Scottish Prayer Book
The Booke of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments
£1,071
Auction: 05 February 2025 from 10:00 GMT
Description
And other parts of divine Service for the use of the Church of Scotland [part 2: The Psalter, or, Psalmes of David … pointed as they shall be said or sung throughout all the Churches of Scotland]. Edinburgh: printed by Robert Young, Printer to the King's most Excellent Majestie, 1637. 2 parts in 1 volume, folio (27.4 x 18cm), collates a-b8 A-Q8 R6 2a-2i8 2k6, contemporary sprinkled calf ruled in blind, text mainly in black letter, title-page and calendar printed in red and black, type-ornament border and woodcut device to title-page, type-ornament headpieces and woodcut factotums and initials throughout, short cracks to joints-ends, title-page slightly soiled in fore margin, closed marginal tear in Q9, 2h3 apparently a cancel (the leaf shorter and tipped to 2h2 v.), quires 2h-2k with light damp-staining and concomitant softening to fore margins, a few marks elsewhere
Provenance
From the library of the Murrays of Dollerie, Crieff, Perthshire. Ownership inscription ‘Ex libris Jacobi Murray 1709’ to head of title-page and engraved bookplate (Murray Esqr. of Crieff) to front pastedown.
Footnote
First edition of Archbishop Laud's version of the Book of Common Prayer for Scottish churches, the imposition of which provoked Scotland into open rebellion against Charles I, leading to the drawing up of the National Covenant and the epochal conflagration of the British Civil Wars. Known to posterity as ‘Laud’s Liturgy', its first reading at St Giles's Cathedral Edinburgh on 23rd July 1637 was met with rioting by the congregation, ignited according to legend by market-trader Jenny Geddes, who is reputed to have thrown her stool at the presiding dean. Another copy was sold in these rooms on 19th September 2024 (lot 92).