19 237 résultats
réf. 6651Manuscript on paper bound. 19th century. Good. Octavo 18 cm; 1 78 leaves paginated in manuscript. Latin and French text on facing pages. Bound in waste vellum manuscript in French no longer easily legible. Pages thumbed and toned at edges. Interlinear corrections in text as well as tipped in overleavers with corrected text. All we know of this manuscript book derives from examination of the physical evidence. The text does not correspond to any known French verse translation of the Book of Job so it seems to be a private endeavor. The unprofessional cursive orthography accords stylistically with handwriting typical of the 19th century but the structure and materials of the binding could indicate an earlier origin. The Latin text of the Vulgate appears on the pages facing the translation. Manuscript on paper, bound. hardcover books
1611réf. 6015Coloniae Allobrogum i.e. Geneva : Pierre de la Rovière 1611. 16mo 13 cm; 2 volumes in one. 342 239 1 leaves. Printer's device on title page. Text in Greek with interlinear Latin translation and commentary. Text and commentary within ruled borders. Elaborately gilt-tooled morocco armorial binding of l'abbé Genesse i.e. of Genoa with arms within a central lozenge enclosed in a motto and filigreed in all corners and within ruled borders on both boards; spine with filigreed central panel. Edges gilt. Pages generally toned with scattered foxing; light water stain on covers and in first 100 leaves. Binding reference: Tausin "Dictionnaire des devises ecclésiastiques" 165. Arias Montano librarian of El Escorial was one of the principal editors of the great polyglot edition of the bible issued by the Plantin Press in 1571. He was denounced to the Inquisition for liberality. This edition of the Greek New Testament with Arias's extensive commentary is enclosed in an elaborate French binding flat back extensively tooled bearing the arms of the Abbé Genesse with his motto "Quae est expectatio mea nonne dominus" Psalm 38:8 What is my hope Is it not the lord. Pierre de la Rovière hardcover books
1968réf. 6073Zurich: Arta 1968. #70 of 200 copies signed by the artist. Very Good. 34 cm; 70 10 pages last five blank. Text of the Song of Songs in German. Illustrated throughout with original lithographs by Sigg printed from stone by Emil Mathieu. Printed on hand-made paper by Richard de Bas watermarked "Arta". Pages loose in portfolio as issued and preserved in laid paper chemise. Remains of original slipcase present but non-functional. Else fine. Arta unknown books
1929réf. 6431San Francisco: John Henry Nash 1929. First Edition. First Edition. Folio. Marbled boards with gilt stamped morocco label on the backstrip. 1/300 copies for private circulation. Frontispiece and ornamental borders by William H. Wilke. Jean Hersholt's copy his renowned collection of Hans Christian Andersen housed at Library of Congress with his private bookplate signature and his personal collection accession number on the front pastedown. Frontispiece and ornamental borders by William H. Wilke. Printed on fine woodblock paper. Captions dedication and colophon. A very nice copy with some wear to edges of spine internally fine. John Henry Nash unknown books
réf. ST20967aItaly late 11th or early 12th century. 485 x 124 mm. 19 1/8 x 12 3/4". Measured at widest part. Double column 53 lines in a rounded proto-gothic hand. Running titles in red. With contemporary or slightly later marginal notations; later inscriptions from its reuse as binding scrap dated 1557 and 1560 noting the volume "no. 181." Recovered from a binding and thus the vellum somewhat wrinkled soiled and with multiple folds some dark staining affecting legibility of several lines--though sense easily recoverable on one side and with effort on the other--a few tiny holes and two larger ones slightly affecting the text. Showing the usual problems associated with re-use but a grand and greatly appealing leaf nevertheless with its handsome script and imposing presence readily apparent. Partly because of its re-use in what obviously would have been a very large binding and more especially because of its age and early script this vast Romanesque Bible leaf is of there is no other way to say it but immense interest. Measuring nearly 20 inches tall it is almost large enough to be considered a so-called "Atlantic Bible" leaf a distinctive modern designation reserved for massive Bibles produced in the 11th and 12th centuries. The script here consists of a highly legible proto-gothic book hand with elegant rounded letter forms. Its overall appearance has much in common with Caroline miniscule including clubbed ascenders a strong "st" ligature and an "f" that extends below the baseline. In addition there are very few abbreviations and the ampersand symbol is used exclusively rather than the Tironian "et" favored in later scripts. The text here is from Deuteronomy 20:5-23:24 containing the final laws that Moses gives to the Israelites before entering the Promised Land. These "second laws" as they are often called include an array of statutes pertaining to sexual relations marriage divorce slavery warfare and inheritance as well as rules for agriculture clothing and diet. Our leaf previously belonged to the renowned Schøyen Collection one of the largest and most distinguished private manuscript collections in the world. Started in the 1920s by Norwegian engineer M. O. Schøyen and expanded by his son Martin the collection is particularly strong in paleography and biblical texts. Among its many unique and important manuscript pieces are treasures such as the St. Cecilia Bible the only Carolingian Bible in private hands and fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls. unknown books
1617réf. U26The Holy Bible Conteyning the Old Testament and the New. Newly Translated Out of the Originall Tongues: And with the former translations diligently compared and revised by his Maiesties Speciall Comandement… Summary: Pulpit Folio approx. 16.25" x 11.25". The third of the five distinct pulpit folios of the King James Version. A complete copy with the Genealogies by John Speed at a fraction of the price of the first edition. Description: General title page 1617. Calendar printed in red and black. The Genealogies by John Speed with title page. The double-page map in facsimile. Text in large two column black letter type with 59 lines to the full column and within a ruled border. With the reading "and she went into the citie" in Ruth 3:15. New Testament title page 1617 with the twelve tribes of Israel on the left and the twelve disciples on the right. The four evangelists with their gospel symbols around the letterpress with the Tetragrammaton the dove and the slain Lamb at the center. Collation: A6 -A1 B4 C6 D4 prelims; A-C6 D2 -D2 Genealogies and map A-Z6; Aa-Zz6 Aaa-Zzz6 Aaaa-Zzzz6 Aaaaa-Ccccc6 Old Testament and Apocrypha; A-Z6 Dddddd6 New Testament. Complete Bible text with only the map supplied in facsimile. Binding: Professionally rebound in brown calf. Covers paneled in gilt and blind. Spine with five raised bands gilt and blind tooling to compartments and with two gilt-lined red morocco labels and the words "Holy Bible" and "1611 3rd issue" lettered in gilt. Endpapers renewed. Condition: Title page laid down with loss to upper left corner; A2-C1 of prelims with marginal corner repair; 5D1-2 NT title and first leaf of Matthew with a few ink blots; 5G2 with ink blot to text obstructing a few letters on recto; 6A-6D with lower corner reinforced to margins; final two leaves of Revelation with loss to border and one letter of text; final leaf soiled and frayed to edges; overall a very nice copy with great margins. Note: The 1611 King James Bible was printed in a 59-line folio format in 1611 1613 1617 1634 and in 1640/39. The 1611 He Bible constituted a distinct edition with the reading "and hee went into the citie" in Ruth 3:15. The second edition 1613 She Bible was printed in subsequent years 1613 1617 1634 1640/39 with the variant "and she went into the citie." The second edition is frequently found in a variant state with leaves mixed in from different years but most here appear to originate from 1617. Arguably the most important book ever published in English. Its influence can best be summed up by G.M. Trevelyan who stated that "for every Englishman who had read Sidney or Spenser or had seen Shakespeare acted at the Globe there were hundreds who had read or heard the Bible with close attention as the words of God. The effect of the continual domestic study of the book upon the national character imagination and intelligence for nearly three centuries to come was greater than that of any literary movement in our annals or any religious movement since the coming of St. Augustine." Macaulay said of it "If everything else in our language should perish the King James Bible would alone suffice to show the whole extent of its beauty and power" PMM 114. References: Herbert 319. PMM 114. Robert Barker hardcover books
1800réf. ST20221aLondon: T. Bensley for T. Macklin final volume Bensley for T. Cadell & W. Davies 1800 for the six volumes of the Bible 1816 for the Apocrypha. First Printing of this Edition. 480 x 385 mm. 19 x 15 1/8". One leaf in the Apocrypha 3P2 comprising two prologues of Ecclesiasticus invisibly inserted from another copy. Seven volumes comprising the regular Bible in six volumes and the Apocrypha usually not included as a seventh volume. ABSOLUTELY MAGNIFICENT CONTEMPORARY RED NEOCLASSICAL-STYLE STRAIGHT-GRAIN MOROCCO SUMPTUOUSLY GILT AND ONLAID WITH BLUE BY GEORG FRIEDRICH KRAUSS done for Prince Albert Casimir Duke of Saxe-Teschen with repeated "AST" monogram covers with very elaborate frames incorporating 11 plain and decorative gilt rules four onlaid borders of blue morocco and very elegant swirling foliate ornamentation around the central scalloped panel six pairs of raised bands each pair flanking a recessed gilt and blue metope and pentaglyph rule very handsome spine compartments with blue fan-shaped cornerpieces and central gilt-decorated blue medallions within sunburst gilt collars turn-ins with Greek key pattern in gilt striking endleaves of turquoise and green watered silk the Apochrypha endleaves slightly different. With more than 100 allegorical headpieces and tailpieces and some 70 SPLENDID LARGE-FOLIO-SIZE COPPER PLATES after Fuseli Reynolds West and others most plates printed before letters. Tissue guards perhaps later. Herbert 1442 and 1651. First volume with about 30 leaves noticeably foxed the majority of plates offset onto previous and following pages consistent inoffensive offsetting of text on facing pages other trivial imperfections but still a very impressive copy internally with the luxurious paper used for the text both fresh and clean and the engravings richly impressed and with very little foxing. Some unimportant scuffing and rubbing to the leather but all defects minor THE MAGNIFICENT BINDINGS REMARKABLY WELL PRESERVED the heavy volumes completely solid with only insignificant signs of use and THE MOROCCO AND LAVISHLY GILT DECORATION EXTREMELY BRIGHT. AN ALTOGETHER MEMORABLE COPY. The most prodigious form of Scripture in English ever published the Macklin Bible was often put into ornate bindings especially by London binders like Staggemeier and his contemporaries. But however much other sets may glisten the present magnificent example surely stands at or near the front of the line as one of the most lavishly decorated and arresting copies in existence. Its decorative extravagance also testifies to the fact that Macklin's publication was sufficiently admired outside of England to warrant the finest workmanship and the expenditure of great sums of money on artistic resources. The very large and bold type the fine Whatman paper and the series of engravings by some of the most celebrated artists of the period make this an item that is already very desirable. Like the Boydell "Shakespeare Gallery" also printed by Bensley our Macklin Bible is a vast picture book with illustrations that are grand both in size and emotional impact. But it is of course the bindings here that matter the most. Francesco Piranesi is generally given credit for inventing the Neoclassical style when he designed volumes presented to Gustavus III of Sweden during this monarch's visit to Rome in 1783-84. Quickly popular the Neoclassical style was imitated and developed by Staggemeier & Welcher in London by F. W. Standlander in Stockholm and by Georg Friedrich Krauss in Vienna. Krauss was the most prominent Continental binder working in this style of the day and Saxe-Teschen was perhaps his most important client. Products of the Krauss bindery have passed through some of the most distinguished collections over the years particularly those of Fürstenberg and Schäfer; and his bindings have consistently brought remarkable sums of money at auction. It is sufficient to say that the present group of bindings represents the most impressive collection of decorative volumes we have ever offered for sale. The collector for whom these bindings were originally executed Duke Albert of Saxe-Teschen 1738-1822 was the son of Friedrich August II of Saxony and the son-in-law of the empress Maria Theresa. After providing important military and civil service to the Habsburg empire he retired to Vienna in 1795 and afterward devoted himself to the fine arts. He founded the Albertina which now houses the greatest collection of prints in the world and he put together a great library distinguished by the highest taste and most exacting standards. The present copy has the additional distinction of containing what amounts to an extra volume: the Macklin Bible however it is bound most often appears in the marketplace without the Apocrypha appearing here as Volume VII which was not issued until 16 years after the others. It is also of some interest that the bindings of our seven volumes were decorated in an entirely uniform fashion as a close inspection shows something not typical of a set with volumes published so many years apart. The non-uniform endleaves in the final volume here may have resulted from the fact that given the physical size of the books the binder simply ran out of the cloth he had used for lining the first six volumes. The present set was offered though unsold at Sotheby's in 2003 with an estimate of £40-50000 approximately $64000-80000 and in 2005 for £30-40000 approximately $54000-72000. T. Bensley for T. Macklin [final volume Bensley for T. Cadell & W. Davies] unknown books
1752réf. ST19424Stockholm: Tryckt af Henrick Christoph Merckell 1724-28; Peter Jöranson Nyström 1752. 422 x 275 mm. 16 5/8 x 11". 30 p.l. 1 leaf section title 234 2 section title 235-604 2 section title 605-908 2 section title 909-1387 1 pp.; 4 p.l. 300 4 301-666 pp. STATELY CONTEMPORARY CALF INTRICATELY GILT IN THE FANFARE STYLE over bevelled wooden boards covers with strapwork frame containing lilies and floral garlands central panel with strapwork rows of floral crosses the spaces between with floral sprays emerging from urns very expertly rebacked preserving original backstrip raised bands spine compartments with flowers-and-pomegranate centerpieces floral cornerpieces gilt lettering two decorative brass clasps catch plates and original straps turn-ins with lattices and floral ornaments marbled endpapers edges gilt and delicately gauffered. Five section titles with engraved vignettes. With ink presentation inscription celebrating the baptism of Claës Georg Listromer on 20th November 1604 and expressing the hope the Book will bring him wisdom as he grows signed by Claës Lindman dated 17th September 1605. A 20th century Swedish inscription below tracing the book's descent through generations of the Listromer family into the 1920s. Darlow and Moule 8821 8826. Slight variations in color of the leather Ffff8 with lower corner torn away not affecting engraving occasional faint offsetting but AN EXTREMELY CLEAN FRESH COPY in a binding bright with gilt. This impressively bound Swedish Bible was a baptism gift that clearly would have outweighed its recipient as Swedish law at the time required an infant be baptized within the first eight days of life. Although hardly practical for personal devotion and study the majestic tome was a treasured heirloom passed down in the same family for 200 years. The beautiful fanfare style seen here emerged in France in the 16th century but remained very popular in Northern Europe into the 18th century particularly for large "lectern" Bibles like the present item. The text here is an extensively annotated edition of the 1618 Gustave II Adolf Bible prepared by a father and son both named Johannes Gezelius who served successively as Bishop of Åbo. The New Testament was first printed in that city in 1711-13 the Old Testament in Stockholm in 1724-28. In our copy the New Testament is a 1752 reprinting. Tryckt af Henrick Christoph Merckell, 1724-28; Peter Jöranson Nyström unknown books
réf. ST20968-01Italy second half of 11th or opening of 12th century. 497 x 294 mm. 19 5/8 x 11 5/8". Double column 58 lines in a late Caroline hand. Running titles in red three two-line initials in red. Recovered from a binding and thus with some general soiling and staining to vellum recto illegible except for part of the headline modern reinforcement to the gutter and margins affecting a couple of letters at the end of a number of lines but the verso quite legible in most places and easily recoverable in the few places where it's not. This impressive leaf was once part of an immense lectern Bible that would have been prominently displayed at a church or monastery ca. 1075-1100. Measuring just under 500 mm. tall its dimensions are almost big enough to be considered an "Atlantic Bible" a distinctive modern designation reserved for massive Bibles produced in the 11th and 12th centuries. Despite the loss of legibility on one side due to the leaf's reuse as binding material the other side displays a lovely rounded Caroline hand with few abbreviations. The text comes from Exodus 23:11-24:18 expounding parts of civil law and Moses' journey to Mount Sinai. Our leaf was most recently part of the renowned Schøyen Collection one of the largest and most distinguished private manuscript collections in the world. Started in the 1920s by Norwegian engineer M. O. Schøyen and expanded by his son Martin the collection is particularly strong in paleography and biblical texts. Among its many unique and important manuscript pieces are treasures such as the St. Cecilia Bible the only Carolingian Bible in private hands and fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls. unknown books
1763réf. 1230541763. Cambridge: Printed by John Baskerville Printer to the University 1763. Royal folio 573 unnumbered leaves. A2 1 B-13D2 a-e2 f1. English binding of contemporary full blue-green morocco covers with elaborate gilt border backstrip richly gilt with red morocco lettering pieces stamped in gilt "HOLY BIBLE" and at the foot "BASKERVILLE" gilt edges marbled endpapers. Inevitable slight signs of wear on such a huge book but in all a very good unrestored copy internally flawless. § First edition of Baskerville's masterwork in a magnificent contemporary English binding. Third issue of the subscribers' list as usual. "John Baskerville was a monumental figure in the history of English bookbinding and printing with contemporary accounts of his work ethic revealing a man deeply engaged in virtually every aspect of book production. Yet for most of his life and indeed for many decades afterwards he was decried as a mere amateur. Still other sources show an individual with highly idiosyncratic and paradoxical habits -- he lived with Sarah Eaves for nearly two decades out of wedlock; a devout atheist who was buried in his own backyard without Christian ceremony; a man who 'had wit but always against religion and decency'" F.E. Pardoe in John Baskerville of Birmingham: Letter-Founder and Printer 1975. Paradoxically after taking the position of Printer to the University of Cambridge on 1 December 1758 Baskerville produced one of the few great Bibles. It is a true masterwork expertly printed with impeccable attention to ink type spacing paper quality and ease of use. Published on 4 July 1763 "the adjective that inevitably comes to mind is 'noble' and the volume warrants the word. It was conceived and executed on a grand scale. to show that he had now learnt his craft and was able to practice it in a masterly fashion. and the result shows again that Baskerville must be placed in the very top rank of book designers" Pardoe 87. Morison and Day The Typographic Book 1963 write that "Baskerville's folio English Bible printed for the University of Cambridge is the finest presentation of Holy Writ since Richelieu's Latin Vulgate printed at the Imprimerie Royal" 48. Gaskell 26. Herbert 1146. Morison & Day The Typographic Book 48. Huntington Library Great Books in Great Editions 7. Rothschild 2640. Rumball Petre 145. unknown books
1480réf. 4261Ulm: Johann Zainer 29 January 1480. FIRST BIBLE PRINTED AT ULM. Hardcover. Fine. An excellent copy with noble provenance of this magnificent Bible. A very large impressive copy with broad margins preserving numerous deckled edges. The quires are numbered in a contemporary hand in red ink at the foot of leaves. The stub for the canceled blank leaf ll3 the conjugate of leaf ll9 is visible with instructions to the binder. With numerous blue fabric tabs each marking an individual book of the Bible. Rubricated throughout with a few larger red brushwork initials and red and blue Lombard capitals red paragraph marks and capital strokes. The book is adorned with Zainer's distinctive large woodcut initials a larger decorative marginal decoration and a woodcut of Saint Jerome in his study working on the Vulgate. on first text leaf a few corners torn away one affecting the woodcut decoration in the margin; damp-staining in gutter and lower margin some light dust-soiling at ends. Occ. natural paper flaws in the blank margins of the paper ex. Leaf l8 p3 oo8 not affecting the text. Bound in contemporary Moravian binding of blindstamped tanned pigskin over wooden boards nicely rebacked in the mid 19th c. with gilt spine lacking clasps and catches. The leather of the boards is worn with small losses to the leather exposing the wooden boards in two places. The richly-tooled binding features tools associated with a workshop that produced bindings for the monastery see below. Provenance: 1. With an inscription of the Carthusian monastery of the Holy Trinity Brno Moravia dissolved in 1782. 2. Library of the Princes of Liechtenstein bookplate sold in 1949 by Prince Franz Joseph II 1906-1989 to H.P. Kraus. 3. Elaine and Alexandre Rosenberg acquired from H.P. Kraus New York 20 November 1957. The only Bible printed at Ulm in the 15th century by Ulm's first printer in a contemporary binding. This Bible is illustrated with numerous large intricate and unusual woodcut initials. Zainer was likely the brother of Gunther Zainer first printer at Augsburg. Both men were innovators in printed book illustration. With the Canon of Hebrew names printed annotations in the margins of the New Testament and printed summaries at the beginning of each book. An inscription on the recto of the first blank leaf indicates that this Bible was the property of the Carthusian monastery of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Brno Moravia in the 15th c. According to Jiøí Glonek "KnihvazaÄská dílna královopolských kartuziánů" the binding was produced in a workshop in Brno located in a building used by the Carthusians close to St. Jacob's church. The bindery existed from the 1460s until 1516 and produced bindings for the monastery as well as St. Jacob's. Despite the fact that the bindery was located outside of the monastery unlike the bindery at the Carthusian monastery of Olomouc Glonek who has made an in-depth study of the extant bindings concludes that the bindery was operated by the Carthusians. At its height the bindery used over 61 different tools. Among the tools used on the binding of the Ulm Bible are: EBDB s020741 scroll EBDB s020731 dog EBDB s020720 Fabelwesen Glonek 30 palmette. The Carthusian monastery at Brno was founded by the Margrave of Moravia Jan Jindøich younger brother of the Czech King Emperor Charles IV. Jindøich invited the first member of the Carthusian order Gottfried of Enns from the Austrian Charterhouse in Gaming to Brno as early as 1369 and six years later issued the founding charter of the monastery with the consent of his wife Elizabeth and his sons. The foundation charter is dated August 13 1375. The charterhouse was not incorporated into the order until the following year. "It is understood that the Carthusian library was founded together with the monastery; as of 1387 there is a mention that Jan Czapfel a chaplain at the Church of St. Jacob in Brno dedicated his library to the Královo Pole Carthusians. According to this mention the manuscripts in the collection were donated by Jan Czapfel to the Carthusians even earlier. From the end of the fourteenth century there was a bookbinding workshop for the monastery the peak of which dates back to the second half of the fifteenth century. "As part of the religious reforms undertaken by Joseph II the monastery was dissolved by decree on 12 January 1782 along with other monasteries that did not establish a school or a hospital and the brethren of which did not hold a preaching or a priesthood position. The dissolution committee arrived in Moravia six days later. The library at the time possessed fewer than 3000 volumes including manuscripts and incunabula. A total of 145 volumes including manuscripts and incunabula were sent to the Imperial Royal Court Library in Vienna after 10 March 1784. "Books that were not selected for the Court Library in Vienna went to auction which took place from 7 September 1786 to the end of 1790. We do not know exactly which of the auctions the Carthusian books were sold at but they probably went to sale at the first September and October auctions in Brno together with collections from other Brno monastery libraries.Jindr Pavelková The Library Collection of the Brno Charterhouse in the Rajhrad Monastery Library in "Monastic Libraries in East Central and Eastern Europe between the Middle Ages and the Enlightenment"Monastica Historia Volume 5. Johann Zainer, 29 January hardcover books
1926réf. ST20084Waltham St. Lawrence: Golden Cockerel Press 1926. No. 48 OF CLXXV COPIES. 258 x 195 mm. 10 1/4 x 7 3/4". 15 3 pp. Understated black crushed morocco by J. Franklin Mowery stamp-signed "JFM 94" on rear turn-in wraparound design of blind-stamped L-shaped panels of intersecting lines smooth spine with vertical gilt lettering leather hinges edges untrimmed. Original illustrated upper cover of dust jacket repaired at one corner bound in at rear. In a matching morocco-lipped slipcase. Title page with large woodcut of the risen Christ four large vignettes in the text four pictorial half borders and four full-page woodcuts all by David Jones printer's device in colophon. Front pastedown with bookplate of Jan van der Marck. Chanticleer 40. A pristine copy. This is a wonderfully--if understatedly--bound copy of one of the most strictly limited Golden Cockerel Press productions. The binding is the work of J. Franklin Mowery retired Head of Conservation at the Folger Shakespeare Library and past president of the Guild of Book Workers. Mowery studied bookbinding under Professor Kurt Londenberg at the Staatliche Hochschule für bildende Künste Academy of Art in Hamburg and trained as a paper conservator under Otto Wächter in Vienna before returning to the U.S. to work at the Huntington Library. According to his article "A Binder's Training" Guild of Book Workers' Journal XX 1981-82 the blind-stamping technique seen here was "particularly favored by Professor Londenberg" and often employed by Mowery for the range of design possibilities it offers. The method uses dies to stamp the patterns: "a photographic process can transfer any black and white image onto zinc plates that are deeply etched and mounted onto type-high metal blocks for heated impressions or onto wood for cold embossing." Mowery stated that lines of the design here represent the driving rain of the storm that struck Jonah's ship. Founded in 1920 with the intention to print fine editions of important well-known books as well as new literary works of merit from young authors the Golden Cockerel Press was purchased in 1924 by the illustrator and wood-engraver Robert Gibbings. "Under his direction" says Cave the Press was "transformed into the principal vehicle for the renaissance of wood-engraved book illustration that took place in the years between the wars." In addition to doing wood engravings himself Gibbings employed a stable of eminent artists including among others Eric Gill Blair Hughes-Stanton John Nash John Farleigh Eric Ravilious and David Jones. The memorable woodcuts are the work of Jones 1895-1974 who had a brief but impressive career as an illustrator before eye strain forced him to abandon engraving in 1930. In his published study of Jones' work Douglas Cleverdon says that in the short time Jones was engraving "he produced a remarkable amount of work of great variety; some witty some mystical; some boldly cut some delicately shaded; some simple to print some virtually impossible. Although he never attained . . . the greatest technical mastery in the conventional sense his prints are nearly always distinguished by their excellence of design personal commitment and absolute individuality." Our binding was commissioned by collector and self-described "radical" museum administrator Jan van der Marck 1929-2010 who championed artists that pushed boundaries--often to the consternation of the museum boards who employed him. Golden Cockerel Press unknown books
1974réf. 336969Franklin Center: The Franklin Mint 1974. Limited. hardcover. fine. Old & new Testaments. Full-page color illustrations throughout reproductions from the 14th century Queen Mary's Psalter held in the British Library. 1250 pages 69 page encyclopedic dictionary and biblical reference guide. Very thick 4to handsomely bound in ornately sculpted sterling silver covers 12 Troy ounces of silver; silk moire endpapers; all edges gilt. Safely housed in original burgundy clamshell drop front box with red velvet cushioning cloth. Includes supplementary notes as well as a small pamphlet with Suggestions for Care along with a polishing cloth. Franklin Center: The Franklin Mint 1974. First edition thus. A fine copy as new and likely unused. The Franklin Mint unknown books
1930réf. 21655Paris: F.L. Schmied 1930. Schmied François-Louis. Small folio 14-1/16 in x 11-1/8. 76 pp. Illustrated with twelve double-page and four single-page colored wood engravings. One of 155 copies printed on Madagascar paper plus 10 for collaborators and 7 on japon. Nasti B15. Full red morocco bound with the pages tipped to hinges cover with a central design after motifs in the book tooled in gilt on inlays of black and maroon morocco dentelles tooled in gilt and with gilt corner onlays gold and black silk moiré endsheets edges rough-gilt bound by Schmied signed on the front turn-in "F.L.S." Chemise and new matching slipcase. Light marginal foxing but in excellent condition.Schmied bound only books of his own creation choosing above all the books of his great years.The subjects of his designs come from the books themselves" Ray The Art Deco Book in France pp. 101-102. "In the introductory note.Théo Schmied points out the natural happiness of the interconnection between his father's cultural tendencies and art of the book and the world of the Near East as it is filtered by the 'inspired' Mardrus translations.throwing light on the the two fundamental aesthetic coordinates we need in order to understand how the details are made subordinate by the elegant decorative unity expressed by the plates that is the purity of the Egyptian graphic art and the will of the Italian primitives. The layout shows either a text harmoniously arranged in respect of double and single plates of various size or a text framed by rules forming a variety of geometrical patterns and decorated by bout de lignes in sienna. The illustrations mainly show subdued and delicate pastel colours" - Nasti. F.L. Schmied unknown books
1568réf. ST20921Lutetia Paris: Robert Estienne II 1568. 128 x 87 mm. 5 x 3 1/2". Two volumes. LOVELY CONTEMPORARY RED MOROCCO GILT covers with large central azured arabesque surrounded by curling vines with azured leaves smooth spines with similar vines head and foot of spines with egg-and-dart roll similar to one used by Claude de Picques second volume with faint blind lettering to spine all edges gilt perhaps with some minor early restorations but if so then done with such care as to preclude certainty. Housed in modern suede-lined calf-backed clamshell boxes with magnetic closures. Printer's device on titles and final page decorative initials and headpieces. Front pastedown of volume I with ex-libris of Georgios Arvanitidis. Renouard 171:1; Schreiber 239; Darlow & Moule 4633; Adams B-1670. See: Verron "Les Reliures de l'Entrée de Charles IX à Paris 1572 . . . réalisées par Claude Picques" in Bulletin du Bibliophile 2014 no. 2 pp. 282-98. Just a touch of rubbing to extremities front hinge of second volume open but everything quite tight text with occasional mild browning small spots trivial smudges or tiny worm trails but A BEAUTIFUL COPY clean and fresh internally and the bindings tight and lustrous with very bright gilt With exceptional visual appeal these two precious volumes shining with gilt and containing the Greek New Testament from the renowned Estienne family of printers are of special interest because of their typography their bindings and their provenance. With the expressed goal of printing Greek texts from manuscripts in the royal library at Fontainebleau François I established the post of royal printer in Greek in 1539 appointed Robert Estienne I 1503-59 to the position in 1542 and commissioned the renowned Claude Garamond to cut a new Greek font for this project. To design the type the King called on his own celebrated calligrapher Angelo Vergecio who produced in collaboration with Garamond three different sizes of what came to be called the Royal Types or "grecs du roi." According to Schreiber "These cursive Greek types are universally acknowledged as the finest ever cut." In 1548 and 1549 Robert Estienne issued the press' first Greek Testament known as the "O mirificam" edition for the opening of the dedication to the king in 16mo or "pocket" format using the smaller font of Garamond's "grecs du roi." In 1550 Robert a Protestant moved to Geneva while his son Robert II 1533-70 a Catholic remained in Paris and took over as the royal printer in Greek. Our 1568 Testament--the only one issued by the son--is a reprinting of the "O mirificam" edition but expanded with the critical apparatus from the 1550 folio edition issued by the father. Schreiber notes that our edition is interesting from a typographical point of view as it contains an even more minute version of the already small grecs du roi type for the Table of Chapters. The exceptionally pretty volumes are done in the style of royal binder Claude Picques fl. 1539-78 and employ a decorative roll very similar to one that appears on the spine of the vellum bindings Picques did for "L'Entrée de Charles IX à Paris" 1572. Our volumes once graced the library of Constantinople collector Georgios Arvanitidis 1876-1953 whose library included a number of Estienne Greek editions. They were later in the distinguished library of Frederick B. Adams 1910-2001 director of the Pierpont Morgan Library from 1948-69 and then president of the prestigious Association Internationale de Bibliophilie from 1974-83. And they were featured in the celebrated 1929 Gumuchian catalogue of 398 historically exceptional bindings as item #71. Robert Estienne II unknown books
1613réf. U11The Holy Bible conteyning the Old Testament and the New: Newly translated out of the originall Tongues: And with the former Translations diligently compared and revised by his Majesties Speciall commandement. Summary A textually complete 72-line folio King James She Bible. Bound with Speed's Genealogies in eighteenth century calf. Description Pulpit Folio 15.5" x 10.5". General title page in facsimile. Preliminaries include the Translators to the Reader 11 pp.; Kalendar in red and black 6 ff.; Almanack 1 p. in red and black; The Table and Kalendar Expressing the order of the Psalms and Lessons… 5 pp.; The Names of all the Books… in red and black 1 p. Bound with The Genealogies… by John Speed 34 pp. without the double-page map. Text in two column black letter in smaller type with 72 lines to the full column. Text within ruled border. Each chapter begins with a woodcut initial. New Testament title page 1613 features the Tetragrammaton above the Agnus Dei and the Holy Dove with Matthew and Mark on either side; on the left side are the tents of the twelve tribes and on the right side the twelve apostles; below the letterpress are the Lamb slain along with Luke and John. Many headpieces vignettes and decorated initials throughout. Collation A-B4 -A1 title C6 D4 prelims; A-C6 Genealogies; A-Z6 Aa-Zz6 Aaa-Zzz6 Aaaa-Mmm6 Nnnn6 Bible text. Lacks general title page supplied in facsimile. Binding Eighteenth century calf rebacked and recornered with original spine laid down. Boards paneled in blind. Spine with six raised bands blind stamps to compartments and a red morocco label with the words "Holy Bible" lettered in gilt. Plain endpapers. Condition Light browning and staining but generally clean throughout; trimmed occasionally touching headline; A2 A3 of prelims with lower marginal loss; A4 B6 Kkkk2-5 with marginal fraying or loss not impacting text; Z6 Ss6 NT title with small repair to gutter; Uuu6 with small marginal loss; final leaf of Revelation stained and laid down. Provenance Eighteenth century ownership inscription of Thomas Chisnal to A23. Badder family manuscript record of births from 1765-85 to 3T5v. Note The true 1613 folio edition "easily distinguishable from the other large folio editions by its smaller type" Herbert. The number of leaves are reduced from 732 to 508 and was "no doubt designed as a cheaper alternative for poorer churches" Norton A Textual History of the King James Bible p. 76. This true second folio introduces four readings that have become standard: 'that ye may have' for 'the he may haue' Ez 6:8 'she poured it not' for 'she powred it' Ez 24:7 'as a flower' for 'as floure' 2 Es 15:50 and 'what thy right hand doeth' for 'what they right doeth' Mt 6:3. References Herbert 322; USTC 3005767; ESTC S122066. Robert Barker hardcover books
1901réf. T60The Boke off the Revelacion off Sanct Jhon the Devine done into Englysshe by William Tyndale Summary: A noble private press production of William Tyndale's Book of Revelation under the direction of C.H. St John Hornby. The text follows Tyndale's 1534 translation preserving the language of the earliest printed English New Testament in a setting distinguished by clarity proportion and generous margins. Description: General title page 1587 with printer's device. Each of the four chapters begins within a decorative initial. Text presented in single-column Roman font. Outer margin contains cross-references and few notes. Includes two indexes Tables at the rear. Pagination: 1250797 pp. Collation: par8 A4 B-Z8 Aa-Zz8 Aaa-Zzz8 Aaaa-Iiii8 -Iiii2-8. Textually complete lacking final six leaves of Tables and final blank leaf. Binding: Original limp vellum. Condition: Crisp and clean throughout. Provenance: Philip C. Duschnes Rare Books and bookplate of General Theological Seminary to pastedowns. Note: The Ashendene Press one of the great English private presses of the period alongside the Kelmscott Press and the Doves Press is celebrated for its stately typography and uncompromising craftsmanship. Of the press' 132 books nine were biblical in subject. This book is printed on Ashendene paper made by Batchelor using Fell types on loan from Oxford University. This is the second book produced by the press and the first in two columns and with black an red throughout. References: The Privately Printed Bible pp. 26-27. Ashendene Press hardcover books
1612réf. U08Description Quarto 8.5" x 6.5". The Genealogies by John Speed defective lacking first eleven leaves but with the sought-after double-page map. Lacks the general title page. Text complete in two column Roman font within ruled border and 56 lines to the column. The text follows the 1611 folio Bible including numerous errors though a few mistakes have been corrected. The reading "and she went into the citie" in Ruth 3:15. Apocrypha included as issued. New Testament title page 1612 engraved within woodcut border comprising twenty-four compartments showing the tents of the twelve tribes as well as the figures of the twelve apostles. Title is enclosed within a heart-shaped frame. Ends on colophon 1612. Bound with The Booke of Psalmes by Sternhold and Hopkins lacking title page and all after Psalm 115. First chapter decorative initials and head- and tailpieces. Collation A-Z8 Aa-Zz8 Aaa-Zzz8 A-M8. Bible text complete. Lacks general title page. Binding Rebound in brown paneled morocco. Spine with six recessed bands and the words "Holy Bible" lettered in gilt. Renewed marbled endpapers. Condition Infrequent staining more prevalent to the New Testament with larger stain from 1 Corinthians to Revelation; Map with lower fifth of right half torn away with closed tears and repairs to verso; many leaves of Genealogies repaired to fore-edge margin; trimmed touching outer printed border on occasion; B5 Xxx5 lower corner loss costing a few letters; Ii2 Yyy1 Zzz7 lower corner loss costing a few verses; Uuuu8 Matthew 1 frayed with repaired closed tears but no loss; Psalter stained throughout. A good copy overall of the first quarto She Bible of the King James Version. Provenance "Richard Tribe his book" to verso of New Testament title page; "Mary Hunter her book May the 4 1746" to verso of final leaf of Revelation. Note The first quarto edition of the King James Bible printed with both the "He" and "She" variant with the She Bible this edition being more scarce. A close reprint of the first edition He folio and it represents the earliest state of the text. Prices for the first folio edition of the KJV are now such as to be beyond the means of all but the most avid and wealthy collector. While not cheap this quarto represents an opportunity for the collector of more modest means to obtain the first state of the KJV text. Scarcity USTC shows only 12 copies in holding with four in North America. References Herbert 314; STC 2220; USTC 3005300. Robert Barker hardcover books
1862réf. ST20857London: Edmund Evans for Sampson Low Son and Co 1862. ONE OF PERHAPS 10 COPIES PRINTED ON VELLUM. 260 x 195 mm. 10 1/4 x 7 3/4". vii 1 235 1 pp. Publisher's stiff vellum smooth spine with gilt lettering edges untrimmed. In a modern felt-lined blue buckram drop-back box. Decorative initials in red or blue title page and text leaves with full criblé border of vined foliation occasionally inhabited eight or 10 leaves with more extensive illustrations at head or foot all engraved by W. J. Linton after illustrations by John Franklin. Front pastedown with ex-libris of Marion Hope Rattey. A Large Paper Copy. McLean "Victorian Book Design" p. 184. Short thin cracks to head and tail of front joint spine vaguely soiled upper cover with two very small brown spots and one trivial red mark occasional mild rumpling or naturally occurring variations in the grain or thickness of the vellum as usual a couple of minor smudges but still a very agreeable copy the binding solid and without the splaying common in vellum books the interior clean fresh and bright and the margins extraordinarily wide. This is an infrequently encountered copy of a beautiful Victorian book on vellum issued by one of the era's top printers. The volume was printed by Edmund Evans 1826-1905 who is now best remembered for his illustrations and advances in color wood engravings. Relatively little is known about this book's production: Ruari McLean tells us that it was "entirely printed" by Evans but it is unknown whether he was responsible for the design as well McLean remarks that "if Evans was responsible for its design it shows his superiority in book-making". We also are unsure how many copies were printed on vellum although the general consensus is 10. Regardless as McLean tells us "it is one of the prettiest books of the 'sixties" with sharp deep impressions of the type on the rich creamy vellum jewel-like colored initials and elegant wood-engraved illustrations. These illustrations are the work of John Franklin ca.1800-68 a painter and draftsman who was highly respected in his own time. The precisely realized borders feature idealized human forms posed within a robust botanical largely acanthus context the figures posing with balletic grace their expressive faces often turned gently away from the reader. The size of the leaf here is significant: the untrimmed edges retain their tiny printing pinholes which would normally have been trimmed away with regrettable loss. And not surprisingly our vellum printing is almost never seen: we could trace just two copies at auction since 1924. Former owner Marion Hope Rattey 1922-97 was likely the daughter of bibliographer Clifford C. Rattey 1886-1970 whose impressive library featured incunabula and block prints. [Edmund Evans for] Sampson Low, Son, and Co unknown books
1738réf. ST20462Zurich: David Gessner 1740 1738 1738. 162 x 90 mm. 6 3/8 x 3 1/2". 270 pp.; 192 16 pp.; 64 pp. LOVELY PIERCED VERMEIL SILVER BINDING over dark brown sharkskin the metalwork with intricately twining strapwork accented with acanthus leaves a basket of flowers and two eagles elongated vermeil head and tail caps over spine two fore-edge clasps gilt patterned paper pastedowns all edges gilt. Housed in a fine modern brown morocco felt-lined clamshell box. First two works with extra engraved illustrated title page. Ink gift inscription on front flyleaf: "Helen McDowell/ from her/ affectionate/ illegible/ with sincere/ good wishes/ for her future/ happiness/ August 1864." For the binding: Hayward "Silver Bindings from the J. R. Abbey Collection" 14. Sharkskin with just a hint of chafing occasional mild browning or foxing to leaves but QUITE A FINE COPY clean and fresh internally and the binding shining and unworn. Beautifully executed and wonderfully preserved this New Testament is an excellent example of the vermeil bindings--that is silver-gilt or gilded/gilt silver--produced in Switzerland and southern Germany during the Baroque period. As is typical this binding is without a hallmark but it closely resembles another New Testament bound in shagreen and vermeil described and pictured as item #14 in Hayward's "Silver Bindings from the J. R. Abbey Collection" which Hayward indicates was produced in Zurich in the early 18th century. These intricate silver bindings were popular for religious works presenting what Hayward calls a "combination of ostentatious wealth and piety" and this one was executed with great skill featuring graceful lines and delicately rendered details. There are two main types of silver bindings from the period: engraved and pierced bindings like the present example which were especially popular in the 17th century; and embossed or repoussé bindings which came into fashion in the late 17th and early 18th century. Of the two the engraved and pierced bindings are generally valued more highly because they required more time and skilled labor. David Gessner unknown books
1660réf. T24The Holy Bible containing the Bookes of the Old and New Testament… Summary: Pulpit Folio in 2 Vols. 19" x 13". A pulpit folio Field's Bible commemorating the restoration of Charles II. Bound in contemporary morocco with six double plate engravings including Adam and Eve in the Garden and Solomon's Temple. Description: 2 works in 2 vols. Begins with The Book of Common Prayer with printed title page 1660 preceded by a full-page engraving of the Royal Arms by Hollar. The entire work is elaborately ruled in red and features wide margins. Engraved title page by Diepenbeeck and Lambart featuring King Solomon on the throne with David Moses and Aaron above. Double page plate of Adam and Eve in the Garden featuring a variety of animals including a unicorn. The second double page plate with vestments and details of the tabernacle. Other plates include a map various views of Solomon's temple and a very large fold-out of Jerusalem. Collation: a2 A-Z2 Aa-Ll2 BCP par4 parpar4 A-Z6 Aa-Zz6 Aaa-Kkk6 Lll4 Genesis-Job; Mmm-Zzz6 Aaaa-Yyyy6 Zzzz8 a-y4 A-Z6 Aa-Dd6 Ee8 Psalms – Revelation. Binding: Nineteenth century dark green paneled morocco. Covers with gilt stamp image featuring Kin's College Chapel in Cambridge around an elaborate gilt rolled border. Spine with six sets of double raised bands and elaborate tooling to compartments with the words "Holy Bible" and "Genesis – Job" or "Psalms – Revelation" lettered in gilt along with a date to foot. Red endpapers. All edges gilt with inner dentelles. Condition: The text is clean and bright appearing unread; Garden of Eden plate mounted to stub with repaired closed tear; Map of Jerusalem with a few short closed tears. Joints in volume 2 cracked but holding firm. Note: A very good copy of the popular Restoration Bible celebrating the return of Charles II. The text was first published the previous year by John Field printer to the University of Cambridge who had been commissioned to supply a lectern bible for use in churches and libraries. Former university Vice-Chancellor John Worthington noted that "For a fair large letter large paper with fair margin … there was never such a Bible in being". This work is the first King James Bible provided with illustrations and beautiful double-plate engravings at that. References: Herbert 668; ESTC R17044; Wing B2258. John Field hardcover books
1612réf. R28London: Robert Baker 1612. 4to approx. 7.5" x 5.5". A scarce copy of the first separately issued quarto New Testament of the King James Version. A very early printing closely conforming to the first edition He Bible. Description: Title page 1612 with woodcut border featuring the four gospel symbols and the figures of fides and humilitas with the royal arms above. Text in single column black letter with headings and marginal references in Roman type. Concludes with dated colophon 1612. First chapter floriated initials head- and tailpieces. Collation: A-Z8 -A4 A5 Aa-Vv8. Lacks two leaves Matthew 2:17-4. Binding: Nineteenth century blind paneled brown calf. Rebacked with old brown morocco spine. Gray plain endpapers. All edges red. Rubbed with bumped corners. Condition: Text is generally clean with sporadic marginal spotting; final leaf lightly soiled; title page with short marginal tear mounted on a stub with small loss to inner margin; four leaves with lower marginal loss not impacting text; headlines cropped on a handful of leaves; overall a bright copy. Provenance: "M W Stoddard August 1870" to front endpaper; "Thomas Bonn was born in the year 1694" to verso of title page. Note: Arguably the most important book ever published in English and an opportunity to own a first edition at the fraction of the price of a complete He Bible. Macaulay said of it "If everything else in our language should perish the King James Bible would alone suffice to show the whole extent of its beauty and power" PMM 114. The quarto New Testament is more scarce than its complete quarto Bible counterpart H313 and slightly more common than the very scarce octavo and 12mo editions H310 and H315. References: Herbert 318; ESTC 2910; USTC 3004925 with only 18 copies in holdings. Robert Barker hardcover books
1876réf. R69Description: Quarto 9.75" x 6.5". Text in two column Roman font. 3-892 Old Testament 1-276 pp. New Testament. The books of the Old Testament are arranged in Jewish order with Chronicles at the end. One of 950 copies. Binding: Rebacked in matching black calf with original spine laid down. Embossed cloth spine with "Holy Bible" and "Translated by Julia E. Smith" lettered in gilt to spine. All edges speckled red. Rubbed to edges with loss of small portions of relaid spine. Condition: Crisp clean and bright. Provenance: Note inked on front flyleaf reads "This Bible translated by my late wife Julia E. Smith is presented to Mrs. Susan E. Tullar by Amos A. Parker Aged Ninety Eight – Fitzwilliam N.H. June 20th 1889." Note: A remarkably well-preserved copy of the first and only Bible translated entirely by a woman. Julia E. Smith 1792–1886 of Glastonbury Connecticut used her knowledge of Latin Greek and Hebrew to render the entire Bible into English. A member of the Sandemanian sect which sought to restore the Apostolic church she dedicated eight years to her translation but did not publish it for another twenty-one years. Sampson recounts Julia's deep passion for the project: "I cannot express how greatly I enjoy the work of translating and now the real meaning of different texts would thrill through my mind till I could hardly contain myself." According to one account she became so engrossed in her work that she often failed to hear the dinner bell and had to be summoned by her sisters. Elizabeth Cady Stanton in her radical and controversial work The Woman's Bible remarked that Smith's translation would become a rarity in the next century "much sought after by bibliomaniacs to say nothing of scholars who will want it for its real value." References: Herbert 2202; Hills 1918; Rumball-Petre 201; Stanton Elizabeth Cady. The Woman's Bible. Sampson Emily. With Her Own Eyes: The Story of Julia Smith. American Publishing Company hardcover books
1574réf. P37Summary: London: Richard Jugge 1574. Folio 13 x 9 in. The third folio edition of the Bishops' Bible with a fold-out map. Text in attractive black letter and a good number of woodcuts and four titles. Description: 26 out of 28 preliminary leaves present with Calendar printed in red and black. Lacks general title but all four other title pages are present. Printed in smaller type than the 1572 folio but still contains woodcuts as chapter summaries Genesis Exodus Numbers Matthew Mark Luke John etc. and an additional full-page composite cut before Revelation and a few maps. First chapter initials and decorated head and tailpieces throughout. Collation: A-M8 N6 Gen-Deut; Aa-Ss8 Tt6 Joshua-Job; Aaa-Sss8 T6 V6 Psalms-Mal; Aaaa-Mmmm8 Nnnn6 Apocrypha; A-Q8 R6 New Testament. Lacks general title and R4-R6 last three leaves. With two page fold-out map of New Map of Places Mentioned in the New Testament bound at front but lacks the two page fold-out maps in Exodus and Joshua. Binding: Rebacked in marbled calf with old marbled sheep covers laid on. Front cover with some surface loss. Spine with four raised bands and a red gilt-lined label with the words "Bishop's Bible." Plain endpapers. Condition: Generally a very good copy with marginal notes occasionally shaved; Occasional staining to the top and bottom margins e.g. D3-D6 K6-K8; some browning; Aii Matt 1 piece torn from inner column with loss of a few verses; B4 closed tear to outer edge just touching the text and through several notes; C1 long closed tear through most of the inner portion of the leaf without loss; G7 closed tear to bottom of inner column through 18 lines; M7 closed tear with loss to the first several lines of text to both columns; ex-library bookplate of Zion Research Library on front pastedown. Note: The third folio edition of the Bishops' Bible. Printed in smaller type with 63 lines to the column. After the first folio which contains over 120 woodcuts the number of woodcuts in the Bishops' Bible gradually decreases. The third folio still contains a good number of cuts and the fold-out map at the beginning of this copy is quite nice. References: Herbert 137; STC 2109; ESTC S107032; Luborsky & Ingram 2109. Richard Jugge hardcover books
1591réf. P36Summary: London: Deputies of Christopher Barker 1591. Pulpit Folio 15 x 9.75 in. A later pulpit folio Bishops' Bible with attractive black letter text. Textually complete with a portion of the general title the New Testament title and in very good condition. Description: Includes nine preliminary leaves with the Kalendar ending on the full-page Adam and Eve engraving. The general title page 1591 in red and black is laid down. Text is in two column black letter. The New Testament title page 1591 within architectural border. First chapter initials and decorated head and tailpieces throughout. Collation: A-Z6 Aa-Zz6 Aaa-Zzz6 Aaaa-Zzzz6 Aaaaa6 Bbbbb4. Complete. Binding: Rebound in modern brown calf with original covers laid down. Covers within double blind-rolled border and fleurons at corners. Spine with six blind-lined bands and blind rolls to compartments. A dark red gilt-lined label with the words "Holy Bible 1591" in gilt. Plain endpapers. Condition: The text is generally in very good condition with good margins throughout. Occasional staining mostly marginal and a few minor marginal tears. General title is missing 60 percent with the bottom portion mounted an inserted on the verso of a leaf before the prelims. Below the title is a slip of paper with "William Ingham and Richard Weles bought this booke." On the front free endpaper is a large inscription 'John Smeeton His Book" and at the top are records of the births of five children 1658-1661. On the recto of the following leaf is a bookplate that reads "in the Savoy John Smeeton August 20 1675."; inserted after the title are two slightly defective leaves of the Proper Lessons in manuscript; Prelims include the Almanacke and Kalendar about one third of June/July is missing and the whole is a bit worn; the final preliminary leaf with some paper repairs to the top edge reducing the border of the Adam and Eve engraving; bottom corner of Genesis 2 is torn away and replaced in manuscript; G1-N3 Ex-Num worm hole to the top inner margin not impacting text; Kk4 paper flaw removing some letters of sidenote on verso; Tt3 paper flaw without loss; Tt6 Bbb2 Yyyy3 with closed tears into the text; Uu1 piece torn from margin just touching the text and removing a couple of word from the sidenote; Xx2-Zz6 slight marginal worming; Qqqq6 possibly a paper flaw with old repair slightly obscuring some letters of text; final leaf bound slightly askew with some lower marginal repair. Note: One of a series of large folio black letter Bishops' Bibles. These Bibles were often used in parish churches but people of means bought them for private us as was apparently the case in this copy. The folio Bishops' Bibles that have survived are frequently imperfect as is the copy described in Herbert's catalog. References: Herbert 209; STC 2156; ESTC S121300. Deputies of Christopher Barker hardcover books
