Antique French Religious Custom Bound Devotional Book circa 1818

The text, written by Karl von Eckartshausen, is beautifully bound in red morocco leather. The binding is unusual in that there are two custom made, hand tooled images along the spine, of men in prayer kneeling above a fallen cross.

Eckartshausen was a German Catholic mystic, author, and philosopher. This title was among his most beloved works. This edition was published in 1818, Imprimerie Prudont in Dole. The text "Dieu, est l'Amour Le Plus Pur" is augmented with Mass and Vespers.

During this period of time, a person could buy an unbound text from the printer and then take it to his local binder for a custom binding. Piles of leathers, hundreds of hand tooled designs, imparted the ability for unusual and very thoughtful bindings.

The front and back boards of the binding bear delicate hand tooled gilt frames (repeating diamonds and circles, single line and repeating "V"'s). The spine is divided into six compartments. The top, bottom and middle hold the custom tool gilt stamp of a kneeling man above a fallen cross. There are two compartments filled by a single six pointed star. Scrolling bands are placed at the top and bottom of the spine.

The inner boards are marbled (hand made) paper. The page edges are gilt tooled (faded with light and time). The French text is beautifully printed with easily found titles and sections. There are manuscript notes (including a recipe for mint essential oil with Roman measures) in the front and back end pages.

The binding does show a fair bit of wear on the corners (rounding down to the inner boards). The gilt tooling has faded a bit and the red morocco is darker due to use and age. It measures: 5 1/2" x 3 1/4" x 1" thick. Please study the photos as they are the best description of condition.

It is a beautiful text, housed in a binding which echos (with the gilt tooling) the sentiment of the title.