Biblia sacra, integrum utriusque Testamenti corpus complectens, diligenter recognita et emendata. Cum concordantiis simul et argumentis, cumque iuris canonici allegationibus passim adnotatis. Insuper in calce eiusdem annexa sunt nominum Hebraeorum, Chaldaeorum atque Graecorum interpretationes huic editioni adjectae, et Index rerum et sententiarum Veteris et Novi Testamenti. Paris: Thielman Kerver (i.e. Yolande Bonhomme), 1549, 8vo.
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A beautiful post-incunable Bible with fine full page plates in a noble contemporary French binding with the gilt stamped original ownership of "Richard" and "F. Renatus" with a corresponding contemporary inscription in a humanist hand to the rear endpaper, presumably in the hand of the owner. Of note is the printer who was a very early female printer, indeed, she was the first woman to print the Bible. She most often used her husband's name in her printer's devices (Thielman Kerver) who died in 1522.
EXTREMELY RARE. We can trace no other copies of this edition in commerce and only 5 copies held institutionally worldwide, with none known in the UK, US, or any country except for France and Italy, making this one of the rarest of printed Bibles in the incunable and post-incunable periods in absolute terms. This copy, being totally complete with all plates, leaves, blanks, etc, in a noble contemporary binding, easily ranks as one of the most excellent Kerver Bibles to appear on the market in recent memory.
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Size: 123 x 167 mm (approx.)
Condition:
[(1), A8, B4, a-z8, aa-zz8, A-Y8, Z6, aaa-eee8, (1)]
COLLATED AS COMPLETE with both full page illustrations, often lacking, as well as the beautiful engraved title leaf and large printer's device, with the original blanks at the front and rear. Note that the USTC copy's collation is bound in a different order, but with the same leaf count. Contemporary rubrication in the margin and text throughout the entire text block. Very clean throughout the text, exceptionally well preserved.
Contemporary fine binding with central gilt design to both boards with "Richard" on the rear board and "F. Renatus" to the rear. Binding worn with some losses to the leather, but with both boards securely attached and the binding secure. Attractive. Clasp metalwork fully extant, though the lower clasp is coming a bit loose. Old (contemporary) inscriptions to front pastedown partially covered, with a further inscription to the rear endpaper possibly in the hand of the commissioner of the binding. An excellent copy of this extremely rare early printed Bible.
[USTC 150168].
