Prieres et Offices Choisis. 1774.

A LADY'S MANUSCRIPT PRAYERS

Manuscript in black ink, the text ruled in red.

8vo. [193 x 131 x 32 mm]. [12]ff, 312pp. Contemporary French binding of green goatskin, the covers tooled in gilt with a triple fillet border and floral tool in the corners. Smooth spine divided into six gilt panels by triple fillets, lettered in the second on a red goatskin label, the others with sprigs and small stars, the edges of the boards tooled with a gilt fillet and the turn-ins with a gilt roll, gilt star and roundel endleaves, gilt edges. (Spine slightly faded).

A neatly and attractively written prayer book in fine condition. The title is followed by a leaf with an ownership inscription, seven blank leaves, 142 leaves of text, 13 further blank leaves and a final three leaves of index. Frustratingly the original female owner's name and address have been scribbled out and a Madame Chappelierre has claimed ownership. It later came into the possession of Admiral Duff, and has his armorial bookplate dated 1858.

Rear-Admiral Archibald Duff (1777-1858) joined the Royal Navy in 1788 and served throughout the Napoleonic Wars. As a Lieutenant on HMS Foudroyant he saw action with Nelson, including his liaison with Emma Hamilton, and featured in the Eygptian campaign. His brother John Duff (1772-1836) had meanwhile settled in France and purchased the Chateau of Richebourg and a collection of gold boxes. He very occasionally visited his Drummuir Estate, in Keith, Banffshire, but a violent snowfall in 1818 deterred him from ever returning. On his death the estate was transferred to Archibald, who decided to build Drummuir Castle in 1846 at a cost of £10,000.

Stock no. ebc7779