{"product_id":"antique-french-missel-des-catacombes-leather-bound-catholic-missal-with-gilt-page-edges","title":"Antique French “Missel des Catacombes” — Leather-Bound Catholic Missal with Gilt Page Edges","description":"\u003cp\u003eA beautifully detailed French devotional volume, this Missel des Catacombes pairs a dark leather binding with gilt spine lettering, raised bands, and luminous gilt page edges. Inside, delicate ornamental borders surround the printed pages, while intricate gilt tooling along the inner covers adds a quiet richness to its presentation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts title translates to “Missal of the Catacombs,” referencing the early Christian artistic traditions that inspired the decoration of this series. Intended to accompany Catholic worship, a missal brings together the prayers and texts used during Mass, combining practical devotional purpose with the beauty of the printed book.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe photographed approval page bears the name of Cardinal Guillaume-René Meignan, Archbishop of Tours, and the date January 5, 1896. Printed in red and black within an elaborate border of foliage, garlands, and small figures, this page is a lovely example of the attention given to decorative religious publishing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith its richly toned leather, softly aged paper, and gleaming gilt edges, this volume brings depth and character to a collection of antique books. Displayed on a writing desk, tucked into a library shelf, or opened to reveal its decorative pages, it offers a beautiful connection to French devotional history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDetails\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e* \u003cstrong\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Missel des Catacombes\u003cbr\u003e* \u003cstrong\u003eOrigin: \u003c\/strong\u003eFrance\u003cbr\u003e* \u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Circa late 1890s–early 1900s; exact publication date unconfirmed\u003cbr\u003e* \u003cstrong\u003eApproval date:\u003c\/strong\u003e January 5, 1896\u003cbr\u003e* \u003cstrong\u003eBinding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dark leather with raised spine bands and gilt lettering\u003cbr\u003e* \u003cstrong\u003eFeatures: \u003c\/strong\u003eGilt page edges, ornamental printed borders, and gilt decoration inside the covers\u003cbr\u003e* \u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Overall good antique condition\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMeasurements: \u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003e4.5\" W x 6\" H x 1.25\" D \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"soul fed home","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67883453448513,"sku":null,"price":195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0773\/9549\/3185\/files\/8537261D-F397-4C2C-8141-F064A5929072.png?v=1792029490","url":"https:\/\/soulfedhome.com\/products\/antique-french-missel-des-catacombes-leather-bound-catholic-missal-with-gilt-page-edges","provider":"Soul Fed Home","version":"1.0","type":"link"}