{"product_id":"british-christmas-1946-morocco-leather-presentation-folder-illuminated","title":"*Reserved* British Christmas 1946 Presentation Folder, Morocco Leather, Illuminated Interior","description":"\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eDated to Christmas 1946, this is one of the most visually arresting objects I brought back from England. It is a hinged presentation folder, bound in two-toned fine-grain Morocco leather - a very dark navy-black outer with a crimson red onlay panel on the front bearing a gilt acanthus spray device, all bordered with multi-rule gold tooling and a gilt acanthus-wave roll. The four brass corner ornaments are original. Inside, the right panel holds a hand-finished chromolithographic illuminated sheet dated \"Xmas 1946\" with Commonwealth flags, a Holy Bible crowned by a royal crown in a central medallion, and a densely worked acanthus border in teal, pink, gold, and lavender. The left panel is lined in cream watered silk moiré with a small applied floral vignette. This format - a fine leather presentation folder enclosing an illuminated sheet with a blank center panel - was commissioned in small numbers by senior British institutions, military organizations, and civic bodies to present to members or honorees at Christmas. The 1946 date makes this the first peacetime Christmas after six years of war, and the patriotic Commonwealth symbolism reflects exactly that moment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e[d]Type | Presentation folder\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e[d]Material | Fine-grain Morocco leather, two-toned (dark navy-black and crimson); gilt tooling; brass corner ornaments; cream watered silk moiré interior; chromolithographic and hand-finished illuminated sheet on paper\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e[d]Origin | England\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e[d]Age | 1946, dated\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e[d]Style | British institutional fine binding, late Victorian decorative tradition continuing into mid-20th century\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e[d]Binding detail | Multi-rule gilt lines, gilt acanthus-wave roll border, four brass quatrefoil corner ornaments, red Morocco onlay panel with gilt acanthus spray device to front\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e[d]Interior right | Chromolithographic illuminated sheet with hand-applied gouache finishing; Union Jack and Commonwealth ensign; Holy Bible under royal crown medallion; dense acanthus scroll border; banner reading \"Xmas 1946\"; blank center panel 8 in H x 6 in W\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e[d]Interior left | Cream watered silk moiré panel with small applied chromolithographic floral vignette\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e[d]Size | 13.5 in H x 11.5 in W closed\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e[condition]\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe folder is in good vintage condition for its age and shows honest use across eighty years. The leather is structurally sound on both covers with good suppleness. The gilt tooling is largely intact and legible across the covers and spine. The four brass corner ornaments are present and secure. Corner wear is present at all four corners, with the two lower corners showing the most scuffing and some cracking and peeling of the outer leather layer at the points. The gilt acanthus-wave roll border shows some rubbing and minor losses consistent with handling. The spine hinge is intact and the folder opens and closes freely. The interior illuminated sheet is in very good condition: colors remain vivid, the chromolithographic printing and hand-applied gouache are intact without flaking, and the paper is clean with only minor surface scuffing in the wide cream center panel. The silk moiré interior panel is intact with the applied floral vignette in place. The silk shows light overall toning consistent with age but no tears or losses visible.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Austyn Marie Design","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51458722660630,"sku":"AMD-03316","price":575.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0896\/4623\/5926\/files\/JuneEnland2026-4328.jpg?v=1782159663","url":"https:\/\/austyn-marie-design.myshopify.com\/products\/british-christmas-1946-morocco-leather-presentation-folder-illuminated","provider":"Austyn Marie Design","version":"1.0","type":"link"}