Daily Missal with Deer | Mont-César & Brepols | 1951

French-Latin Catholic missal from 1951, published by the monks of the Abbey of Mont-César and printed by the historic Brepols in Turnhout.

This Missel Quotidien Commenté, Vespéral et Rituel is bound in a characterful brown leather cover. The front cover is decorated with a striking depiction of two deer at the water's edge, rendered in dark and gold-colored lines. The gold-stamped spine, full gilt edges, marbled endpapers, and various colored ribbon markers make it a particularly beautifully executed personal prayer book.

Inside, the missal contains the traditional Catholic liturgy in Latin and French, supplemented with vespers and ritual texts. Religious illustrations, including a crucifixion scene after Jean Wierix, are included throughout the book.

The history of use is clearly visible. The leather cover and spine, in particular, show significant wear, with damage and detached sections along the spine. It is precisely this weathered binding that has acquired a special character, while the extensive contents remain well-preserved and readable. The gilt edges and original ribbon markers have also been preserved.

An attractive piece of Catholic devotionalia from the mid-twentieth century, interesting both as a liturgical book and a decorative collector's item.

Details

• Title: Missel Quotidien Commenté, Vespéral et Rituel
• Collaboration: Dom Bernard Capelle and the monks of Mont-César
• Publisher: Éditions du Mont César
• Printer: Établissements Brepols S.A., Turnhout
• Origin: Belgium
• Date: 1951
• Period: mid-20th century
• Language: French and Latin
• Religion: Roman Catholic
• Type: daily missal, vespers, and ritual
• Binding: brown leather binding with deer decoration
• Finish: gilt edges and gold-stamped details
• Endpapers: marbled
• Ribbon markers: multiple colored ribbons
• Illustrations: religious reproductions, including work after Jean Wierix
• Dimensions: approx. 16 × 10 × 5 cm
• Condition: weathered vintage condition with clear wear and damage, particularly to the cover and spine
• Special features: original decorative deer binding and visible patina from use