About this Item
Holy Bible, Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1799. With a gift inscription from Princess Amelia (1783-1810) to Princess Mary, Duchess of Gloucester and Edinburgh (1776-1857), daughters of King George III. Inscription from Princess Amelia reads: 'This book is given to my ever dearest Mary by her affectionate sister, Amelia, Kew House, May 29th 1801'. The next opening blank page contains a two page manuscript prayer, dated 19 October 1810 (in the final weeks of Princess Amelia's life), itself followed by a footnote (presumably in Mary's hand) that reads: 'Prayer poor Amelia used to say the last few days/weeks before her death.' The entire prayer reads: 'O Good God thou hast long kept thy servant under thy afflicting hand, Thou hast made me acquainted with grief and sickness - O thou so art full of compassion to thy suffering creations and masterest whom thou lovest. O do thou in thy great mercy grant me a happy conclusion to the afflictions with which thou hast seen good to beset me - Hear me O father of mercies and say to my affliction, it is enough as pardon all my sins for the sake of thy Bless'd Saviour and in thy good time take me to that happiness which he has prepar'd for me.' Princess Amelia died on 2 November 1810, nursed and looked after to the last by her devoted sister, Mary. It is well-documented that Amelia and Mary were beloved companions. Octavo, full straight grain morocco lettered in gilt, all edges gilt, pink endpapers (first free endpaper loose). Contents generally good and bright with the occasional pale spot, the text-block rather loose at inner gutter in a few pages in the middle of the Bible, opening leaves with toning & ink spots/marks; the binding is worn, the book evidently having been read and the gilt edges are rubbed. Customers outside the UK, please contact me first for a shipping and insurance quote, thanks.
Seller Inventory # ABE-1668867424830
Contact seller
Report this item