1643 "Whole Booke of Psalmes" with Beautiful 17th Century Embroidered Binding and Contemporary Lady's Ownership Inscription

The "Whole Booke of Psalmes" with Beautiful 17th Century Embroidered Binding and contemporary Lady's Ownership Inscription

"The Whole Booke of Psalmes. Collected into English meeter by Thomas Sternhold, John Hopkins, and others, London: Imprinted by I. L. for the Company of Stationers, 1643"

-London - Company of Stationers - 1643

-32mo (85 x 55 mm approx)

The delicate embroidered binding depicts a rose on one side and colourful grapes on the other, both within oval borders made with silver thread. There are floral decorations to the spine and gilt edges to the text block

Contemporary ownership inscription of Mazey Hensman 1687 inside front board.

Complete text including final blank. Internally very good condition with some marks and soiling. Binding with some rubbing, wear and fading but generally very good. Ties lacking.

This would have been an important and highly personal devotional book for the young owner, Mazey Hensman. Embroidered bindings were popular during the 1600s in England and the binding would have been personalised according to her preferences. The book would likely have been used daily for personal prayer and was pocket size so that it could be carried with her. Due to their fragility and frequent use, many bindings do not survive well so this binding is in good condition for its age. 

Provenance: Ralph Ewart Ford (1897-1974): Engineer, Bibliophile and Collector of English Bibles.