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The Byble in Englyshe, that is to saye, the content of the holy scripture, both of the olde, and newe testament, with a prologe therinto, made by the reverende father in God, Thomas archbishop of Cantorbury. This is the Byble apoynted to the use of the churches.
Summary
An early folio of the second edition of the Great Bible with all five title pages. A beautifully rebound copy with first ownership provenance of a famous knight, merchant, and mayor of the city of London.
Description
General title page (1541) printed in red and black featuring Henry VIII above distributing his Verbum Dei to Cromwell and Cranmer, God barely squeezed in among the clouds at the top. Archbishop Cranmer on the left distributing the Bible to the clergy and the Cromwell on the right is distributing the Bible to the nobility. Below the people are without Bibles (as the Great Bible was chained to pulpits) and proclaim only Vivat Rex aside from the few who are imprisoned on the bottom right. Calendar also printed in red and black. Text in two column black letter with 62 lines to the full column. The beginning of each chapter features a floriated or historiated woodcut initial, with occasional metal cast capitals. Title pages to the second, third, and fourth parts also printed in red and black bordered by the relevant woodcuts to that section. The New Testament title page (n.d.) in red and black like the general title, except that Cromwell’s arms are removed. Concludes with The Table.
Collation
*^6, a-k^8, l^4 [first part], A-N^8, O^4 [second part], Aa-Pp^8, Qq^4 [third part], Aaa-Hhh^8, Iii^6 [fourth part], Aa-Nn^8 (-Nn6-8) [New Testament]. Lacks the final leaf of Revelation and two leaves of the Tables, provided in expert facsimile. All titles are present.
Binding
Rebound in period appropriate back calf. Boards paneled in gilt with gilt rolls and corner fleurons around a central arabesque design. Spine with six blind-lined raised bands and elaborate gilt tooling to compartments. A red gilt-lined morocco label with the words “Holy Bible” and a date of 1540 lettered in gilt to the foot. Endpapers renewed.
Condition
Intermittent staining to lower gutter and head; trimmed at head with headlines cropped in Pentateuch, and just touching a few sidenotes; 3 reinforced and remargined; 4, Kk1 lower corner repair without loss; h4,5 lower margin reinforced; l4, Rr6 laid down; Nn5 repair to lower gutter without loss; a well-preserved copy of an important early Bible.
Provenance
Early ownership inscription to foot of first Calendar leaf reading, “This Bible apertayneth unto Sir William Allyn, Knight and Alderman of the City of London.” William Allyn (1515-1586) was a prominent London merchant and Lord Mayor (1555–56). The location where Cromwell’s arms are removed on the NT title bears a merchant’s device dated 1574.
Note
An impressive copy of the scarce Great Bible so called due to its imposing size. This copy, like many from the first seven editions, is issued in a mixed state. The general title is from April 1540, but Genesis 1 and Matthew 1 from May 1541. The New Testament title page is also from a 1541 copy, as Cromwell’s arms are removed. The few small flaws notwithstanding, this is an attractive copy of an almost complete early Great Bible that is becoming increasingly scarce in commerce.
References
Herbert 53; STC 2070; Luborsky and Ingram 2070.