Title: The Book of Common Prayer, and ...
Publisher: Oxford University Press, Oxford. London : Sold by E. Gardner & Son
Publication Date: 1849
Binding: Hardcover
Book Condition: Very Good
[512], [96] printed pages. "A new version of the Psalms of David, fitted to the tunes used in churches, by N. Brady and N. Tate," with special title page dated 1849, with separate signatures, without music. All edges gilt. Blue silk place-marker. Exquisite patterned and gilt silk and velvet doublures. "Bound by Hayday" printed at foot of verso of front free endpaper. 12.5 x 8 cm. Full burgundy velvet binding with brass edges, engraved clasp ("G.A.R.") and engraved central shield shaped plaque ("Common Prayer"-very slight scratch). The velvet is in very good condition but not without some very mild wear in one or two tiny spots. James Hayday (1796-1872) was one of the most inventive binders of the 19th century and one of the few to be deemed worthy of an entry in the Dictionary of National Biography; books bound by him became and still are considerably sought after. Edward Gardner of the Oxford Warehouse, 7 Paternoster Row, secured Hayday's services exclusively for Oxford University Press publications (of which this is one). Hayday was specifically engaged by Gardner to bind his copies of the finely printed, small format 'Oxford' Bibles, and his output ranged from the basic plain dark hard-grained morocco trade bindings to the finely finished and worked up examples seen here, presumably for the luxury end of the market. William Pickering, bookseller, of 57 Chancery Lane, additionally introduced Hayday to many wealthy patrons. After entering into a brief partnership with Mr. Boyce, a finisher, he again started on his own account at 31 Little Queen Street. Unable to compete with other and cheaper binders, he was adjudicated a bankrupt on 10 June 1861. Seller Inventory # 5095