FACSIMILE OF THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT OF

THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER.

Signed by Convocation December 20th, 1661, and attached to the Act of Uniformity, 1662 (13 & 14 Charles 2. Cap. 4).

Dedicated by Special Permission to Her Majesty the Queen.

Published 1891 by Eyre and Spottiswoode and C. J. Clay & Sons, Her Majesty’s Printers, London.

Preface of the Publishers,

This Book is a reproduction in facsimile of the Manuscript Book of Common Prayer which was attached or annexed to the Act of Uniformity, 13 & 14 Car. II., c. 4, and which, for this reason, is often called The Annexed Book. It is issued as a companion volume to the Book of Common Prayer revised by Convocation, A.D. 1661, which was reproduced in Facsimile A.D. 1871, for the Royal Commission on Ritual of 1867, and is commonly styled The Convocation Book. It was from this book that the Annexed Book was fairly written out.

The Annexed Book had been supposed to have been lost since the year 1819; it was, however, discovered in 1867. It had been preserved among the originals of the Acts of Parliament, which included the Act of Uniformity itself, but had been detached from the Act. When the Book was found it was placed and has since remained in the custody of the Librarian of the House of Lords.

The Book now reproduced has been lithographed by Her Majesty’s Printers from photographs of the original, taken by them, page by page, without disturbing the binding, and without removing the volume from the precincts of the House of Lords, or from the custody of Mr. J. H. Pulman, the present Librarian.

At the end of this volume will be found a facsimile of the back of the original book, in which the seven holes, through six of which the strings passed to attach the volume to the Act, as well as the ends of the six strings may be recognised. The Act of Uniformity still exhibits six holes corresponding exactly with the six strings.

The Book is the property of Her Majesty’s Printers and of the Cambridge University Press, under whose joint direction it has been produced.

It has not been thought necessary to reproduce the blank leaves which are added at the end of the original volume.

London, 1891.

There is also some newspaper clippings glued to the inside front cover which describe this edition, it’s rarity being one of only 750 copies available, and crediting the publishers and describing there work on this edition as magnificent, and is sure to be welcomed by all students and collectors. Please check item photographs to see/read the clippings.

The book is large and heavy, weighing 4.2kg, overseas postage will reflect the weight. The book measures 29cm x 40cm, 7cm thick.

Please look at all the photos for the best understanding of the condition and contents.

There are some signs of age, use and wear. The hard cover boards are discoloured and worn, however they remain bound adequately to the text block. Some loosening of the boards can be felt when handling. Some noticeable exterior surface splitting along top and bottom of the spine hinges, fraying of the cloth cover visible. Patches of wear dotted about, corners of the boards are bumped and worn. Edges of the boards and spine show wear. Although visible worn the cover remains functional, but great care should be taken whilst handling the book to prevent further loosening.

The front inner hinge has some splitting along the bottom third, webbing visible, but overall remains bound, rear hinge has no interior splitting.

The end pages are discoloured, the news paper clippings have created an imprint on the opposite page. No previous owner inscriptions.

Overall text block in good firm condition, no loose pages or missing pages. The contents appears little used, much of the pages remain uncut, the top edges still joined, common practice back in the day. Some age related yellowing or foxing present in a few places but nothing extreme.

Overall despite some wear this remains a good reading and collectible edition, a very rare and unique book worthy of joining a book collectors library.