1901 Book of Common Prayer and Hymns

[Guidingspirit]

Hi there,
              I inherited a 1901 Book of Common Prayer and Hymns that was published especially for the funeral of Queen Victoria. It is the loveliest thing to hold as the Moroccan leather cover is so soft and the royal cipher on the front is surrounded by a silver laurel wreath. The pages inside the cover are the most beautiful vibrant purple edged with gold. The pages are edged with gold when viewed straight on or to the right but when turned to the left they become purple. The inscription inside reads In Memoriam Victoria Queen & Empress 1837 - 1901 followed by a photograph of her and the full funeral service.
I have found one such item on an antique site which is identical in all aspects apart from the condition, this was a limited edition in pristine condition with it's original cases, but I can find no reference whatsoever to this item anywhere else - does anyone else have one and if so what is it's history?
My great grandfather, Edward Stephen Tomney, was Yeoman of the Guard to three monarchs, Victoria, Edward V11 and George V from 1899 to his death in 1933 so I am wondering if this particular edition was supplied to the royal household at the time of Victoria's funeral as a kind of keepsake.
I would love to know if anyone else has one.
Jean

[stanmapstone]

Apparently only 500 were made. http://www.sellingantiques.co.uk/antiquedetail.asp?autonumber=61195


Stan

[Guidingspirit]

Hello Stan,

                  Thank you for that but my copy is definitely not one of the 500 limited edition as it does not have the Page De Luxe with the number of the edition on it nor the two ribbons but in all other respects it is identical. It is evident though that there are no pages missing from mine but on the page where the "Page De Luxe" would be there is a handwritten signature and 1901.
I am still convinced that my copy was one that was given to the royal household at the time of Queen Victoria's funeral but I have yet to get this confirmed. A friend of mine who is a present day Yeoman of the Queens Bodyguard and has access to the palace archives says that he has not come across anything like it as yet but that maybe he is looking in the wrong places.
Thank you anyway,
                               Jean.

[amarchie]

Hi
I am wondering if you every found out about the prayer book. I have the exact same book and have been trying to find out about its origins!

Regards
Amanda

[Guidingspirit]

Hi Amanda, No I didn't get any further with finding out the origins of the prayer book but my great grandfather was Yeoman of the Queens Body Guard at the time of Queen Victoria's funeral (for which this prayer book was commissioned) so I am still of the opinion that this particular prayer book was given to the Royal Household. Have you researched your family tree and if so are there any connections to the Royal Household at the time of Queen Victoria? Also I am wondering wether there is any inscription in yours as there is in mine. Curiously though the inscription in mine is not my great grandfathers but a name I do not recognize so am thinking that maybe friends exchanged prayer books. Good luck with your search but in any case it is a beautiful book to have in your possession. Kindest regards, Jean.

[amarchie]

Many thanks for your response Jean. I don't think there is a connection with the Royal household in my family, but you never know. My book does not have an inscription.

I think that it is strange that there is no real information on the book - apart from the one that was a delux edition. Ours is obviously the same book minus the delux page and the box.

I did ask a specialist book dealer and he didn't know much, only that to his knowledge they were given out in large quantities to schools for the funeral. If that was the case, I would have thought a few more would have survived and more information would be out there.

If you do come across anything in future, do let me know!

Thanks again.
Regards
Amanda