c1807 Book of Common Prayer — Cambridge Stereotype Edition, Red Morocco Leather (complete)
 
Brief overview
 
A historically interesting early 19th-century Church of England liturgical volume: The Book of Common Prayer together with The Psalter, Cambridge stereotype edition, printed by R. Watts (printer to the University, Cambridge) and sold by Rivington, Mawman and Deighton. The pencil date on the front free endpaper and the printer attribution place this copy at c.1807. Bound in red Morocco leather with edge gilt and marbled pastedowns, this is a complete, working copy showing heavy period use.
 
Bibliographic & dating notes
 
Title: The Book of Common Prayer; with The Psalter or Psalms of David, pointed as they are to be sung or said in Churches. (Cambridge Stereotype Edition)
Printer / Imprint details on title page: Stereotyped and printed by R. Watts, printer to the University, Cambridge; sold by Rivington, Mawman and Deighton.
Dating: R. Watts was printer to the University from 1802. A pencil inscription dated 1807 on the reverse of the front free endpaper supports a latest-possible date of 1807, so the book was likely published between 1802 and 1807.
Format / pages: 360 pp, Book of Common Prayer; 96 pp, Psalter (all pages present). Additional loose sheet: “Words of Hymns for Coronation Services” retained in the book.
 
Exterior condition (cover & binding)
 
Binding: Red Morocco leather over boards, gilt-edged pages, marbled pastedowns and endpapers. Spine panelled with gilt lettering reading “Common Prayer.”
Condition: Binding intact and structurally sound but well-worn from use and age. Notable rubbing and losses to spine ends and long edges of the spine. Corner bumping and rubbing to board edges. Surface wear consistent with heavy handling. Edge gilt present but dulled. See photos for detail.
 
Interior condition (text block & plates)
 
General: Pages tanned throughout with light to moderate age spotting and small marks consistent with heavy use. Predominantly legible and complete.
Rips / damage: Many pages show small tears or holes at the edges that do not obscure text. Larger tears noted at pages 11/12 and a more significant tear at page 115 (images available). Pages 96-110 are loose within the book but present. Several pages are partially loose at one side of the inner binding but still attached. Light or partial cracks in the gutter between a handful of pages.
Inscriptions / provenance marks: Pencil inscription dated 1807 on reverse of front free endpaper and a pen inscription on the front flyleaf. No evidence of later excisions.
Completeness: All Prayer Book and Psalms pages present and accounted for.
 
Condition summary
 
This is a complete, c.1807 Cambridge stereotype Book of Common Prayer in original red Morocco. The binding is intact but heavily rubbed at the spine and corners. Internally the volume is complete but well used: many small edge tears, a handful of loose leaves to one side, and several partial cracks in the gutters. Unlike a fine collector copy, this one is a well-used working volume that retains complete text and historic interest.
 
Measurements & weight
 
Size: approx. 21.8 × 13.8 × 3.6 cm
Weight: approx. 649 g
Pagination: Book of Common Prayer 360 pp; Psalter 96 pp; additional retained loose sheet.
 
Provenance & interest
 
Cambridge stereotype edition printed by R. Watts, printer to the University. The early 1800s imprint and pencil date make this an early 19th-century liturgical item, appealing to collectors of ecclesiastical books, Cambridge imprints, and Regency/Georgian devotional material. The retained coronation hymns sheet adds a small provenance/ephemera interest.