Handbag Bible: Rare Book of the Week

A Christmassy selection for this week's Rare Book of the Week, a Bible (both Old and New Testaments) from the Oxford University Press, published around 1880, with the extra feature that it is also a handbag with folding brass handles.

"This unusual binding continues the tradition of the medieval girdle-book and the early-modern embroidered dos-à-dos in creating an easily portable book-cum-accessory, allowing it to be flaunted in public - namely when attending church - and demonstrating both the owner's piety and their style," say Bernard Quaritch who are offering it for £2,500. 

There are also grooves in the front and back covers so that the user can fold the handles away conveniently while the Bible is in use.

The book, which also features 12 colour maps, was give to Isabel Wells in August 1888 when she left Anstead Brook School in Surrey, England, and it is inscribed "A parting present from the children & parents".