The Treasury Of Devotion, A Manual of Prayer, 1899, Fine Zaehnsdorf Binding

THE TREASURY OF DEVOTION. 
A manual of Prayer for General and Daily Use.

Compiled by a Priest. Edited by Rev. T. T. Carter, M.A. Hon. Canon of Christ Church, Oxford.

Twenty-second Impression. Printed 1899, by Longmans, Green, And Co.

Finely bound by Zaehnsdorf, their standard gilt stamped "Bound by Zaehnsdorf 1901" on upper board turn in. This is an exhibition binding, with faint blindstamp of a binding hammerer on rear pastedown, a detail associated with their exhibition bindings. 

Thomas Thellusson Carter SSC (19 March 1808 – 28 October 1901) often known as T. T. Carter, was a significant figure in the Victorian Church of England. He was responsible for reintroducing some Catholic practices to the church and being the founder of the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament. He also founded several charitable organisations. Interestingly the Zaehnsdorf binding was commissioned 1901, the year of T. T. Carters death. The rear board has a gilt monogram at its centre, SA, with no further details provided. 

CONDITION:

There are clear signs of age, use and wear. The crushed burgundy morocco binding has shelf wear along the edges of the boards, corners worn, some light surface marks and scratches. Some slight darkening of the spine, likely natural oils from handling. Headband loosening, lacking endband. Attractive gilt stamped decoration on both boards and spine. A floral arrangment, branches with leaves twisting around compartments containing roses, leaves and either crowns or another type of flower head? Similar detail within the raised bands on the spine, including title, Carter, and 1899. Upper board has a white metal cross in its centre, remaining firmly in place, some darkening of the metal, could be silver but isn't hallmarked. Rear board has a monogram SA in the centre. Overall binding has clear wear, well used, frequently handled, but still remaining attractive. Gilt page edges are rubbed and scratched, dulled overall. Hinges holding well, although rear end paper cracked almost entirely, sits well in place. Floral gilt decoration on turn ins, gilt stamped Zaehnsdorf makers mark on upper board bottom edge turn in. The turn ins are a little soiled, edges darkened, gilt still bright. Burgundy paste downs and flyleaf. Rear pastedown has the Zaehnsdorf blindstamped exhibition mark along the bottom edge.

The text block is age toned throughout, general yellowing of the pages. Some light foxing around the margins of the first and last few pages. From pages 70-90 there is an unusually high amount of foxing and darkening of the paper overall, likely originating from the glued in paper inserted between pages 72-73. The previous owner decided to add The Preparation at Holy Communion from a different source. This has been glued onto the gutter margin of page 73, not covering any original text. It is the few pages either side of this most affected by the foxing. There are no other additions, inscriptions, highlighting or notes. A couple of creases/corner folds throughout.

Overall the book remains in good reading condition, but has been well used by its previous owner. A good thing perhaps, to see a book of devotion used as intended. Despite its used condition the book remains attractive, gilt decoration generally still bright, not a common edition in fine binding. Interesting the Zaehnsdorf binding was commissioned the year of the authors passing, unfortunate that we couldn't identify the monogram in more detail.

The book measures 10.5cm x 15cm, 2.5cm thick.

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