraving of George I and an extra title page with engraving, plus a further 41 wood-engraved illustrations. They are highly stylised and we can find no record of these illustrations, all other referenced copies of 1771 having different ones. Illustrations include those of Guy Fawkes torching Parliament; the martyrdom of Charles I and the Restoration of Charles II, accompanying the additional services. The Companion to the Altar has a single engraving, engraved and printed only for John Beecroft by Act of Parliament, 1763. The Whole Book of Psalms is dated 1768. Overall a very nice copy of this work important in the development of the Anglican liturgy, showing wear consistent with prolonged use, and with interesting illustrations making it distinct. Scarce. 16mo.