The Book of Hours is a work inspired by Chase's time in New York City. On a visit to the Morgan Library he was fascinated by an exhibition of  Books of Hours from the 12th century—books filled with elaborate illustrations which made extravagant use of gold leaf in their compositions. He returned several times to study the compositions and construction of the pages and returned to San Francisco with the confidence he could create a Book of Hours on his own. This book and its popularity with his friends and collectors gave him the enthusiasm to pursue an obsession that lasted for the next five years.

Unfortunately The Book of Hours is missing. It is believed it was stolen from his studio in late 1999. It remains a book "at large".