Pearls and Blossoms (1873) - Catholic Prayer Book with Purple Velvet, Metal Fittings and Gilded Edges

A beautifully finished Catholic prayer book from 1873, published by Conrad Berg in Vienna. This compact 19th-century copy of Perlen und Blüthen aus dem Reiche Gottes features a deep purple velvet binding, richly decorated gold-colored metal fittings, and gilt edges around the text block.

The front cover is adorned with a central cross ornament, framed by elegant floral motifs and two horizontal metal decorative bands. The back cover is also covered in purple velvet and finished with a metal border. On the spine is a small metal title plate with the text 'Gebetbuch'.

The book opens with an image of Mary with the Christ Child, followed by a richly illustrated title page in color. On this page, two angels flank the title, surrounded by decorative ornaments and gilded accents. The interior is printed in traditional German Fraktur letters, with decorative initials and refined decorative borders.

This fourth edition from 1873 contains an extensive collection of Catholic prayers and devotional exercises, including morning and evening prayers, prayers for special life circumstances, communion prayers, and ecclesiastical hymns. The edition was published with the ecclesiastical approval of the consistory of Salzburg.

The endpaper contains several historical handwritten notes and dates, including entries from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They form a tangible part of the usage history of this copy.

A characteristic example of a luxurious Catholic prayer book from the Austro-Hungarian period, with a striking decorative binding and authentic signs of use.

Specifications and details

• Title: Perlen und Blüthen aus dem Reiche Gottes
• Publisher: Conrad Berg, formerly L. Wallner's Verlagsbuchhandlung
• Place and year: Vienna, Austria-Hungary, 1873
• Edition: Fourth edition, second small format
• Language: German, printed in Fraktur script
• Dimensions: approximately 11 × 8 × 3.5 cm
• Binding: Purple velvet with gold-colored metal fittings and cross ornament
• Text block: Gilt edges on three sides
• Illustrations: Colored illustrated title page and image of Mary with the Christ Child
• Special features: Historical handwritten inscriptions and dates on the endpaper
• Period: 19th century, antique

Condition

The book is in moderate antique condition. The velvet binding shows wear, particularly along the spine and edges. The original closing part of the metal clasp is missing.

The interior is largely well preserved, with slight age discoloration and signs of use. However, at the back there is a significant break in the binding, at the level of the table of contents around pages 444 to 447. One page has also become detached. The printed content appears to be otherwise present, but completeness has not been checked page by page.

Please examine the photos carefully for a complete picture of the binding and the mentioned damage.