The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments: Newly Translated Out of the Originall Tongues; and with the former Translations diligently compared and revised, by his Majesties speciall commandement. Appointed to be Read in Churches. Imprinted at London by Bonham Norton and John Bill, Printers to the Kings most Excellent Majestie, 1627.
AN INCREDIBLE EARLY SURVIVING KING JAMES BIBLE, PRINTED IN THE YEAR 1627 IN A STUNNING 17TH CENTURY BINDING IN COMPLETELY UNRESTORED ORIGINAL CONDITION WITH BOTH TITLE PAGES!
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Despite how many were printed, very few copies survive in early or original bindings as with this copy. Since these Bibles were usually the prized possession of any family wealthy enough to be able to afford one, they were very frequently read and appreciated, usually every day for centuries. As such, the condition of all surviving copies is usually very rough and are almost always recently rebound and repaired. Incredibly, the very early binding of this Bible has not been restored and so is as it would have been read all those centuries ago. It is a lovely example of a panelled binding, one of the first panelled bindings in England much preceding the later 18th century Cambridge panelled types.
This edition of the King James Bible is also particularly notable for the beautiful illustrated genealogies - 34 pages of them! It also has a stunning double page map of the Holy Land, including Egypt, Canaan, Israel, etc. Interestingly the map shows the locations of various cities/locations which at the time were archaeologically unknown, such as Sodom, Gomorrah, etc, but are now reasonably well known.
Most copies of early English Bibles like this lack both the Old and New Testament title pages, but with this Bible remarkably both are present. It really is in fantastic original condition which is very rarely encountered.
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Size: 170 x 225 mm (approx.)
Condition:
[34pp. (genealogy), 4pp. (description of Canaan, including 2pp. of a map), t.p., A2-A8 (dedication & to the reader), A1-3C4 (OT), t.p., 3P2-4G2 (NT)]
Contemporary 17th century full calf with blindstamped panelled design to both boards. Lacks one leaf at the front and blanks else collates as complete including both original title pages, the full suite of engraved genealogical plates, and the double page map. Binding rubbed with a little loss to the head of the backstrip, some parts seemingly reglued to the spine. Shows very attractively on the shelf. Shelf and edge wear with some loss at corners as typical. Generally externally excellent, especially given the originality and lack of restoration. Page edges non-uniform owing to some detached gatherings, further details described below.
Very early, most likely contemporary, ink ownership inscriptions to front pastedown, reading "John Purser my book", and "Elisabeth", perhaps from the original owners, with other marks and toning. A2 and A3 of genealogies detached, with creasing and very small tears to all fore edges, attached to each other by a very small part of the paper, approx. 15mm. Damp stain to top leaf edges from A2 to D2 of the genealogies. Faint pencil ownership inscription to the top of pp.5 of the genealogies, and another to pp.11. Small tear to the main title page (OT), measuring approx. 55mm tall. Very small closed tear to top leaf edge of A2 (OT). Horizontal closed tear across G2 (OT), approx. 76mm, with very small spots of red wax to the margin. Text block cracked between 2G7 and 2L8, with 2G8 to 2L1 attached very loosely, and 2L2 to 2L7 detached, but present. Title page of the New Testament with a crossed out ink inscription to the bottom with a very small tear with some loss. Very small wormhole to the inner margins from 2Q2 to 4C3 (NT). Dark ink spots covering text to 3V1 and 3V2, only one word on 3V2 being mostly covered but somewhat easily legible as a single middle letter is covered in a three letter ward, "was" (NT). Closed tear to the bottom edge of 3X2, approx. 24mm (NT). Large damp stain from 4C8 to 4E1, all text fully legible. Loss to 4G2 (final leaf of Revelations) including some loss to the text, but preserves the information of the colophon including the 1627 date.
[Herbert 406; OCLC 751648095; OCLC 33600590; ESTC S126264; MMSID 9934450933804341].
