The Holy Bible. Oxford: Printed at the Theatre, 1685.
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A beautiful very large folio King James Bible from the 17th century. A very large edition undoubtedly produced for Pulpit/Ecclesiastical use rather than for individual purposes, at least originally. An attractive copy in original condition in its original 17th century leather binding, fully useable and legible. A fantastic copy, very scarce in original condition as here. The appeal of an edition like this, aside from its rarity, is that it is a Pulpit Folio edition, following the format of the first editions of the KJV.
A very rare edition, lacking the main (general) title page else collating as complete. VERY RARE in such a state of completion. WorldCat records the majority of copies of this edition to be lacking at least a few leaves and in poor condition due to their generalised institutional continual use, often for more than a century. Fortunately, this copy was clearly used, but well cared for.
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Size: 295 x 425 mm (approx.)
Condition:
[(π³), a¹–a⁶, b¹, B¹–5C⁶, t.p., 5D¹–5B⁶, 5C⁸, 6D¹, (π²)]
Contemporary full panelled calf binding, most likely bound in Oxford. Binding rubbed and dry with some losses to the leather, a large detached section of leather is preserved inside the front cover for restoration if desired, though this copy is in unrestored original condition and so is very charming. Both boards are securely attached, the book functions properly as a book. Without any attached bookplates or ownership inscriptions. Leaves a1 and b1 are detached but present. Lacks the main title, else collates complete and thus scarce in that regard. Includes the table at the foot of 6D1b as mentioned in Herbert's bibliography. Exceptionally clean throughout the text block, mildly toned with the occasional mark, but generally as clean and bright a text block as one could hope for in a 17th century text. Truly an exceptional copy of a very large 17th century King James Pulpit Bible.
[Herbert 797; OCLC 49978661].
