The Christmas Processional
The Christmas Processional is a rare late-19th century illustrated poem, written by the author known by the pseudonym ''Tertius'' and illustrated by American watercolourist and etcher Louis Kinney Harlow.
Published in 1888 by L. Prang & Co of Boston, Massachusetts, this book comes from a firm renowned for its work in commercial chromolithography and the popularisation of the modern Christmas card in America.
Originally produced as an ephemeral Victorian Christmas souvenir, surviving copies are now exceedingly rare. This makes the book particularly appealing to collectors of Victorian holiday ephemera and late 19th-century illustrated printing.
This is the deluxe edition of the volume. It features an imitation snakeskin covering over the front and rear boards, with the book bound in a textured cloth substrate. The title is presented in an embossed, hand-painted design.
The illustrations and text are printed on heavyweight, coated art paper, while all edges are gilt, giving the volume an elegant decorative finish. The book contains 6 full-page colour illustrations and 6 monochrome plates, each accompanied by text. At the front of the book, there is a neat inscription indicating that it was given as a Christmas gift in 1889.
Inside the book is some minor foxing and age-related discolouration. A number of pages also display light shadowing, where some of the ink from an illustration has transferred onto the facing page overtime.
Despite these age-related imperfections, all illustrations and text remain clear, legible and in good condition. The exterior binding remains in excellent condition.
This book is scarce, decorative and deluxe, serving as an attractive piece of Victorian Christmas ephemera. A rare antique volume that would make a wonderful addition to the shelf of a collector of Victorian books, Christmas memorabilia or late 19th-century illustrated painting.
This is being sold at £50.
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