1550 Scarce Great Bible in Velvet with Gauffered Edges

[The Bible in Englishe, that is to saye. The content of al the holy scriptures, both of the olde, and the newe testament, according to the translacion that is appointed to be rede in the churches.]

Description

Five parts bound in three volumes. 61 or 62 lines to the full column. Numerous woodcut initials (11-line, 6-line, and 4-line). Text in two column black letter. Title to the second part (Josh – Job) with ornamental border. General title (1550) and four divisional title pages, each with separate foliation and register. Apocrypha included as issued.

Collation

[par]^6 (-[par]1, general title), A-L^8 (-A1-8), Aa-Qq^8, Rr^4, A-S^8, T^6, Aa-Ll^8, Aa-Oo^8 (-Ll1,7,8, N^8, O^8). 548 of 576 ff, all lacking leaves provided in facsimile.

Binding

Early 19th century pale pink velvet (faded to brown) with brass corners and clasps. All edges gilt and gauffered. Spines with modern morocco labels. Third volume containing facsimile leaves bound in modern brown half-calf with orange textured boards.

Condition

Fifteen facsimile leaves bound in a separate volume. *2 some soiling; *6 with outer blank fore-edge restored; second woodcut title with upper outer corner repaired; C4 lower outer blank corner replaced; DD2 with small triangular tear to center of upper margin; HH4 bound in before HH3; G3 of the third part with restoration to outer margins costing a few words at head and foot; G4 with repair to upper margin with partial loss of the running title and short closed tear repair at foot; I5-6 with repairs to lower blank margin; TT5 with small repair to lower outer blank corner; Bb3 (New Testament) with small repair to lower outer blank corner; Ee1 with small repair to lower blank margin; Ll6 with some general soiling and small loss of a few words towards lower portion of the inner printed column of text, and repair to lower outer blank corner, occasional light soiling; One brass corner to rear cover of each of the main volumes missing and clasps restored.

Provenance

*6 with inscription reading “John Cue 1779.” Second woodcut title with inscription to verso: “John Lane his book amen 1685.”

Scarcity

A scarce copy of a quarto Great Bible. USTC records only one copy in holdings (Cambridge) and we trace only two copies at auction.

Note

According to a manuscript note by Francis Fry, this edition was printed for circulation in Ireland. While no illustrations are present in the text, many woodcut initials are present, with some quite large.  

References

Herbert 85; STC 2081; USTC 206225.