1606 Quarto Illustrated Geneva Bible with Interesting Provenance

The Bible: That is, the Holy Scriptures Conteined in the Old and New Testament. Translated according to the Ebrew and Greeke, and conferred with the best translation in divers Languages. With most profitable Annotations…

Summary

A complete 1606 quarto Geneva Bible with the Apocrypha. Complete Bible text in Roman font with the entire set of Geneva woodcuts and interesting provenance.

Description

Composite general title (1606) with woodcut border comprising twenty-four small 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. Text in two column Roman font containing Tomson’s New Testament and Junius’ Revelation. Complete set of Geneva illustrations and maps. Title to the Second Part (n.d.) with decorative headpiece. With Apocrypha as issued. Similar New Testament woodcut title page (1606). Concludes with the Two Tables, ending on the colophon (1605). Bound with the Whole Booke of Psalms with title page (1604) by Sternhold and Hopkins. First chapter woodcuts initials, head- and tailpieces.

Collation

[par.]^2, A-Z^8, &^6 (first part: Gen-Job); Aa-Qq^8 (second part: Psalms- Malachi); Rr-Zz^8, &&^8, **^4 (Apocrypha); Aaa-Qqq^8, Rrr^4 (New Testament).

Binding

Eighteenth century gilt-paneled calf. Sometime rebacked with old spine nicely laid down. Spine with four raised bands, elaborately decorated in gilt to compartments and a black morocco label with the words “Breeches Bible – 1606” in gilt. Renewed marbled endpapers. All edges red.

Condition

Title page laid down just reducing border. A1,2 (Gen 1-4) edges strengthened; infrequent staining and spotting; Tt4,5 trimmed without loss; New Testament title page with small hole to letterpress and ink on recto bleeding through. Aaa5 loss of a few words of sidenotes to bottom corner; lower corner stain begins in Revelation on through the Psalter; small edge loss to final leaf of Psalter. Lightly rubbed and scuffed. Slightly splayed.

Provenance

Penciled note on front flyleaf reads “In memory of Mary Silkirk Hunter, the Braidwood Collection.” Below is a note in pen describing that this Bible belonged to Sarah Grant, who was prosecuted along with her husband Laird Grant. Sarah had confessed that had withdrawn from the ordinances for two and half years. The fine was passed to her husband. “Sarah Grant Her Book July 31, 1673” inked to verso of New Testament title page along with a note “And give itt unto my Brother Arthur Grant April 10, 1674.”

References

Herbert 285; STC 2196.