Antique French Liturgical Book – Vesperal Romain, Marseille Edition, c. 1880–1900

A relic of devotion and French printing history, this Vesperal Romain (Roman Vesperal) contains the complete offices of vespers — the evening prayers of the Catholic Church — for every day of the year, including Holy Week, Easter, and the Offices of the Dead.

Printed in Marseille by J. Mingardon, Libraire-Éditeur, this edition dates to the late 19th century (c. 1880–1900). It was published with the approval of the Commission Ecclésiastique de Digne and intended for clergy across the dioceses of southern France (Marseille, Avignon, Carcassonne, Montpellier, Nice, and beyond).

The binding is original calf leather with gilt-tooled spine, now attractively distressed with time and devotional use. Inside, the volume reveals striking marbled endpapers in vivid blues with red and gold veining, a detail collectors prize. Despite the wear to the exterior, the text block remains intact, its patina telling the story of generations of faithful use.

Why it matters: Liturgical books were daily companions of clergy, handled constantly and rarely surviving in complete form. This example, over 120 years old, is more than a book: it is both a devotional relic and a decorative object with gravitas. Antique French religious volumes such as this are sought by collectors, designers, and Francophiles alike, prized for their craftsmanship, typography, and sense of continuity with the past.

Dimensions: approx. 7” x 4.5” x 2” (to be confirmed)
Condition: Binding heavily worn with losses to leather; interior pages remain complete and legible; marbled paper beautifully preserved.

⚠️ Château Policy – This piece is timeless, not flawless and has been collected with care:
🇫🇷 Vintage and antique items will show the natural patina and wear of their age.
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