“Finger” Book of Common Prayer

5j Book of Common Prayer. Oxford: University Press, ca. 1880s

Description

The Book of Common Prayer is a foundational text for the Anglican Church, first compiled in 1549 under the direction of Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, during the English Reformation. It was created to provide a unified, English-language guide for worship, replacing the Latin liturgical books previously used in England. The book includes services for daily prayer, the Eucharist, baptisms, weddings, funerals, and other rites, as well as a calendar of saints and readings from Scripture.

Revised several times over the centuries—most notably in 1552, 1662, and in modern versions used by various Anglican and Episcopal churches—the Book of Common Prayer has had a lasting impact on English-speaking Christianity. Its language has shaped not only religious practice but also English literature and public life, offering a balance of formality, beauty, and theological clarity that continues to resonate in both traditional and contemporary worship.

The finger Book of Common Prayer is a miniature version of the Book of Common Prayer, often created as a novelty or devotional item. Words measuring only a few centimeters in size, these tiny books sometimes contain the full text of the Book of Common Prayer, printed on extremely thin, delicate pages. The earliest examples date back to the 19th century, made possible by advances in printing technology. While not typically intended for regular reading due to their size, finger Books of Common Prayer have been used as travel companions, symbolic gifts, and collector’s items, reflecting both craftsmanship and the desire to carry scripture in a compact form.

Description

Black soft leather binding with gilt lettering to upper board. Half title page creased. All edges gilt. Fading to leather along extremities and points. Fully intact. Fine condition overall.