London Collection: 12 Antique & Vintage Miniature Liturgical Books
The London Collection: 12 Antique & Vintage Miniature Prayer Books, Hymnals & Liturgical Volumes
Collection Overview
This collection of twelve English miniature prayer books, hymnals, and liturgical volumes dates from the late Victorian era through the mid-20th century. Published by Oxford University Press, Cambridge University Press, SPCK, Eyre & Spottiswoode, Collins’ Clear-Type Press, and A. R. Mowbray & Co., the volumes feature varied bindings, gilt edges, decorative covers, and illustrated editions.
Personal inscriptions, presentation dates, bookseller tickets, and distinctive features—including a Jerusalem olive-wood binding—preserve traces of their individual histories. Each volume is described with its identifying features and observed condition disclosed below.
The Twelve Volumes
1. Book of Common Prayer with Psalter and Ordination Services
Publisher: SPCK, London | Date: Circa 1950–1951
A miniature Ruby 32mo edition with burgundy or plum flexible binding, gilt lettering, marbled slate-grey and rose endpapers, and the Royal Arms. The Canford School, Wimborne Minster, Dorset, bookplate bears the Latin motto Nisi Dominus Frustra. An inscription records its presentation to Peter Neeves at Confirmation on 23 November 1951.
Condition: Very Good to Near Fine. Tight binding and exceptionally clean interior, with a few minor dog-eared pages. Bookplate and inscription remain present.
2. Book of Common Prayer and The English Hymnal, with Psalter
Publisher: Oxford University Press, London | Date: Circa 1958–1959
A New Ruby pocket miniature with black or charcoal fine-grain binding, gilt titles, gilt spine star, red-under-gold edges, black endpapers, and Oxford heraldic decoration. An inscription dated 13 July 1962 records a presentation from Barbara, Jose, and William to Peter Bowden.
Condition: Very Good to Near Fine. Gilt decoration and red-under-gold edges remain present. The personal inscription is legible. No significant defects are recorded in the available condition notes.
3. Book of Common Prayer and Hymns Ancient and Modern, with Psalter
Publisher: Oxford University Press; William Clowes & Sons | Date: Circa 1922–1930
A Minion 48mo miniature printed on India paper, with flexible dark charcoal or black binding, gilt IHS monogram, red-under-gold edges, marbled lavender, rose, and cream endpapers, Oxford shield, and hymnal emblem. Inscribed to Joy A. Glenny-Stirlicks.
Condition: Good to Very Good. Normal age-related wear; gilt decoration remains legible. The interior is clean and complete, with readable text and the inscription preserved.
4. Book of Common Prayer and Hymns Ancient and Modern, with Psalter
Publisher: Oxford University Press / Henry Frowde, Amen Corner | Date: Circa 1901–1902
A Ruby 32mo miniature in black calf with embossed geometric starburst and diamond decoration, Gothic-style gilt titles, red-under-gold edges, black endpapers, and Oxford heraldic decoration. Uninscribed.
Condition: Very Good. Minor toning and light foxing affect the borders of the early title leaves. A few pages have dog-eared corners. Embossed decoration and gilt lettering remain attractive.
5. Book of Common Prayer and The Hymnal Companion, with Psalter
Publisher: Oxford University Press / Humphrey Milford | Date: Circa 1913–1915
A Ruby 32mo miniature containing the third edition of The Hymnal Companion to the Book of Common Prayer, originally edited by Edward Henry Bickersteth. The charcoal-black leather binding features gilt titles and red-under-gold edges. A blue bookseller’s ticket identifies F. G. Longman, Bookseller, Dorchester. Inscribed to Eileen A. Bugler of South Street, Dorchester, on 20 November 1916.
Condition: Good to Very Good. The binding shows age-related wear, drying, and scuffing; gilt lettering remains bright. The interior is clean, the volume is tight, and the inscription and bookseller’s ticket are preserved.
6. Book of Common Prayer and Hymns Ancient and Modern, with Psalter
Publisher: Eyre & Spottiswoode; William Clowes | Date: Circa 1900–1901
A Ruby 32mo miniature with dark black or charcoal binding, cursive gilt cover lettering, red-under-gold edges, black endpapers, and the Royal Arms. The imprint lists London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Melbourne, Sydney, and New York. Inscribed to Annie Wormald of Dale Street, Ossett, on 27 July 1901.
Condition: Near Fine. Very clean interior and structurally firm binding. Gilt lettering remains bright, and the dated inscription is present.
7. Illustrated Book of Common Prayer and Hymns Ancient and Modern, with Psalter
Publisher: Cambridge University Press | Date: Circa 1945–1951
An illustrated Ruby 32mo edition with crimson or rose-red cloth covers, an oval color illustration of a young boy in a meadow with a rabbit and birds, gilt lettering, and a daffodil spine design. Color plates include The First Christmas and a pastoral scene. The Cambridge shield and an inscription to Keith Boulton of Kingston Lane, Teddington, are present.
Condition: Very Good. Clean and complete, with color plates retaining their color. Pictorial covers, daffodil spine design, Cambridge shield, gilt lettering, and inscription remain present.
8. Illustrated Book of Common Prayer and Hymns Ancient and Modern, with Psalter
Publisher: Collins’ Clear-Type Press, Glasgow | Date: Circa 1950–1951
An Emerald 32mo illustrated edition with pictorial paper-covered boards featuring a wraparound biblical scene. The yellow-gold spine displays praying hands and black lettering; the edges are stained olive green. Interior illustrations include The Adoration of the Shepherds, alongside a baptismal-font emblem.
Condition: Good to Very Good. Exterior laminate shows peeling, lifting, and bubbling, particularly near the spine and corners. The interior is generally clean and complete. One leaf at page 53 is partially attached and requires careful handling.
9. Book of Common Prayer and Hymns Ancient and Modern, with Psalter
Publisher: Eyre & Spottiswoode for SPCK; William Clowes | Date: Circa 1890–1894
A Ruby 32mo miniature featuring Jerusalem olive-wood binding. The front board is stamped “Jerusalem” with Hebrew characters; the rear features a multicolored marquetry border. A black leather spine, gilt edges, and the Royal Arms complete the binding. The inscription reads: “Lilly Gaylor. / Blundell Sands. / Port Said. / Oct. 1894.” A pencil price notation, “£8-50,” is also present.
Condition: Good to Very Good overall, with an interior approaching Near Fine. The interior is particularly well preserved. The front inner hinge is split along the paper gutter; careful handling is necessary to prevent further separation of the text block. Olive-wood boards, marquetry, gilt edges, inscription, and pencil notation remain present.
10. Illustrated Book of Common Prayer with Psalter and Ordination Services
Publisher: A. R. Mowbray & Co., London and Oxford | Date: Circa 1946–1952
An illustrated Ruby 32mo edition in deep red or crimson grained leather or rexine, with red-stained edges, the Royal Arms, and a gilt spine titled Common Prayer — Illustrated Mowbray. Full-page color lithographic plates on glossy paper include a Gothic-arched altarpiece and a liturgical scene. The illustrations have been identified as including work attributed to Margaret Tarrant.
Condition: Very Good to Near Fine. Tight and very clean, with grained binding, gilt spine lettering, Royal Arms, and red-stained edges retaining their appeal. Illustrated plates are present as described. Uninscribed.
11. Illustrated Book of Common Prayer with Psalter and Ordination Services
Publisher: A. R. Mowbray & Co., London and Oxford | Date: Circa 1946–1952
A second copy from the same illustrated Mowbray edition family, featuring deep red or crimson grained binding, gilt spine lettering, the Royal Arms, red-stained edges, and full-page color lithographic illustrations of liturgical subjects, including illustrations attributed to Margaret Tarrant.
Condition: Very Good to Near Fine. Tight and very clean. The binding, gilt lettering, Royal Arms, and red-stained edges remain attractive. Illustrated plates are present as described. Uninscribed.
12. Church Services: Book of Common Prayer and Proper Lessons
Publisher: Oxford University Press / Henry Frowde, Amen Corner | Date: Circa 1883–1892
A late-Victorian Ruby 32mo volume combining the Book of Common Prayer with The Proper Lessons for Sundays and Other Holy-Days and The New Testament Proper Lessons Appointed to Be Read in Churches. The pebbled black flexible leather binding features Gothic gilt lettering reading Church Services, an IHS monogram, gilt edges, and black endpapers with faint mirrored transfer inscriptions. An ownership inscription identifies William Yates of Charrington Street, Oakley Square, London, dated 7 November 1892. A “2/” price mark appears at the end of Revelation.
Condition: Good exterior, with a Near Fine interior. A small area of leather is missing at the head of the spine. Significant cracking affects the internal endpaper gutters, although the binding remains secure. The ownership inscription, gilt decoration, and price mark remain present.
Purchase Inquiries
Interested in acquiring the complete collection or an individual volume? Contact us to discuss availability and pricing. Individual volumes are subject to availability.
For the complete collection, please include the Collection Reference. For an individual book, specify its volume number and title. Select Inquire and complete the inquiry form with the appropriate information.
Collection Reference: AS-1075
Ages of Scripture
Antiquarian Bibles & Historical Manuscripts
Preserving History • Inspiring Faith • Connecting Generations
Every page has a story. Every story deserves to be preserved.