Lot #2136: Antique German Catholic Miniature Prayer Book “Christus ist mein Leben” – Steinbrener, Imprimatur Budweis 1902 – With Slipcase, Holy Cards

Beautiful antique German Catholic pocket prayer book, “Christus ist mein Leben” (“Christ Is My Life”), in its original slipcase. It comes with a collection of vintage holy cards and keepsakes, including mementos from a 1950 Holy Year pilgrimage to Rome. This prayer book comes from the same estate as the vintage radio collection featured in this auction. Like so many pieces from this estate, it was carefully kept, along with the personal keepsakes tucked inside. The book was published by the Katholische Verlagsanstalt J. Steinbrener. It carries the official church imprimatur from the Bishop’s Ordinariate in Budweis (Bohemia), dated 26 April 1902 and signed by Bishop Martin Josef, with the printed episcopal seal. The front matter also notes that on 25 February 1911, Pope Pius X granted Johannes and Rupert Steinbrener the title “Publisher of the Holy Apostolic See.” The pocket-sized book is printed in traditional German Fraktur script with red page edges. It’s bound in black textured covers with a gilt cross on the front and gilt lettering on the spine, and it fits in its original slipcase. Tucked inside are several meaningful keepsakes: A handwritten card from a pilgrimage to Rome, inscribed in German “from my pilgrimage to Rome, from your friend,” dated 16.12.50 A photo card of Pope Pius XII (S.S. Pio XII) at the Vatican, with St. Peter’s dome in the background An Easter Communion card from the Holy Year 1950, Herz-Jesu-Pfarre, Heeren-Werve A colour Confirmation holy card A “Mater Divinae Gratiae” holy card (B. Kühlen, M. Gladbach) It’s a wonderful piece for collectors of antique religious books, German Catholic devotional items, holy cards, or Holy Year 1950 memorabilia. Details & Specifications Title: Christus ist mein Leben (Catholic prayer book) Publisher: Katholische Verlagsanstalt J. Steinbrener Imprimatur: Bishop’s Ordinariate, Budweis, 26 April 1902 (No. 2843), Bishop Martin Josef Language: German, Fraktur script Black textured binding with gilt cross, gilt spine lettering and red page edges Original slipcase Includes 5 holy cards and keepsakes (listed above) Condition: Good antique condition. The slipcase shows wear and fraying at the edges and opening. Pickup category timeslot {A}