Catholic Prayer Book Appraisal

Üdvözlégy, Mária! Hungarian Prayer and Hymn Book (1943)

This item is a 1943 edition of the Hungarian Catholic prayer and hymn book titled 'Üdvözlégy, Mária!' (Hail Mary). It is a pocket-sized religious volume featuring a flexible dark cover, possibly leather or high-quality faux leather. The title page indicates it was published by Magyar Kórus in Budapest and includes works by Harmat Artúr and Sík Sándor, specifically mentioning hymns from the 'Szent Vagy, Uram' collection. The left-facing page features a detailed black-and-white woodcut-style illustration of the Madonna and Child, framed by ornate celestial and architectural motifs. The paper shows significant age-related tanning and foxing, with visible wear along the edges of the pages. The binding appears to be intact but shows signs of shelf wear and frequent use. This specific 'Gyöngybetűs' (pearl-lettered) edition is characteristic of mid-20th-century European devotional literature, produced during a tumultuous wartime period. The craftsmanship is utilitarian yet elegant, designed for portability and personal daily devotion. Notable condition issues include yellowing paper, slight corner curling, and some minor stains on the title page consistent with its age.