The Book of Common Prayer

folio (405 x 250mm), engraved frontispiece of the Sheldonian Theatre, title page within two rules, text in two columns, ruled in red throughout, in a St James's Chapel binding, contemporary dark brown goatskin elaborately tooled in gilt and blind, lettered on upper cover "S^t James's | Chappel", cornerpieces of Queen Anne's crowned monogram, spine gilt in compartments with the same monogram, gilt edges, with 2 wide blue watered silk page markers with tassels of gold thread loosely inserted, lacking two pairs of silk ties, binding somewhat rubbed
[with, loosely inserted:] Letters Patent, in the name of Edmund Gibson, Bishop of London, granting a vault in St James's Churchyard to Viscount Lanesborough, one vellum membrane, pendant papered seal, 1724

Henry Compton (1632-1713), Bishop of London and Dean of the Chapels Royal; by descent to his great-nephew William Compton, LLD (inscription on front endpaper). Henry's niece Mary married the second Viscount Lanesborough, who died in 1724.

Griffiths, 1704, no.1

Condition is described in the main body of the catalogue, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This book was in use in the Chapel Royal of St James's Palace (not to be confused with Inigo Jones's Queen's Chapel opposite the palace on Marlborough Road) under Queen Anne, when it was the monarch's principal London residence.

The binding is likely to be by Robert Steel; see Nixon, Restoration Bindings no. 35 for a very similar design, also using gilt and blind decoration, made by Steel for William III, also on a Book of Common Prayer (1693). Steel was active between 1668, when he was apprenticed to Samuel Mearne, and 1710. J.R. Abbey, English Bindings, no.66 is a Book of Common Prayer dated 1704 with a binding also featuring Queen Anne's monogram covering the sides, which was presumed to belong to a chapel royal, and a similar binding lettered "Windsor Chapel Royal" was sold at Sotheby's, 20 May 1903, lot 790, for £63.