Marked Testament c1900s Royal National MDSF Edition w/ Slipcase
 
Early 1900s – The Marked Testament (Royal National MDSF Edition) – Antiquarian
Pocket Bible with Slipcase
Publisher: Henry Frowde, Oxford University Press Warehouse, Amen Corner, London
Printer: Butler & Tanner, Frome and London
Date: c.1883–1913
Format: Pocket-sized Clear-Type Royal National MDSF Edition
Binding: Original red cloth over boards with gilt decorations and lettering, complete with red cloth-lined slipcase
 
Description
 
A rare early 1900s “Marked Testament”, being a special Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen (MDSF) Edition, printed by Butler & Tanner and published by Henry Frowde for the Oxford University Press.

This Clear-Type Pocket Edition of The New Testament of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ features facsimile pen markings in black and red throughout, together with printed finger posts, a distinctive feature of this special edition.
It also retains the original printed folder/flyer, which includes two specimen pages from the complete Marked Testament, a scarce surviving addition seldom found with extant copies.
 
Dating between 1883 and 1913, when Oxford University Press operated from Amen Corner, Paternoster Row under the management of Henry Frowde, this edition represents a fine example of early 20th-century devotional printing.
 
Special Features
 
Facsimile Hand Markings: Black and red pen annotations reproduced by special setting and engraving, highlighting approximately two hundred key verses.
Royal National MDSF Emblem: Gilt-stamped crest on the front board, with the motto “Acquaint Now Thyself With God And Be At Peace.”
Clear-Type Printing: Large, easily legible type for portable use.
Original Slipcase: Lined in matching red cloth, rare to find intact.
Original Specimen Flyer: Two printed sample pages enclosed with the book.
 
Exterior Condition
 
Bound in red cloth with gilt lettering to the spine and front board.
 
The boards and spine are robust, intact, and well preserved, with only mild surface wear, small marks, faint fading, and light rubbing at the edges and corners.
 
The gilt decoration remains bright and attractive.
 
The original slipcase shows some rubbing, light marks, and slight fading, but remains strong and protective, with no structural weakness or splitting.
 
Interior Condition
 
Internally, this pocket-sized Testament is clean and well preserved.
The pages are lightly tanned, consistent with age, and thin in texture, typical of Oxford India-style paper.
 
There is occasional light foxing to endpapers and prelims, with only a few tiny edge nicks to some leaves and a small tear on the back pastedown (not affecting text).
The facsimile pen markings appear throughout, integral to the edition, not handwritten additions.
 
There are no owner inscriptions, no pencil or pen writing, and all 362 pages are present.
Binding remains tight and secure, with only light gutter cracks at the endpapers.
 
Dimensions
 
Approx. 14.5 × 10 × 2 cm (in slipcase)
Weight: c.214g
 
Publishing Context
 
This edition was issued by the Marked Testament Committee to promote religious reading among seamen under the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen, founded in 1881. The Committee’s aim was to make Scripture accessible and personally engaging through visual emphasis, marking passages for reflection. Editions like this were distributed widely in maritime communities, but few survive today in such complete form with slipcase and promotional flyer.
 
Summary
 
A beautifully preserved, pocket-sized antiquarian Testament, notable for its Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen connection, facsimile hand markings, and original slipcase and specimen flyer. A rare devotional publication from the Oxford University Press, and an appealing collector’s item from the late Victorian to Edwardian religious print tradition.