"In the Service of the King" Baby Blue Cloth Book

A charming late Victorian devotional volume in a particularly appealing floral cloth binding, In the Service of the King brings together religious verse centered on faith, Christian duty, and spiritual devotion. Published by Groombridge & Sons of London, likely in the 1890s, it reflects the strong appetite for uplifting religious reading in 19th-century Britain.

The collection includes poems by F. R. Havergal, C. Murray, E. S. Elliott, and others, written to encourage piety, reflection, and a life of service to Christ. Books like this were often kept in the home for quiet reading or given as meaningful gift books, and this example still carries that warm Victorian presence.

Its pale green cloth binding is one of its best features, decorated with an ornate floral design in rich autumnal tones and a decorative title panel to the front board. Small in size and easy to display, it is a lovely choice for collectors of Victorian bindings, devotional books, and decorative antique volumes.

[d]Title | In the Service of the King [d]Author | F. R. Havergal, C. Murray, E. S. Elliott, and others [d]Publisher | Groombridge & Sons [d]Date | Circa 1890s [d]Binding | Decorative green cloth, hardcover [d]Origin | London, England [d]Genre | Victorian devotional poetry [d]Language | English

[condition] The green cloth cover retains its color well, with minor rubbing at the edges and corners consistent with age and handling. The floral stamped design and title panel remain crisp with minimal fading, suggesting the book was treated carefully over its life. Internally, the pages show typical age-toning throughout, and occasional foxing may be present. The binding is solid with hinges intact. A good, honest copy of a late Victorian devotional volume.