Beschreibung:

PORTEUS, Beilby (1807-?1875, Canon, illuminator). The Gospel Narrative; or most holy life of Our Blessed Saviour. Illustrated with photographs from modern & ancient masters. 12 June 1861 - 14 December 1869. 4° (244 x 216mm.). ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT IN THICK PAPER. 150 leaves. Rubricated throughout, most pages with at least one and up to five mounted photographs after paintings and engravings, the fine calligraphic text (generally on the left-hand page) in various styles incorporating elaborately illuminated polychrome initials, words within the text frequently highlighted by illumination or use of coloured inks, the illustrations (generally on the right-hand page) with fine full-page polychromatic borders in various styles, but incorporating grotesques, flowers, insects and plants. Heightened with gilt throughout. Mounted on guards throughout. Half-title (verso: dedication 'To his dear wife & children...' with a photograph of Porteus), 1 leaf with photographs mounted recto and verso, title (photograph on verso), 15pp. 'Introduction', 281pp. text. Original brown morocco over bevelled wooden boards, elaborately tooled in gilt and black, the covers with five sunken circular or oval panels, those on the upper cover containing silvered 'bosses' with various religious images in semi-relief, turn-ins tooled in gilt and black, blue watered silk liners, g.e., by Ackermann (very slight scuffing), contemporary stained oak box, decorated with various ormalu furniture mounts, the cover with a central gilded circular presentation plaque. Provenance : Canon Beilby Porteus; Mary, Lady Teignmouth (d.1934, daughter of Canon Porteus); Lord Teignmouth (inscription, dated 1959) A FINE EXAMPLE OF HIGH-VICTORIANA executed with no little skill, and obviously, as the dedication mentions, a true 'labour of love'.