Treasure of the Christian - Joan. J. M. Pluym - Gabriel & Co. Einsiedeln, Switzerland ca. 1910

A small Roman Catholic pocket prayer book from the early twentieth century, bound in leather and featuring a remarkably well-preserved gilded edge.

Schat van den Christen. Gebeden en overwegingen ter zaligheid ("Treasure of the Christian. Prayers and reflections for salvation") was compiled by the Redemptorist Joan. J. M. Pluym and published by Gabriel & Co. in Einsiedeln, Switzerland. The book contains an extensive collection of prayers and devotions for daily Catholic life, including morning and evening prayers, prayers for the Holy Mass, the Stations of the Cross, confession and communion prayers, litanies, and devotions to Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The elegant execution makes this little book particularly attractive. The black-grey leather binding is decorated with a gold-stamped cross, while the spine features ornamental bands and a gilded title. The pages are gilded on all sides, and the gold edge has retained its luster remarkably well. Inside, the texts are printed in black with decorative red borders. Decorated endpapers and a religious image of Mary complete the volume.

The book includes ecclesiastical approvals from Amsterdam in 1906 and Budweis in 1907. The edition presumably dates from the early twentieth century.

Despite its age, the book is in good antiquarian condition. The binding is firm and the interior has been well preserved. The leather binding shows signs of use and wear along the edges and spine, with the gilded spine lettering partially faded. The fully gilded edge is exceptionally well preserved.

Details

• Title: Schat van den Christen
• Subtitle: Gebeden en overwegingen ter zaligheid
• Author: Joan. J. M. Pluym C.SS.R.
• Religious order: Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, Redemptorists
• Publisher: Gabriel & Co.
• Place of publication: Einsiedeln, Switzerland
• Date: presumably circa 1910-1920
• Language: Dutch
• Religion: Roman Catholic
• Type: prayer book / devotional book
• Extent: 256 numbered pages
• Dimensions: approx. 10 × 6 cm
• Thickness: approx. 1.8 cm
• Binding material: leather
• Color: black-grey
• Cover decoration: gold-stamped cross
• Spine: ornamental bands and gilded title
• Edges: fully gilded
• Endpapers: decoratively printed paper
• Printing: black with decorative red borders
• Illustrations: including an image of Mary
• Ecclesiastical approvals: Amsterdam 1906 and Budweis 1907
• Imprimatur number: 8.858
• Binding: firm and well intact
• Status: good antiquarian condition
• Condition: clean pages and very well-preserved gilded edge. Age-related wear to the leather, particularly at the corners and ends of the spine. Gilded spine lettering partially faded.