Antique French Miniature Prayer Book, "Paroissien Romain," Burgundy Grained Leather with Brass Clasps, Chromolithographs and First Communion Souvenir for Gaston Joubert (Vienne, 1901), Dijon, 1879
Antique French Miniature Prayer Book, "Paroissien Romain," Burgundy Grained Leather with Brass Clasps, Chromolithographs and First Communion Souvenir for Gaston Joubert (Vienne, 1901), Dijon, 1879
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**Additional Description:** A small Roman Catholic missal in French, bound in burgundy grained leather over boards with a gilt-stamped central emblem of crossed palm branches, a ribbon bow and a small cross. The spine has raised bands and gilt lettering reading "PAROISSIEN" (worn). The page edges are gilt. It closes with two ornate pierced brass clasps with floral rosette details. The title page reads "Paroissien Romain contenant les Offices des Dimanches et des Fêtes de l'Année, le Propre et le Commun des Saints, suivis du Chemin de la Croix. Traduction nouvelle," with the imprint "Dijon, Antoine Maitre, Éditeur, MDCCCLXXIX" (1879). The book contains several colored chromolithograph plates with gilt borders, including a shepherdess spinning with her sheep (signed "Carne"), a robed prophet or evangelist in a landscape, and a plate of "Bienheureuse Jeanne d'Arc" (Maison Bouasse-Lebel, Paris, no. 1462). A gilt-embossed, lace-edged holy card of the "Présentation de Jésus au Temple" is tucked inside. A printed First Communion souvenir page near the back reads "Souvenir de ma Première Communion, faite en la Chapelle des Frères des Écoles Chrétiennes, Vienne, le 23 Mai 1901, Gaston Joubert" (Imp.-Pap. Perret).
**Era:** Late 19th century. Printed 1879 per the title page. The Joan of Arc plate and holy cards are likely later insertions, and the First Communion souvenir dates the book's use to 1901 (Third Republic France).
**History:** The "Paroissien" (parishioner's missal) was a popular format of French Catholic devotional book, giving the Sunday and feast-day offices in a portable size for lay worshippers. Books like this were commonly given for First Communion, confirmation, or weddings, and families often tucked in holy cards, souvenir leaves and images. Antoine Maitre was a Dijon publisher of religious books. The Joan of Arc plate is labeled "Bienheureuse" (Blessed), meaning it was printed before her canonization in 1920, and its design appears to follow Ingres's well-known painting of Joan at the coronation of Charles VII. Maison Bouasse-Lebel was a Paris publisher of devotional images. The communion souvenir names the chapel of the Frères des Écoles Chrétiennes (Christian Brothers) in Vienne, in the Isère region of France.
**Provenance:** French use is documented by the inscription: Gaston Joubert, First Communion, Vienne, 23 May 1901. The book was later acquired from the Austin, Texas auction house (please add auction name, sale date and lot number). Further ownership history is unknown. Joubert's descendants or local Vienne records might be a research lead.
**Materials:** Grained leather (or leather-grain paper or cloth, to be confirmed by hand) over boards with gilt stamping, brass clasps and hinges, gilt page edges, and printed paper pages. Includes chromolithograph plates with gilt borders and a gilt-embossed, die-cut holy card.
**Dimensions:** Not provided. It appears to be roughly 4 x 2.75 x 1.25 in (10 x 7 x 3 cm), judging by the hand in the photos. Please measure to confirm before listing.
**Disclaimers / Condition:** Fair to good antique condition with age-appropriate wear. The covers are rubbed with scuffed corners and edges. The spine is worn and the gilt title is faint. The head and tail of the spine have small losses. The brass clasps are original but one or both appear worn or partly detached, and the fore-edge shows tearing and loss near the clasp area, with the leather and a few leaves chipped or torn there. A few pages show dampstaining, foxing, and soiling, and one leaf near the front has a tear with loss. The chromolithographs are bright overall, with light edge wear to the Joan of Arc plate. The tucked-in holy card has some lifting and loss to its gilt lace edge. The binding appears sound but has not been collated, and completeness has not been verified. The piece has not been professionally authenticated, and the description reflects visual assessment only. Please review all photos.
**Value:** Estimated retail value of $40-$110 USD. The documented 1901 First Communion inscription, the clasps, the multiple chromolithographs and the inserted holy card support the upper end. The fore-edge damage, torn leaves, staining and worn spine hold it back. Check recent sold listings (eBay sold, Etsy) for comparable French "Paroissien" missals with clasps and chromolithographs before pricing. Collectors of miniature books, devotional ephemera and holy cards may pay more, and the Joan of Arc plate and signed illustrations may add interest.
Item Title:
**Additional Description:** A small Roman Catholic missal in French, bound in burgundy grained leather over boards with a gilt-stamped central emblem of crossed palm branches, a ribbon bow and a small cross. The spine has raised bands and gilt lettering reading "PAROISSIEN" (worn). The page edges are gilt. It closes with two ornate pierced brass clasps with floral rosette details. The title page reads "Paroissien Romain contenant les Offices des Dimanches et des Fêtes de l'Année, le Propre et le Commun des Saints, suivis du Chemin de la Croix. Traduction nouvelle," with the imprint "Dijon, Antoine Maitre, Éditeur, MDCCCLXXIX" (1879). The book contains several colored chromolithograph plates with gilt borders, including a shepherdess spinning with her sheep (signed "Carne"), a robed prophet or evangelist in a landscape, and a plate of "Bienheureuse Jeanne d'Arc" (Maison Bouasse-Lebel, Paris, no. 1462). A gilt-embossed, lace-edged holy card of the "Présentation de Jésus au Temple" is tucked inside. A printed First Communion souvenir page near the back reads "Souvenir de ma Première Communion, faite en la Chapelle des Frères des Écoles Chrétiennes, Vienne, le 23 Mai 1901, Gaston Joubert" (Imp.-Pap. Perret).
**Era:** Late 19th century. Printed 1879 per the title page. The Joan of Arc plate and holy cards are likely later insertions, and the First Communion souvenir dates the book's use to 1901 (Third Republic France).
**History:** The "Paroissien" (parishioner's missal) was a popular format of French Catholic devotional book, giving the Sunday and feast-day offices in a portable size for lay worshippers. Books like this were commonly given for First Communion, confirmation, or weddings, and families often tucked in holy cards, souvenir leaves and images. Antoine Maitre was a Dijon publisher of religious books. The Joan of Arc plate is labeled "Bienheureuse" (Blessed), meaning it was printed before her canonization in 1920, and its design appears to follow Ingres's well-known painting of Joan at the coronation of Charles VII. Maison Bouasse-Lebel was a Paris publisher of devotional images. The communion souvenir names the chapel of the Frères des Écoles Chrétiennes (Christian Brothers) in Vienne, in the Isère region of France.
**Provenance:** French use is documented by the inscription: Gaston Joubert, First Communion, Vienne, 23 May 1901. The book was later acquired from the Austin, Texas auction house (please add auction name, sale date and lot number). Further ownership history is unknown. Joubert's descendants or local Vienne records might be a research lead.
**Materials:** Grained leather (or leather-grain paper or cloth, to be confirmed by hand) over boards with gilt stamping, brass clasps and hinges, gilt page edges, and printed paper pages. Includes chromolithograph plates with gilt borders and a gilt-embossed, die-cut holy card.
**Dimensions:** Not provided. It appears to be roughly 4 x 2.75 x 1.25 in (10 x 7 x 3 cm), judging by the hand in the photos. Please measure to confirm before listing.
**Disclaimers / Condition:** Fair to good antique condition with age-appropriate wear. The covers are rubbed with scuffed corners and edges. The spine is worn and the gilt title is faint. The head and tail of the spine have small losses. The brass clasps are original but one or both appear worn or partly detached, and the fore-edge shows tearing and loss near the clasp area, with the leather and a few leaves chipped or torn there. A few pages show dampstaining, foxing, and soiling, and one leaf near the front has a tear with loss. The chromolithographs are bright overall, with light edge wear to the Joan of Arc plate. The tucked-in holy card has some lifting and loss to its gilt lace edge. The binding appears sound but has not been collated, and completeness has not been verified. The piece has not been professionally authenticated, and the description reflects visual assessment only. Please review all photos.
**Value:** Estimated retail value of $40-$110 USD. The documented 1901 First Communion inscription, the clasps, the multiple chromolithographs and the inserted holy card support the upper end. The fore-edge damage, torn leaves, staining and worn spine hold it back. Check recent sold listings (eBay sold, Etsy) for comparable French "Paroissien" missals with clasps and chromolithographs before pricing. Collectors of miniature books, devotional ephemera and holy cards may pay more, and the Joan of Arc plate and signed illustrations may add interest.