1887 Antique French Leather Prayer Book (Livre de Prières) by Gruel et Engelmann

This is an exceptional 1887 5th edition copy of Livre de Prières à l'Usage des Hommes (Prayer Book for the Use of Men), compiled by Abbé A. Riche of the Congrégation des Prêtres de Saint-Sulpice.

This pocket-sized religious volume was published and beautifully custom-bound in Paris by the world-renowned high-art binding house Gruel et Engelmann at their historic 418, rue Saint-Honoré workshop.

The book features a full dark-brown textured leather cover accented with a delicate gold-stamped monogram on the front board and classic raised spine bands. Opening the cover reveals gorgeous gilded inner dentelle borders framing striking endpapers patterned with a repeating purple fleur-de-lis motif over a gold leaf background.

The interior is beautifully preserved, featuring a detailed engraved frontispiece of Christ enthroned as King. While the title page bears the original printing date of 1887 (M DCCC LXXXVII), the inner flyleaf is custom stamped in gold with the date May 26, 1898 (26 Mai 1898)—marking the exact date this bespoke luxury binding was finished to commemorate a special religious milestone or personal gift. A beautiful example of late 19th-century French bibliopegic craftsmanship.