Jones, Owen
The Psalms of David [The Victoria Psalter]. 1861-2. Folio, full Relievo binding, sometime rebacked retaining elements of original spine; 104 chromolithograph pages (with signs of later restoration with later facsimile print of work and other restoration).
idem Book of Common Prayer. John Murray, 1845. 8vo, full vellum, boards with broad ecclesiastical borders enclosing central gilt cross, spine lettered and decorated in gilt, inner gilt dentelles, blue endpapers, a.e.g.; with illuminated chromolithograph section titles, borders, vignettes, initials and ornaments by Jones, other illustrations, printed in various colours. First Owen Jones edition for Murray.
Jones was a hugely influential designer, architect, artist and book publisher, who was a guiding influence on the later Arts and Crafts movement. He was one of the earliest producers of chromolithographs in Britain and a leading light in the development of colour theory. He is also intrinsically linked with the brief history of the relievo binding process through his ecclesiastical works. This style of binding was intended to evoke the heavy carved wood tracery and decoration of English churches and his Psalms, immensely popular in its day, was one of the last of this style produced.

The BCP was a sumptuous expression of John Murray's experiments with colour and a critical success for its striking design. Alas, in common with so many critical successes it was a commercial failure, but today is considered amongst the most important of Jones' commercial works.