Missal of Notre-Dame | Luxury Leather Binding | Antique French Missal 1891

A richly executed French Catholic missal from the late 19th century, published by Dalpayrat & Depelley in Limoges around 1891.

The Missel de Notre-Dame is bound in dark burgundy leather and finished with exceptionally exuberant gold tooling. Fine geometric and floral patterns frame the cover, while the spine features prominent raised bands, gilt ornaments, and the title MISSEL. The entire page edge is also gilt.

The luxurious execution continues on the inside with gold-colored textile endpapers, decorated with heraldic lions and cross motifs. The inner edges of the leather binding are also richly gilt.

The 544-page missal is extensively illustrated. The decorations were designed by Courtot and engraved by E. Tilly, depicting, among others, Notre-Dame de Lourdes, Notre-Dame de Fourvière, and Notre-Dame du Rosaire, surrounded by fine floral ornamentation. In addition, the book contains full-page religious art prints after artists including Murillo, Raphael, and Philippe de Champaigne.

Two old French devotional cards have also been preserved in the front, including a colorful communion card from the Parisian publisher C. Morel.

A highly decorative antique missal in which the French religious printing and bookbinding arts of the late 19th century beautifully converge.

Specifications

• Title: Missel de Notre-Dame
• Publisher: Dalpayrat & Depelley
• Place: Limoges, France
• Date: c. 1891
• Edition: No. 34
• Language: French
• Extent: 544 pages
• Binding: dark burgundy leather
• Page edges: fully gilt
• Endpapers: decorative gold-colored textile lining
• Decorations designed by: Courtot
• Engravings: E. Tilly
• With multiple full-page religious art prints
• With original tissue guards for various plates
• Includes two loose old French devotional cards
• Dimensions: approx. 13.5 × 10.5 cm
• Thickness: approx. 3 cm
• Condition: good antiquarian condition with age-related wear, light foxing, and signs of use to leather and gilding