This prayer book, elaborately tooled with the crowned monogram of Queen Anne in an unusual 'chequered' pattern, was probably used in the Royal Chapel. It was bought for the Royal Library in 1930 by Queen Mary. In correspondance between Queen Mary and Owen Moorshead, the Royal Librarian at the time, the Queen notes: “I bought this book the other day. Of course pretending it was Queen Anne’s own prayer book is nonsense as all the prayer books in the Royal Chapels bear the Sovereign’s cypher. You may like to place it in the Library with the other nice bindings.”

Binding information

Contemporary black goatskin binding, with gold-tooling on both sides and spine.

Identical design on both sides: outer border formed of double fillet surmounted on either side by two flower-head and vine rolls, the outer with small flowers encased in semi-circles, the inner with larger flower-heads; filling the entirety of the inner board, an elaborate ‘chequer’ design of compartments divided by single fillet lines (8x13); in the centre of each compartment, the crowned monogram of Queen Anne (RAAR), flanked by palm fronds and in the corners a triple-lobed ‘sunburst’ tool; in the centre of the chequered design, the title: ‘WINDSOR / ROYAL-CHAPEL’, surrounded by a border of swirling vine and drawer-handle tools.

Sides and insides of both boards tooled with flower-head and vine roll (small flowers encased in semi-circles).

Spine divided into seven compartments by raised bands. Each compartment tooled with an double fillet border, with the crowned monogram of Queen Anne (RAAR), flanked by palm fronds, in the centre, a tulip flower tool in each of the corners, and a small vine tool above and below the monogram; triple row of flower-head and vine roll on head and tail of spine.

Contemporary marble endpapers.

All edges gilt.