The Old Testament and The New Testament of our Lord Jesus Christ, Translated out of Greeke by Theod. Beza: With Briefe Summaries and expositions upon the hard places by the said Author, Ioac. Camer, and P. Loseler Villerius. Englished by L. Tomson. Together with the Annotations of Fr. Iunius upon the Revelation of St John. Imprinted at London by Robert Barker, printer to the kings most Excellent Majestie, 1609. [Together with] The Book of Psalmes. Collected into English Meetre by Thomas Sternhold, John Hopkins, and others [...]., London, 1608.
A BEAUTIFUL ORIGINAL GENEVA BIBLE PRINTED IN 1609, BOUND WITH A BOOK OF PSALMS FROM 1608, HERE IN A FANTASTIC 18TH CENTURY CAMBRIDGE PANELLED BINDING!
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A rare original 1609 "Breeches" Geneva Bible, so named for the reading in Genesis 3:7 describing Adam and Eve as having made "breeches" to cover their nakedness instead of "aprons" or "loincloths".
The Geneva Bible is unique among all other Bibles. It was the first Bible to use chapters and numbered verses and became the most popular version of its time because of the extensive study notes. These notes were included to explain and interpret the Scriptures for the common people and laid the foundation for a Republican form of government. For nearly half a century these notes helped the people of England, Scotland, and Ireland understand the Bible.
When the Pilgrims arrived in America in 1620, they brought the Geneva Bible with them. You can see why this remarkable version with its study notes played a key role in the formation of the American Republic, and its influence on the development of Western thought, politics, government, society generally, and literature (the Geneva Bible is often called 'The Bible of Shakespeare' for example).
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Size: 169 x 222 mm (approx.)
Condition:
[(3), fol.5-190, fol.1-127, title, fol.2-121, 3q2-3r4, title, a2-g6]
18th century Cambridge panelled calf binding, very attractive indeed. Binding rubbed with minor losses to extremities of backstrip, but generally very presentable. Both boards are attached securely with the binding secure and without shelf lean. Joints cracked but feel very secure, boards open normally, hinges cracked. No attached bookplates. Lacks first four leaves incl general title page, as often, thus text starts at Genesis 11:11, otherwise continues uninterrupted, New Testament collates as complete (incl. the two tables). Some early leaf edge repairs to the first and last four leaves. Lacks final two leaves of the Book of Psalms, but all of the Psalms are present, the lacking leaves are various prayers etc. Text block mildly toned throughout in line with expectation with the odd small stain/mark etc, but generally internally significantly better than typically encountered. Ownership inscription to blank verso of New Testament title page dated 1679 of Richard Long with a calculation below from 1724.
