The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments: Newly Translated out of the Original Tongues: And with the former Translations Diligently Compared and Revised. By his Majesties Special Command. Appointed to be Read in Churches. Oxford: John Baskett, 1723. [Together with] A Brief Concordance or Table to the Bible of the Last Translation by Mr John Downame, 1726.
A STUNNING LARGE QUARTO ANTIQUE KING JAMES BIBLE PRINTED BY ONE OF THE GREATEST PRINTERS OF THE BIBLE, JOHN BASKETT. A BEAUTIFUL EDITION WITH LARGE PRINT IN BEAUTIFUL CONDITION. A VERY RARE EDITION.
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This magnificent edition of the King James Bible was printed in 1723, the New Testament was printed in 1726, as was the Concordance bound at the rear. Both Old and New Testaments were printed in Oxford during the peak of John Baskett's printing. This edition was one of the best printed editions of the KJV, coming prior to the 1769 revision and so is bound with the original Apocryphal books including Ecclesiasticus, Bel and the Dragon, Baruch, 1-2 Maccabees, the Wisdom of Solomon, etc.
These Bibles were usually read and used every day for centuries, and so finding them in acceptable condition is very difficult, especially this John Baskett edition which, though very expensive, was a very popular edition for its large very readable type, as well as not being overly cumbersome like the huge folio editions which precede (and follow) it. The popularity of this edition means that copies are usually worn beyond salvaging, but our copy here is in remarkable condition, retaining its original boards with a very attractive rebacking of the spine, as well as a beautifully preserved text, despite the passing of the centuries.
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Herbert's bibliography remarks on an edition with the same engraved title page but with different dates to the title pages and different collations [974]. So this Bible is quite likely entirely unique and constructed of parts from different editions - perhaps someone at the time chose their favourite printings of the Old and New Testaments and put them together, especially as most KJV Bibles printed around this time by Baskett did not contain the Apocryphal books.
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Size: 215 x 274 x 95 mm (approx.)
(large thick quarto)
Condition:
[engraved t.p., t.p., a2, A1-3Q4, NT t.p., *3Q2-4I2, [a-d4], t.p., a2, A2-I4]
Contemporary blindstamped full calf boards, excellently rebacked with an attractive spine, with some restoration to board edges, but not corners. Boards rubbed and dry with some losses at extremities, but remain secure, without flaking, and very attractive. Spine shows very attractively on the shelf indeed, with 'Holy Bible' and '1723' written in gilt to the spine compartments. Both boards are securely attached, the binding secure, and without shelf lean. Hinges reinforced with complementary cloth. Some minor discolouration to leaf edges, but no more than typical, with edges generally very good or better.
All sections COLLATED AS COMPLETE, no missing pages/leaves of text anywhere throughout, with all called for title pages present, according to Herbert's bibliography. The different imprints of the differing sections belong to different Herbert references but do collate as complete for their respective references, including the Apocrypha, and the Index (a-d4), and Concordances, despite some mispaginations through the Concordances as called for.
Endpapers replaced, preserving a single original blank bound in at the rear, others discarded. No attached bookplates or ownership inscriptions thus internally without any writing or underlining etc throughout. Some minor dampstaining in the gutter of leaves A1-A2 of Genesis (only) else internally easily one of the most well preserved King James Bible of the 18th century, with the text block mildly toned, else appearing almost unread, in fine condition internally. A truly beautiful edition!
[Similar to Herbert 974].
