John Bunyan's Holy War, C.1860s Leather Bound Deluxe Edition, W/ Inscriptions

Item Description

An exceptionally attractive mid-Victorian edition of John Bunyan’s The Holy War, published by the Religious Tract Society, London, circa 1865, and preserved in a deluxe original green leather binding with elaborate gilt tooling and a raised-band spine.

This is a presentation copy, with dated Victorian inscriptions, and includes the original engraved illustrations. A fine example of a higher-grade Religious Tract Society binding, far superior to the more common cloth issues.

Bibliographic Details

• Author: John Bunyan (1628–1688)

• Title: The Holy War, Made by Shaddai upon Diabolus

• Publisher: The Religious Tract Society

• Place: London

• Date: c.1865

• Imprint: Depositories, 56 Paternoster Row; 65 St. Paul’s Churchyard; and 164 Piccadilly

• Format: Octavo

• Binding: Original full green leather, elaborately gilt-tooled boards, raised bands with gilt compartments to spine

• Illustrations: Engraved frontispiece and additional full-page plates

• See Condition section and photos above

Transcription of Inscriptions

Upper inscription (dated presentation):

Mrs. Crawford
with the best wishes
of Bernard Chawner.
March 22nd, 1865.

Lower inscription (later memorial inscription):

Mrs. Finch
in memory of Mr. Crawford
October 10th, 1878
Hatfield.

These inscriptions provide a clear and touching provenance, tracing the book’s ownership from its original presentation in 1865 through later family remembrance.

History of This Edition

The Religious Tract Society (founded 1799) was one of the most important evangelical publishers of the 19th century, responsible for bringing classic Christian works to a wide Victorian readership.

While most RTS books were issued in cloth, the Society also produced deluxe leather bindings for presentation, prize, or gift purposes. These bindings were made to a higher standard, with rich gilt decoration and raised-band spines, and were significantly more expensive at the time of issue.

The imprint listing three London depositories (Paternoster Row, St. Paul’s Churchyard, and Piccadilly) firmly dates this edition to the late 1850s–mid 1860s, making the March 1865 presentation inscription entirely consistent with the book’s publication period.

About John Bunyan

John Bunyan (1628–1688) was one of the most influential writers in English literature and a central figure in Puritan spirituality. Best known for The Pilgrim’s Progress, he wrote The Holy War in 1682 as a powerful allegory of the human soul, represented by the town of Mansoul, contested by the forces of evil and redeemed by Emmanuel (Christ).

The Holy War is considered Bunyan’s most complex and theologically rich allegory, reflecting his deep understanding of Scripture, human psychology, and spiritual struggle. Bunyan’s works have remained continuously in print for over three centuries.

Condition Report

• Binding: Original leather, firm and intact; gilt remains bright with light edge wear

• Spine: Raised bands, gilt lettering and tooling clear

• Pages: Complete; foxing can be found throughout, typical of the period

• Illustrations: All present and clean

• Structural integrity: Sound; no loose pages or major faults

Overall, a very attractive and well-preserved example of a deluxe mid-Victorian Bunyan.

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