6B Book of Common Prayer. London: George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode, ca. 1940. POW Copy. Pocket Size.

Notes

The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) is a foundational liturgical text for the Anglican tradition, first compiled in 1549 by Thomas Cranmer, the Archbishop of Canterbury. It provides a comprehensive guide for worship, including prayers, readings, and rites for various services such as the Eucharist, baptisms, weddings, and funerals. Renowned for its poetic language and theological depth, the BCP has undergone several revisions, reflecting changes in language and liturgical practice, yet it remains a vital resource for Anglican communities worldwide, shaping their spiritual life and communal worship.

This copy belonged to a prisoner of war of WWII. Prisoners of war (POWs) have often received special or improvised copies of the Bible as sources of comfort, hope, and spiritual resilience during captivity, especially in the 19th and 20th centuries. These Bibles were sometimes distributed by groups like the Red Cross or military chaplaincies and could be small, durable editions designed to survive harsh conditions, occasionally missing covers or printed on thin paper to save space. In some camps, POWs hand-copied passages when books were scarce, creating homemade “copies” shared among prisoners.

Description

Charming pocket black leather edition with brass clasp, four raised bands on spine, some rubbing on outside edges, intact, three edge red/gold  gild, good condition. ‘International Bureau of Education Geneva/Service of Intellectual Assistance to Prisoners of War’ stamp on second flyleaf.

Dimensions: 5 x 3 3/4 x 1 1/4 inches