1598 Illustrated Geneva Bible with Clasps

[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…]

Description

Begins with the Psalms section from the Book of Common Prayer. 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 decorated headpiece. Includes the Apocrypha as issued. Printed New Testament (1597) title page. Concludes with a dated colophon (1598) at the end of the Two Tables. Bound with The Whole Book of Psalmes with printed title page (1599). Woodcut first chapter initials and decorated head- and tailpieces throughout.

Collation

A-Z^8, &^6, Aa-Zz^8, &&^8, **^4, Aaa-Ooo^8, Ppp^4. Lacks title page.

Binding

Rebacked paneled reverse calf, retaining rear board. Two closing clasps without hasps. Spine with five raised bands and a black label with the words “Holy Bible” in gilt. Endpapers renewed.  

Condition

Aa6 lower corner torn costing a few letters of sidenotes; prayer to verso of NT title bleeding through; Eee4 repaired closed tear into text; upper mostly marginal stain affecting a handful of lines in portions of the New Testament; some browning and spotting; Psalter at the end lacks all after Psalm 148.

Provenance

“G Halmilt 1859” to front endpaper.  

Note

An early illustrated quarto Geneva, one of just four editions printed in the sixteenth century and highly desirable.

References

Herbert 243; STC 2171.