The Book of Common Prayer [...]. London: John Bill and Christopher Barker, 1679. [Together with] The Holy Bible Containing the Old Testament and the New, Newly translated out of the original tongues and with the former translations diligently compared and revised by his Majesties special command. [...]. London (or possibly Amsterdam), 1683. [Together with] The Whole Book of Psalms [...]. London: Company of Stationers, 1679.
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A lovely 17th century folio King James Bible in a particularly unique panelled binding which has a far more Dutch/German style than English and so was more likely bound in Amsterdam where some bibliographers purport this edition of the KJV may have been printed.
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Provenance:
Extensive genealogical inscription to rear blanks pertaining to the Williams family of the "County of Camarthen" (Wales, UK) dating between 1681 and 1737, the final date being the same as the below and in the same hand.
Ownership inscription of Elizabeth Williams dated aug 12th 1737.
Pencil mathematical calculation to BCP title page dated 1806 and 1845 in the same hand, calculating the age of the BCP at the time of both years, another to the general engraved title dated 1831, also the same hand.
Envelope written on to inner front board dated 1954 discussing provenance.
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Size: 257 x 408 mm (approx.)
Condition:
[(3), A-K4]; [t.p., t.p., *6, **6, map, A1, map, A2-6, B-L6, M1-5, map, M6, N-Z6, Aa-Zz6, Aaa-Mmm6, Nnn-Ooo4, A-I6, a1, map, a2-6, b-u6, x4]; [A-G4, H2, (2)]
Contemporary full calf over thick wooden boards. Remnants of clasps. Leather rubbed and in places detached from the boards, with loss, notably to the head of the backstrip, but shows attractively on the shelf nonetheless. Both boards are securely attached, the binding is secure, and stands without shelf lean. Some dampstaining in the upper gutter through the BCP, terminating in the preliminaries of the OT. Map bound opposite A1 torn in the lower right corner, but with the torn part extant. A few closed tears to margins of leaves. Some staining to 2L1 and verso leaf, not rendering text illegible, no loss of sense. Dampstaining in the gutter of s-x4 in the NT, full text remains legible. Else generally exceptionally bright and clean throughout the text block. Textually complete through all sections including the Book of Common Prayer (BCP), Old Testament, Apocrypha, New Testament, and Book of Psalms. This copy has four maps (only), of six, but retains the important world map.
[Herbert 782]
