Guide to Heaven | Czech Catholic prayer book with gilt edges | c. 1900

This small Czech prayer book, titled Vůdce k nebi (Guide to Heaven), was published around 1900 by Emanuel Fišer in Vysoké Mýto, in historic Bohemia.

The book contains an extensive collection of Catholic prayers and hymns, compiled by a priest with the initials V. S. In addition to morning and evening prayers, it includes texts for the Holy Mass, special feast days, betrothal and marriage, as well as prayers for the deceased. The book also contains hymns and prayers in honor of several saints, including the saints important to Czech history, Cyril, Methodius and Wenceslaus.

The binding is characteristic of personal prayer books from this period. The compact book has a sturdy, glossy black cover with slightly convex boards and gilt edges. The cover was originally fitted with an ornamental clasp and closure, the attachment marks of which are still visible. Inside is a decorative, multicoloured title page and a religious image of Christ at the Cross.

An exceptionally small book from the Bohemian Catholic tradition, interesting to collectors of historical devotional items, religious books and Czech printed matter.

Details

• Title: Vůdce k nebi
• Meaning: Guide to Heaven
• Type: Catholic prayer and hymn book
• Publisher: Emanuel Fišer, Vysoké Mýto
• Printer: Karel Šolc, Kutná Hora
• Origin: Bohemia, now Czech Republic
• Period: Presumably circa 1890–1920
• Language: Czech
• Dimensions: circa 11 × 8 × 3 cm
• Extent: At least 372 numbered pages
• Binding: Hard, glossy black binding with slightly convex boards
• Edges: Gilt
• Illustrations: Religious image and decorative title page
• Condition: Historically used, with discolouration, wear and localised signs of damp. The original ornament and closure are missing. The binding shows damage at the hinges. The text block is largely firm and the text is clearly legible.