The Christian Year 1898 2nd Ed John Keble Illustrated R. Anning Bell Riviere
 
Title & Author:
The Christian Year by John Keble
 
Publisher & Date:
Methuen and Co., 36 Essex Street, London, MDCCCXCVIII (1898).
Dating Justification: Second edition confirmed by publisher imprint and printer details (T. & A. Constable, Edinburgh).
 
Edition Information:
Second Edition, illustrated edition with five designs by R. Anning Bell.
 
Physical Description:
Full scarlet Morocco “Riviere” binding with panelled boards, raised bands, gilt lettering, and broad gilt-decorated turn-ins. All edges gilt. Marbled pastedowns and endpapers. Dimensions: 17 cm × 11 cm × 2.2 cm. Weight: approximately 315 g.
 
Key Features:
Illustrated with five full-page designs by R. Anning Bell (pages 23, 73, 115, 183, 298), all present.
Thoughts in verse for the Sundays and Holydays throughout the year by John Keble.
Introduction and notes by Walter Lock, M.A.
Printed by T. & A. Constable, Printers to Her Majesty, Edinburgh.
Binding by Riviere & Son, a highly collectible binder.
 
Historical / Bibliographic Context:
Originally published in 1827, The Christian Year was a widely influential work of devotional poetry, offering reflections aligned with the Christian liturgical calendar. This illustrated second edition, featuring designs by Robert Anning Bell (1863–1933), exemplifies the Victorian appreciation for the intersection of literature and fine art. Riviere bindings are prized by collectors for their craftsmanship.
 
Condition Report:
 
Exterior:
Full scarlet Morocco binding is intact and robust.
Light wear, minor marks, and very small patches of rubbing present.
Raised bands and gilt decorations remain bright and clear.
 
Interior:
Pages bright for age, very lightly tanned.
Darker tanning at endpapers.
All 335 pages present; no rips.
Very small folds on a couple of pages; pages 243–246 slightly unevenly cut (likely original uncut leaves trimmed with pen knife).
Pen and pencil inscriptions on front free endpaper: gift to Graham Scudamore Percival Heywood, 1903.
Small ink stamp “Bound By Riviere & Son” on reverse of front free endpaper.
Tightly bound and secure.
 
Dimensions & Weight:
17 cm × 11 cm × 2.2 cm; 315 grams.
 
Completeness Notes:
All 335 pages present.
Five illustrations by R. Anning Bell present and intact.
 
Inscriptions / Provenance:
This copy was gifted to Graham Scudamore Percival Heywood on August 30, 1903, shortly after his baptism at Byford, Hereford. The inscription on the front free endpaper reads:
“Graham Scudamore Percival Heywood, August 30. 1903, Byford Rectory. From his godmother, aunt Isabel M. Heywood.”
Graham Heywood went on to lead an extraordinary life. During World War I, he was captured by the Japanese and endured three years and eight months as a prisoner of war, an experience he later documented in his book It Won’t Be Long Now.
The book also bears a small ink stamp on the reverse of the front free endpaper stating: “Bound By Riviere & Son”, identifying the prestigious bindery. Riviere bindings are highly prized by collectors for their quality and craftsmanship.
This combination of personal historical provenance, connection to a notable individual, and high-quality binding makes this copy particularly desirable for collectors of Victorian literature, religious poetry, and fine bindings.
 
Collector’s Summary:
A beautiful example of a Victorian illustrated devotional classic, bound by the prestigious Riviere & Son. The gilt-decorated Morocco binding, Anning Bell illustrations, and intact provenance inscription make this a highly desirable collector’s copy. A near-fine, very clean example for collectors of Victorian literature, religious poetry, or fine bindings.