๐ Vintage 1940s Common Prayer Hymns A&M Book Wartime 1944 Inscription Rare
๐ Product Details
Book Title: The Book of Common Prayer & Hymns A&M โ Common Prayer Hymns A&M
Publisher / Printer: William Clowes & Sons, Limited, London / Cambridge University Press printing
Tradition: Church of England
Date / Period: Vintage wartime-era book, approximately 1940s
Personal Inscription: Handwritten dedication dated 24 August 1944
Format: Compact Pocket Prayer & Hymn Book
Language: English
Size: Approx. 13cm ร 8.5cm ร 2cm
Weight: Approx. 133g
Pages: 245
Binding: Original black textured book binding
Features: Book of Common Prayer, Psalter, Calendar with Table of Lessons, Morning & Evening Prayer, Hymns and Church services
Bookmarks: Includes two vintage bookmarks, adding to the personal history of the book
Book Ref: Vintage Collector Item
Condition: Vintage โ very good overall condition for age, with age/storage marks
๐ Description
A fascinating vintage wartime-era Book of Common Prayer & Hymns A&M, produced in the traditional compact format associated with personal church use and portable prayer books.
This is far more than simply an old religious book. The copy contains a handwritten personal dedication dated 24 August 1944, making it an especially interesting piece of wartime social history.
The inscription reads:
โShirley, love from Auntie ... and Uncle Harry, Aug. 24. 44.โ
The book also contains a second personal bookmark with the handwritten words:
โWith love from Shelagh.โ
These personal inscriptions and original bookmarks give this particular copy a strong sense of individual ownership and family history, something that cannot be reproduced in a modern reprint.
The book contains the Book of Common Prayer, Psalter and church services together with the Hymns A&M section, including prayers, lessons, Psalms, seasonal readings and other traditional Church of England material.
The compact dimensions of approximately 13cm ร 8.5cm ร 2cm make it a particularly interesting example of a portable devotional book suitable for carrying in a pocket, bag or military kit.
๐ Historical & Personal Interest
The 24 August 1944 handwritten dedication places the personal history of this particular copy firmly within the final year of the Second World War.
According to the history supplied with this item, the book is believed to have belonged to a former British soldier. While we cannot independently authenticate its military ownership, the compact wartime format, personal inscription and period markings make it an intriguing item for collectors interested in:
โข WWII-era personal belongings
โข British military history
โข Church of England history
โข Vintage religious books
โข Family-history objects
โข Wartime memorabilia
โข Historical ephemera
๐ What the Book Contains
The photographs show a substantial collection of traditional Church of England material including:
โข The Book of Common Prayer
โข Morning Prayer
โข Evening Prayer
โข Psalter / Psalms of David
โข Calendar with Table of Lessons
โข Proper Lessons and Psalms
โข Holy Communion
โข Baptism services
โข Confirmation
โข Marriage service
โข Visitation of the Sick
โข Burial of the Dead
โข Prayers and Thanksgivings
โข Collects, Epistles and Gospels
โข The Catechism
โข Church services and rites
โข Hymns A&M / Hymns Ancient & Modern
โญ Key Features
โ Genuine vintage wartime-era religious book
โ Personal handwritten inscription dated 24 August 1944
โ Two vintage bookmarks included
โ Traditional Book of Common Prayer
โ Hymns A&M / Hymns Ancient & Modern
โ Psalter and Psalms of David
โ Calendar and Table of Lessons
โ Compact pocket-size format
โ Interesting piece of British social and religious history
โ Excellent collector's item
โ Particularly interesting for WWII and wartime memorabilia collectors
โ Original vintage binding
โ Much more character than a modern reproduction
๐ฏ Ideal For
โข Vintage book collectors
โข WWII memorabilia collectors
โข British military-history enthusiasts
โข Church of England collectors
โข Religious book collectors
โข Historical ephemera collectors
โข Family-history researchers
โข Genealogy enthusiasts
โข Vintage library collections
โข Antique and vintage book displays
โข Film and theatre period props
โข Collectors of wartime personal belongings
โข Unique historical gifts
โ Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a modern reproduction?
No. This is a genuine vintage book from the wartime-era period.
Is it dated 1944?
The book contains a handwritten personal dedication dated 24 August 1944. The inscription provides the strongest evidence of its wartime personal history.
Does the book belong to a British soldier?
According to the history supplied with the item, it is believed to have belonged to a former British soldier. However, there is no separate military service document included with the book, so this provenance should be regarded as historical information rather than independently certified military provenance.
What makes this copy special?
The combination of its wartime age, personal 1944 dedication, two bookmarks and original vintage condition gives this particular copy a unique character.
What is A&M?
A&M refers to Hymns Ancient & Modern, a long-established hymn collection associated with Anglican and Church of England worship.
Is this only a Bible?
No. It is a Book of Common Prayer and Hymns A&M containing prayers, Psalms, church services, lessons and hymns.
Are the handwritten notes original?
Yes. The handwritten inscriptions shown in the photographs are part of this individual copy.
Are the two bookmarks included?
Yes. The two bookmarks shown in the photographs are included with the book.
Is this suitable for daily use?
It can be read and used, but given its age and collector interest, we recommend treating it primarily as a vintage historical and collector's item.
๐ Why Buy From Us?
โข UK-based specialist seller
โข Authentic vintage item
โข Detailed photographs of the actual book
โข Personal inscriptions and markings fully disclosed
โข Carefully inspected before dispatch
โข Honest description of age and condition
โข Secure packaging for vintage books
โข Serving customers with specialist religious and cultural books for many years
๐ Packaging
The book will be carefully wrapped and protected before dispatch.
Because this is an approximately 80-year-old vintage book, suitable packaging will be used to help protect the original binding, pages, bookmarks and handwritten material during transportation.
๐ท Recommended RRP: ยฃ99.99
โ ๏ธ Important Vintage Book Disclaimer
This is a genuine vintage book and is not new.
Due to its age, the book shows characteristics of an older publication including yellowing/ageing of paper, minor staining, dust marks, edge wear, rubbing and other signs of age and storage.
The photographs show the actual condition of this copy and should be carefully reviewed before purchase.
The handwritten inscriptions, bookmarks and other historical markings are part of the individual history of this book and are not considered defects.
The binding remains presentable for its age, but buyers should remember that this is an approximately 1940s vintage book, not a newly manufactured item.
The statement that the book was previously owned by a British soldier is based on the history available to us and is not accompanied by independent military provenance or service documentation.
All dimensions and weight are approximate.