Psalms. London, 1643.

A very quaint design embroidered on white satin covers a copy of the Psalms, printed in London in 1643, and measuring 4-1/4 by 3-1/4 inches.  On the upper side is a representation of Jacob wrestling with the angel, flanked by two trees with large leaves; the angel has wings and long petticoats.  The lower board has a representation of Jacob’s dream.  The patriarch is asleep on the grass, his head upon a white stone, his staff and gourd by his side.  He has pale hair and beard.  Behind him is a large tree, and in front a conventional flower with leaves and bud, and from the clouds reaches a ladder on which are three small winged angels, two coming down, and one between them going up.  Through a break in the clouds is seen a bright space, with rays of golden light proceeding from it.

The back is divided into five panels, in each of which is a flower.  These resemble, to some extent, a red tulip, a lily, a red dahlia, a yellow tulip, and a red rose.  The work here is not protected by any strong or metal threads, and it is consequently much worn.  There are no signs of any tie ribbon, and the edges are plainly gilt.

Psalms. London, 1643.

[Illustration:  50—­Psalms.  London, 1643.]

Another copy of the Psalms, printed in London in 1643, bound in satin, and measuring 3-1/4 by 2-1/4 inches, bears on each side, within a circle, a miniature portrait of Charles I. worked in feather-stitch.  The king wears long hair, moustache, and small pointed beard.  He is crowned, and has a red cloak with miniver tippet, from under which appears the blue ribbon of the Garter worn round the neck, as it originally was, and having a small gold medallion attached to it.  The initials C. R. in gold guimp are at each side.  The circle is enclosed in a strong framework of silver cord and guimp in the form of four thin long pointed ovals of leaf form arranged as a diamond.  The four triangular spaces between the diamond and the oval are filled with small flowers or small pieces of guimp and spangles.  Towards each corner grows a flower, two pansies, and two others with regular petals.  The remaining spaces are filled variously with green leaves, small patches of purl and gold spangles, and a strong gold cord encloses the whole.  The back is divided into three panels, in each of which is an ornamental conventional flower, the upper and lower ones alike, and worked in shades of red with guimp leaves in relief, and the centre one with six petals worked in yellow and edged with a fine gold cord.  There are no signs of ties ever having existed, and the edges of the leaves are gilt and slightly gauffred.  It has been suggested that this little book may have belonged to King Charles I.; but the fact of his portrait being upon it is no proof of this, as portraits of this king are more numerous upon the bindings of English books than those of any other person.

Psalms. London, 1646.