Accession Number

985.013.001.003

Description

One dark green Moroccan leather book jacket. There is a narrow strap riveted on each of the short ends. The strap is bound together with two narrow straps of leather near the crossed-over ends. Two books slide into the case. There is no clasp or flap to hold the books in but they fit snugly. There are three rows across and five rows down of incised gilded fleur de lys on the front and back sides of the jacket. The inside is lined in a dark green paper made to look like fabric.

Narrative

This Moroccan leather book jacket is part of a set consisting of this case, a book of Common Prayer, and a hymnbook. Its physical qualities and history of use make the set an important part of Craigdarroch's collection.  

History of Use

This set of books was presented to Sarah Byrd Dunsmuir by the Lord Bishop of Columbia (British Columbia) on the occasion of her marriage to Guy Mortimer Audain in Victoria's St. Saviour's Church on October 29, 1901. She used the set first in India while her husband served in the Indian Army, and starting in 1906, at the Victoria houses Burleith and Ellora.  The set was donated by a person unrelated to the Dunsmuir family in 1985.

The Royal BC Museum, BC Archives holds a wedding day photograph of Sarah Byrd Dunsmuir and her family taken at the family home, Burleith, See: https://search-bcarchives.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/guy-mortimer-audain-byrdie-dunsmuir-wedding-party-at-burleith-mr-and-mrs-james-dunsmuir-parents-of-bride-seated-at-centre-with-boy-in-between-them-robin-dunsmuir-at-far 

Date

1901

Dimensions

6 x 10 x 3.1 cm

Material

Leather; Metal, gold

Technique

Gilt; Tanned

Country of Origin

England