A French Roman Missal (*Missel Romain*) in parallel Latin and French text, published in Paris by G. Jeener circa 1903. Pocket-sized and bound in full dark morocco leather, the volume features elaborate gilt foliate and scrollwork corner tooling, a gilt-lettered spine, all edges gilt (a.e.g.), and pattern-printed endpapers framed by gilt turn-in dentelles. It is illustrated with a full-page chromolithographic frontispiece depicting the Last Supper alongside delicate engraved botanical and figural borders throughout.

Designed for Roman Catholic liturgical and private devotional use, the volume includes Sunday offices, principal feast days, the Common of the Saints, Palm Sunday and Holy Week services, and preparations for confession and holy communion. A printed table of movable feasts (*Table du Temps et des Fêtes Mobiles*) explicitly spanning the years 1903 to 1916 provides clear proof of publication date.

Historical & Style Details

• Title: Missel Romain en Latin et en Français
• Publisher / Printer: G. Jeener, Éditeur / Imp. G. Jeener, Paris
• Period: Edwardian (1901–1910)
• Origin: France
• Material / Technique: Parallel Latin-French typography, full morocco binding with gilt tooling, chromolithography
• Markings: Spine gilt-stamped "MISSEL"; preliminary leaf marked "Nº 53"; title page stamped "G. JEENER, ÉDITEUR / PARIS"
• Language: French and Latin
• Condition: Rubbing and wear to spine ends and cover corners; foxing and age-toning to internal leaves; text block and binding remain firm and intact

History

Devotional missals produced in France during the late 19th and early 20th centuries were crafted as both personal prayer books and cherished commemorative gifts, frequently presented for First Communions, confirmations, or weddings. The Parisian publisher G. Jeener specialized in high-quality liturgical editions that combined classical Latin-French parallel texts with decorative Belle Époque typography, wood-engraved borders, and fine leather bindings.