der Geloovigen Dutch Catholic Prayer Book
der Geloovigen Dutch Catholic Prayer Book
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Den Schat der Geloovigen sits at the intersection of two things I find genuinely moving: the material culture of private devotion and the moment in Dutch Catholic history when that culture was allowed to flourish again. After the restoration of the Catholic hierarchy in the Netherlands in 1853, vernacular prayer books like this one became both a practical necessity and a quiet assertion of faith. They were made to be carried, to be used, to be worn in by the hands of the person who prayed from them.
This copy is a new edition published by B. Lenfering of Amsterdam, issued with full ecclesiastical approval, "Met goedkeuring," and produced at a standard that placed it firmly in the upper tier of personal devotional objects. The embossed brown leather binding carries a Gothic-style central panel with fleur-de-lis ornament, the spine rises on bands with gilt titling, and the edges are fully gilt and still catch the light. Inside, chromolithographic and engraved devotional plates alternate with pages framed in warm orange ornamental borders throughout. For a book intended for daily use, the care given to its production is notable. Whoever owned this originally was not buying a utilitarian object. They were buying something they intended to keep.
The binding is intact and holding well, with edge wear, corner rubbing, and a gentle rounding to the boards that speaks to years of genuine use. The gilt edges remain strong and visually reflective despite this wear. Foxing is present throughout the text block, ranging from light scattered spotting to heavier concentrations on some leaves. Tissue guards are present but toned and foxed in keeping with the rest of the book. The plates appear to be present and intact, though a full collation to confirm completeness has not yet been performed and will be noted once done. Overall this is a sound, displayable copy of an attractive devotional object, with honest wear that reflects its purpose and period.
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