The Book of Common Prayer

The Book of Common Prayer, the third and last octavo edition from the press of the acclaimed type-founder John Baskerville (1707-1775).

• Printed by John Baskerville (English).
• The Book of Common Prayer, and administration of the sacraments, and other rites and ceremonies of the church, according to the use of the Church of England: together with the psalter or psalms of David, pointed as they are to be sung or said in churches.
• Cambridge: Printed by John Baskerville, printer to the university; by whom they are sold, and by B. Dod, Bookseller, 1762.
• Large octavo.
• Bound in contemporary blue-green morocco, panels with wide gilt borders of alternating flowers and urns, morocco label centerpiece to upper panel lettered "Abijah Mellor" in gilt within scalloped seedhead border, flanked by floral sprays and laurel-dove tools in gilt, gilt spine in six compartments with an allover design of alternating flowers and lozenges, all edges gilt.

"Baskerville was one of the giants of English typography, introducing a number of innovations, including the eponymous typeface still in use today. His typefaces were finely constructed, his designs simple, and spare, and made great use of white space. He also pioneered the development of fine papers for printing" (Society of Archbishop Justus).

Abijah Mellor (ownership inscription and label).

Abijah Mellor was a jeweler and silversmith, who established his business in Derby in 1750, being the first to set up such an industry in the town. His output was apparently deemed superior to any other such establishment in the country, with the exception only of London manufacturers, and at one time he had 300 men in his employ.