Saint Patrick's Breastplate.

CUALA PRESS: ALEXANDER, Cecil Frances (transl.).

Published by Churchtown, Dundrum: The Cuala Press, 1920

About this Item

Second Cuala Press edition, one of 300 copies, of the Old Irish prayer of protection attributed to Saint Patrick. This title is one of the few booklets published by the Cuala Press that Miller designates "occasional publications of the press" and not part of the standard series. The Cuala Press first printed an edition in 1912. This was followed eight years later by this more sumptuous production, including eight hand-coloured Celtic initials. The prayer was adapted into the hymn "I Bind Unto Myself Today" by C. F. Alexander, the composer of "Once in Royal David's City" and "All Things Bright and Beautiful". This copy is from the library of Louis Claude Purser (1854-1932), brother of the artist Sarah Purser. A fellow classics student with Oscar Wilde at school, Purser was appointed professor of Latin at Trinity College, Dublin, and later served as president of the Royal Irish Academy. Lolly Yeats was his closest female friend. Miller, p. 122. Octavo. Celtic cross on front cover, and eight hand-coloured initials by Elizabeth Corbet Yeats. Original wrappers, front cover lettered and with vignette in black. Extremities worn and creased, some minor tears and loss to spine: a very good copy. Seller Inventory # 174462

Bibliographic Details

Title: Saint Patrick's Breastplate.

Publisher: Churchtown, Dundrum: The Cuala Press, 1920

Edition: 1st Edition