1866 John Keble The Christian Year

Edward Keble’s devotional cycle in a small leather binding, this fifty-fifth edition of The Christian Year was published at Oxford by James Parker and Co. in 1866, the year of Keble’s death. The boards are dressed in black ruled panels with cross-form corner ornaments, a red cross outlined in gilt at the front, and a red spine label lettered Christian Year. An early gift inscription dated December 30th, 1866 appears at the front, written only months after Keble died on March 29 of that year. A handsome devotional copy with strong period character.

[d]Author | John Keble (1792-1866)

[d]Title | The Christian Year: Thoughts in Verse for the Sundays and Holydays Throughout the Year

[d]Publisher | James Parker and Co., Oxford and 377 Strand, London

[d]Date | 1866 (MDCCCLXVI)

[d]Edition | Fifty-fifth Edition stated

[d]Binding | Full leather, black ruled panels with cross-form corners, red cross with gilt outline to front board, red spine label, gilt edges

[d]Dimensions | 5.75 in H x 3.75 in W x 1 in D

[d]Language | English

[d]Origin | England

[d]Inscription | Early gift inscription dated December 30th, 1866, reading "Edward Hawthorn[e] from his friend B.S."

[condition]

The leather binding is intact and presents well, with black ruled panel decoration, cross-form corner ornaments, and the red front cross with gilt outline all clearly defined. The red spine label is bright and legible. Gilt page edges are present on all three sides and remain crisp. The text block is clean and tight. The early ownership inscription at the front, dated December 30th, 1866, is part of the book's provenance and adds historical interest given its proximity to Keble's death earlier that same year. Light handling wear consistent with age and use as a personal devotional volume.