Booke of Common Prayer (1549)

Master printer and bookseller Edward Whitchurch (d.1562), an ardent adherent of Reformation doctrines, had already associated himself with Richard Grafton to circulate Matthew's [English] Bible printed at Antwerp. In 1538 he and Grafton gave financial assistance to Miles Coverdale in printing his English New Testament at Paris and in 1539 they published the Great Bible in London. Together they were Godparents to the first Book of Common Prayer.

The first Maser display copy, opened to show the exquisitely decorated title page, is one of the exceedingly rare first editions / first issues printed in London in March 7, 1549, though marred by a few missing pages. The title-page is printed in black and red. An elaborate engraved architectural border of angels and saints and scrolls and leaves is crowned with the royal arms. Whitchurch’s initials are clearly visible in the plaques at the lower left and right. The text itself is printed in black letter type on folio-size laid paper, with red appearing only on the title page and in the liturgical calendar. Wood-engraved typographic initials and decorated letters of varying sizes and intricacy are scattered about throughout the book. The Maser copy is bound in full vellum with all edges gilt.