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[Church of England].
The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the Use of the Chruch of England: Together with the Psalter or Psalms of David, Pointed as they are to be Sung or Said in Churches; and the Form or Manner of Making, Ordaining, and Consecrating of Bishops, Priests, and Deacons.
Publisher: Printed by John Baskett and Robert Baskett, Printers to the King’s most Excellent Majesty, London;
Date of Publication: 1742
Stock Code: 15019
Folio, pp., [370 ], sig., π1 a-c⁴ A-2Z⁴ 3A1, plus engraved frontispiece. Collated and complete. Titled in red and black within rules. Contemporary full mottled calf, spine on six raised bands, gilt George II monogram to compartments; dated in gilt to boards within gilt fillet border, George II monogram in gilt to corners; all edges gilt. Housed in racing green solander box. Calligraphic book label of ‘Prince Gregory // 1742’ pinned to front paste-down, contemporary ownership inscription of ‘Margaret Gregory’, inscription of ‘Mary Goodyear March ye 8th 1793 // given her by her aunt Margarey’, and book-plate of G. A. Dineley Goodyear to same. Previous inscription by Margaret Gregory obliterated. Binding rubbed, joints cracked but holding, loss to head and foot of spine. Light soiling to foot of some gatherings, small wormhole, light scattered foxing from 2B1-2D1. A well presented folio Book of Common Prayer owned by a family of musicians to the crown. The book’s former owner Prince Gregory was gentleman of the Chapel Royal from 1740 to 1755 (DNB, William Gregory). The Gregorys had a storied family history as musicians to the crown, Prince’s ancestors included the composer William Gregory (d. 1663), violinist to Charles I; Henry Gregory, member of the King’s band to Charles II; and the ‘singing man’ John Gregory. Less can be ascertained about the lives of Margarey and Mary Gregory, who inherited their book from their relative, Prince. An interesting family copy which warrants further research. £500.00