An exceptional late 19th-century Judaica prayer book (Siddur), titled The Form of Daily Prayers, According to the Custom of the German and Polish Jews, translated into English by Henry A. Franklin. Printed in 1893 (Hebrew calendar year 5654) in Frankfort-on-the-Maine by the renowned Jewish publishing house J. Kauffmann.

This edition features a dual-language (Hebrew with facing English translation) layout. The exterior is lavishly bound with cream-colored ivorine/celloid (early celluloid/french ivory) front and back panels over dark burgundy velvet, trimmed with brass edging, star-shaped rivet accents, a carved fretwork centerpiece housing a brass relief of the Ten Commandments (Luchot HaBrit), and a decorative gilt floral motif on the lower corner. The volume retains its original hinged brass closing clasp, which is fully intact and functional.

Origin Frankfort-on-the-Maine, Germany. Published by J. Kauffmann.

Age Dated 1893 (5654). Fifth Edition.

Material & Cover Assessment

• Cover Material: Celluloid / Ivorine ("French Ivory") mounted on wooden board bases with velvet-wrapped borders/spine. It is not genuine elephant/walrus ivory, bone, or mother of pearl. Bone exhibits natural Haversian canals (tiny dark specks/pores), and natural ivory exhibits distinct cross-hatched Schreger lines; this material exhibits the characteristic uniform color, slight mold lines, and smooth finish of 19th-century celluloid/ivorine.

• Accents: Stamped brass trim and clasp, relief-stamped brass Ten Commandments medallion, velvet spine.

Condition

• Binding/Exterior: Heavy age-appropriate wear. The rear celluloid panel has some visible cracking along the edges. The original brass clasp is intact and latches properly.

• Text Block & Interior: The front endpapers/inner hinge paper show significant tearing, splits, and vintage tape repairs. Pages show age toning, minor edge tears, and handling wear expected for a 130+ year-old heavily used devotional text. Tightly bound internally. Early ink ownership inscription on front pastedown.

Authenticity Assessment

This piece is authentic late 19th-century Judaica. The imprint of publisher J. Kauffmann (Frankfurt am Main) and the 1893 date match known bibliographical registries for Henry A. Franklin’s translations. The choice of materials—synthetic celluloid/ivorine plaques combined with velvet and brass fittings—was a classic hallmark of late Victorian German-Jewish prayer book bindings, designed to mimic luxury carved ivory at an accessible price point for gift-giving (such as Bar Mitzvahs and weddings).

Reference

• Book Title: Jewish Encyclopedia (Vol. 3: "Book-Bindings and Book-Clasps") / Reference catalog entries of the Jewish Museum London (Accession No. T 130).

• Author/Publisher: Isidore Singer et al. / J. Kauffmann Publishing Archives.

• Page/Reference: Entry under Bindings & Clasps, detailing Victorian-era J. Kauffmann prayer book bindings utilizing metal mounts, velvet, and carved plaques.

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