Lives of the Saints

[4], 374pp, [4]. Contemporary full morocco, bevelled boards, raised bands, spine in six panels, title in gilt to second panel, remaining panels with central knotwork device and cross corner pieces, covers with triple fillet frame in blind, with an inner panel made up of onlaid cross and roundel corner pieces, with a central onlaid cross, surrounded by a roundel, with crosses and flower heads to border of inner panel, upper cover with title in gilt, gilt roll to inner edge, a.e.g., curl pattern marbled endpapers.

Rubbed to extremities, small split to head of front outer joint, corners bumped, head of spine slightly chipped, inner joints cracked but holding well, first gathering very slightly proud with the fore-edge of the 'list of minatures' page very slightly chipped, otherwise internally bright and clean, calligraphic presentation leaf to the Reverend Thomas Bowles before half-title.

With fifty chromolithographic plates (as per list and the V&A copy - the title calls for fifty-one, but this seems to be erroneous) and decorative borders.

Binding is by Ramage.

Uncommon, with only the BL, V&A, ULRLS and Lambeth holding copies on COPAC