The Miracles of Our Lord

London: Longman & Co, 1848. First edition. Hardcover. Very good. 8vo. iv,(1),31,(2)pp. Thirty-two pages are chromolithographed by Humphreys, in addition there is a leaf of the illuminator' s remarks and one comprising an index of the miracles. Bound in the original black papier-mache covers designed to look like carved ebony. The binding was based on one carved in ivory in the 12th Century and has medallions of the principal miracles intertwined with ornate decorations and the title. The front and rear covers are identical. The book is exuberantly illustrated using chromolithography on 32 pages alternating between hot bright colors and cool pages subtly tinted with various shades, the whole combining to make both a magnificent tribute to Medieval illustration and to the then new and novel technique of chromolithography. Marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Nicely rebacked in plain black leather;; a few small cracks in the binding, edges and corners neatly mended, but a very good copy. The Art of Publishers' Bookbindings, 160-162. Housed in a custom slipcase.