The Canterbury Psalter, with introduction by M. R. James (Friends of Canterbury Cathedral, 1935)

Published in 1935 for the Friends of Canterbury Cathedral, The Canterbury Psalter is a limited edition volume containing a full facsimile reproduction of Trinity MS R.17.1, also known as the Eadwine Psalter, with an extensive fifty-six page introduction and description by M. R. James. The Psalter itself is comprised predominantly of monochrome plates, with four presented in colour (including the famous full-page miniature of the scribe Eadwine, for whom the book is named, at work).

This particular copy is number 351 of the 425 numbered copies that were offered for sale by subscription. The full list of subscribers is presented at the front of the book. An additional twenty five un-numbered copies were produced which were not sold and presumably presentation copies given to noteworthy individuals associated with the cathedral and the publication itself. Featured on one of the blank fly-leaves of my copy is a handwritten presentation page from the dean and canons of Canterbury cathedral to John Victor Macmillan, D. D., a former Etonian, Canon of Canterbury, Archdeacon of Maidstone, Bishop of Dover, and from 1934, Bishop of Guildford.

  • The Canterbury Psalter, with introduction by M. R. James (Friends of Canterbury Cathedral, 1935)
    The Canterbury Psalter, with introduction by M. R. James (Friends of Canterbury Cathedral, 1935)
  • The Canterbury Psalter, with introduction by M. R. James - front cover
    Front cover
  • The Canterbury Psalter, with introduction by M. R. James - presentation page to John Victor Macmillan, D. D., Bishop of Dover and later of Guildford
    Presentation page to John Victor Macmillan, D. D., Bishop of Dover and later of Guildford
  • The Canterbury Psalter, with introduction by M. R. James - limited edition copy number
    Limited edition copy number
  • The Canterbury Psalter, with introduction by M. R. James - first colour plate
    First colour plate
  • The Canterbury Psalter, with introduction by M. R. James - title page
    Title page
  • The Canterbury Psalter, with introduction by M. R. James - James' name in the list of subscribers (page ix)
    James’ name in the list of subscribers (page ix)
  • The Canterbury Psalter, with introduction by M. R. James - List of Subscribers, page vii
    List of Subscribers, page vii
  • The Canterbury Psalter, with introduction by M. R. James - List of Subscribers, page ix
    List of Subscribers, page ix
  • The Canterbury Psalter, with introduction by M. R. James - preface
    Preface
  • The Canterbury Psalter, with introduction by M. R. James - first page of James' introduction
    First page of James’ introduction
  • The Canterbury Psalter, with introduction by M. R. James - second colour plate
    Second colour plate
  • The Canterbury Psalter, with introduction by M. R. James - third colour plate
    Third colour plate
  • The Canterbury Psalter, with introduction by M. R. James - fourth colour plate
    Fourth colour plate
  • The Canterbury Psalter, with introduction by M. R. James - Figs. 99b and 100
    Figs. 99b and 100
  • The Canterbury Psalter, with introduction by M. R. James - Figs. 164b and 165
    Figs. 164b and 165