The Imitation of Christ, 3rd Edition, Printed by T. and A. Constable

This is a fine late 19th or early 20th-century edition of Thomas à Kempis's 'The Imitation of Christ,' printed in Edinburgh by T. and A. Constable, Printers to His Majesty. The book features an exquisite fine leather binding, likely crushed morocco in a deep chocolate brown or black hue. The front cover is elaborately decorated with gilt-tooled borders in a neo-Gothic or Arts and Crafts style, consisting of repeating geometric patterns, stylized hearts, and stars. The spine is constructed with five raised bands, indicating a high-quality sewn binding. A frayed silk ribbon marker remains attached at the top of the spine. The craftsmanship is indicative of the high standards maintained by the Constable firm during their tenure as royal printers. Condition-wise, the leather shows signs of age-related wear, with visible scuffing and rubbing along the edges, corners, and joints. The spine shows some deterioration, specifically the fraying of the headcap and the attached ribbon. There is a gentle patina on the gilt, which remains largely bright. Despite the external wear, the structure appears intact, representing a classic example of Edwardian-era fine bookbinding and devotional literature.