The Imitation of Jesus Christ | Gonnelieu | Brussels 1844

A beautiful 19th-century French edition of L'Imitation de Jésus-Christ, printed and published in 1844 by M. Vanderborght in Brussels. The work, known in Dutch as De navolging van Christus, is among the most famous Christian devotional texts and has been used for centuries for personal reflection and prayer.

In addition to the text of L'Imitation de Jésus-Christ, this edition contains the practical and devotional additions of the Jesuit Jérôme de Gonnelieu, including prayers at the end of the chapters, prayers during Mass, and texts concerning the Eucharist. At the back is an extensive table of readings for various spiritual needs.

The book is bound in a dark decorated cover with gilt lines and spine title. The colorfully marbled endpapers and red-dyed page edges are still present, giving the compact book a particularly beautiful 19th-century appearance.

After more than 180 years, the binding shows clear but appropriate signs of use. The binding is somewhat weakened, but still intact. A characterful and authentic religious book from 1844 that is interesting both as a historical object and for a collection of old Catholic books.

Details:

• Title: L'Imitation de Jésus-Christ
• Attributed author of original text: Thomas a Kempis
• Devotional adaptation: R.P. Jérôme de Gonnelieu, S.J.
• Publisher: M. Vanderborght, Imprimeur-Libraire
• Place: Brussels, Belgium
• Year: 1844
• Language: French
• Format: approx. 14.5 × 10 cm
• Thickness: approx. 3 cm
• Pages: text runs to approx. 472 pages
• Binding: dark decorated, presumably leather
• Decoration: gilt spine title and lines
• Endpapers: multicolored marbled paper
• Edges: red-dyed
• Subject: Catholic spirituality, prayer and Eucharist
• Condition: good antiquarian condition with signs of age and use; binding somewhat weakened but still intact