1882 Rare French Book with Clasp - Guiding Angel, Belgian Devotional Manual

Author: [Anonymous – Traditional Catholic compilation].
Title: Ange Conducteur ou Recueil de Pieux Exercices. Nouvelle Édition augmentée du Chemin de la Croix et de l’Office de l’Immaculée Conception.
Publisher: Anvers, D. Spitaels, Imprimeur-Libraire, Chaussée de Borgerhout, 66. [Circa 1882].
Language: Text in French.
Size: 4.5 x 3.5 inches.
Pages: 319 pages.
Binding: Attractive and very good original full burgundy leather binding with richly blind-stamped ecclesiastical motifs and ornate gilt borders. Embellished with all four heavy brass corner-pieces and a working central clasp, complete and functional. Gilt title "Ange Conducteur" on the spine. All edges richly gilt and beautifully engraved with a fleur-de-lys motif, creating a radiant decorative effect when the book is closed. (hinges fine, overall slightly scuffed - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover. A beautiful and devotional object in itself!
Content: Very good content (bright, tight and clean, rare light foxing or staining - as shown).
Illustrations: Illustrated with one finely printed devotional frontispiece (Jesus calming the storm), as well as elegant ornamental borders on the title page.

Estimate: (USD 300–350).

The book: A superb example of a 19th-century Belgian devotional manual, this Ange Conducteur is both a spiritual companion and a work of craftsmanship. Intended for daily use, these pocket-sized prayer books were often gifted to young Catholics or used for First Communion. This edition stands out not only for its completeness and spiritual content but especially for its extraordinary presentation: a working clasp, striking corner hardware, and decorative gilt edges with a rare fleur-de-lys engraving—symbolic of Marian devotion and French Catholic heritage.