SOLD Joan of Arc Prayer Book With Copper Engraving, Maison Alfred Mame et Fils, Tours, France, Commissioned by Rene Francois, Archbishop of Tours

Joan of Arc Prayer Book With Copper Engraving, Maison Alfred Mame et Fils, Tours, France, Commissioned by Rene Francois, Archbishop of Tours

This beautiful leather bound prayer book dedicated to The Blessed Joan of Arc was printed in 1911 at the bequest of Rene Francois Renou, who was archbishop of Tours in France from 1896 - 1913. This was 9 years before Joan of Arc was officially made a saint.

It was printed by the famous Maison Alfred Mame and Sons whose work is highly sought after by collectors. It is also beautifully illustrated by R. Lespagne.

The prayer book was presented to Odette Chassignet at her first communion in 1916 and the card for the service is still in the book. Odette was born in 1905 and died in 1975 at Albi near Tours.

Saint Joan had a close connection with Tours as it was from there, equipped with her armour, her sword and her standard (painted by the Touraine artist Hennes Poulvoir), Joan of Arc left Tours on about 25 April 1429, to join the convoy going from Blois to Orléans.