1541 Great Bible – Fine Complete Copy Inscribed by Francis Fry to his Daughter

The Byble in Englyshe of the largest and greatest volume…

Summary

A tall fine folio of the sixth edition of the Great Bible with a complete Bible text and all five woodcut title pages. Collated, described, and gifted by Francis Fry to his daughter.

Description

Calendar printed in red and black. General title page (1541) also 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 cleRrgy and the Cromwell on the right (whose coat of arms was now removed) 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. Text in two column black letter with 65 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. Concludes with The Table and colophon (November 1541).

Collation

*^6, a-i^8 (first part), A-N^8, O^4 (second part), Aa-Oo^8, Pp^4 (third part), Aaa-Hhh^8, Iii^6 (fourth part), Aa-Kk^8, Ll^6, Mm^6 (New Testament). Bible text is complete with all titles.

Binding

Late nineteenth century dark green goatskin by “Cross, binder to the Queen.” Binder’s stamp to top of front endpaper. Boards with double gilt paneled border around a central lozenge. Spine with five raised bands and gilt tooling to compartments. “The Bible in English Cranmer’s Version” and “Ed: Whitchurch November 1541” lettered in gilt to the spine. All edges gilt. Elaborate inner dentelles. Blank endpapers.

Condition

Rubbed to joints and edges. *1 (title) some small skillful pen facsimile; eleven leaves with marginal repairs; ten leaves with marginal repairs and with few letters in pen facsimile; final two leaves of Tables soiled. A note tipped in by Francis Fry describes the copy as follows: “This is a fine large copy. I have examined it all through and certify that every leaf is the true edition and therefore a standard copy of this edition, so often mixed with other editions.” While Fry goes on to say that the title is by John Harris with his initials on it, the title page appears to be a genuine original, perhaps supplied at a later date, or less likely an excellent letterpress facsimile. A detailed collation report described the copy as “large, and all genuine, but some small areas of p[en] f[ascimile] and restorations.”

Note

Francis Fry gifted this copy to his daughter: “Priscilla Anna Fry from her loving Father Francis Fry, Tower House, Cotham, Bristol 1881.” Fry wanted the best for his daughter and likely had this copy rebound in a period style, the few missing letters replaced in pen facsimile (perhaps by John Harris), and he compared each page by hand. The restoration work is of the highest quality and sometimes the inserted note is the only way to distinguish the restored work from the original. A spectacular copy of the Great Bible with a stunning binding and excellent provenance.

References

Herbert 62; STC 2075; Luborsky and Ingram 2075.