Description: Bound in black cloth with elaborate gilt tooling and decorative embossing. The front cover features four finely detailed gilt illustrations representing the evangelists—Matthäus (angel), Markus (lion), Lukas (ox), and Johannes (eagle)—each set within ornate corner medallions. The back cover bears a central gilt IHS medallion, a sacred Christogram derived from the Greek name of Jesus (ΙΗΣΟΥΣ), symbolizing “Iesus Hominum Salvator” (Jesus, Savior of Mankind).

The spine is richly decorated with gilt floral motifs and bears the title: “Dr. J. Mader – Die hl. vier Evangelien u. die Apostelgeschichte” alongside the publisher’s imprint: “V. A. Benziger & Co. A.G.”

All page edges are gilt, lending a luminous finish to the volume. Four silk ribbon markers—in white, purple, red, and green—are bound into the spine, each corresponding to one of the evangelists and intended for devotional reading.

A label from Boek- en Kunsthandel C. L. van Langenhuysen, Groote Markt 15, Rotterdam is affixed to the inner cover, indicating this copy was specially commissioned or sold as a deluxe edition.

Inside the front cover is an elegant ex libris of P.M.N. De Kuyper, printed in light green ink. The design features geometric linework and symmetrical motifs, with the inscription: EX LIBRIS – P. DE KUYPER – PARKLAAN 14 – ROTTERDAM This provenance links the book to the De Kuyper family, founders of the renowned Dutch distillery dynasty established in 1695.

Condition: Near fine. Minor shelf wear to extremities; gilt bright and intact. A rare and visually striking example of early 20th-century ecclesiastical book design, with distinguished provenance and devotional features.