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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
The famous 1599 quarto Geneva Bible. Complete Bible text in Roman font with the full set of Geneva illustrations and maps. A well-read copy one of the most desirable editions of the Geneva Bible.
Description
Begins with an incomplete copy of the Book of Common Prayer. The general title page (1599) 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. Second printed title page with woodcut of the Red Sea. 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. Issued without Apocrypha. New Testament title page (1599) with similar woodcut border as general title. Concludes with a dated colophon (1599) at the end of the two Tables. Bound with The Whole Book of Psalmes with printed title (1653) within decorative border. Woodcut first chapter initials and decorated head- and tailpieces throughout. This copy was likely printed in the 1630s in Amsterdam.
Collation
[par]4, A8, A-Z8, &6 (first part: Gen-Job), Aa-Qq8 (second part: Psalms- Malachi), Aaa-Qqq8, Rrr4 (New Testament). Bible text complete with all title pages.
Binding
Contemporary paneled calf, rebacked and recornered, rubbed. Boards with faintly paneled in blind with corner fleurons and evidence of clasps. Spine with recessed bands. Plain endpapers.
Condition
Edges rather frayed to fore-edge and head of text, rounded at upper corner; toning and browning; occasional spotting or staining, mostly to lower margin and infrequently to gutter; Title to Psalter with repaired closed tear into text; final two leaves of Psalter repaired to margin with loss.
Provenance
A few contemporary ink annotations to margins with a twentieth century inscription to front free endpaper; earlier note in a contemporary hand to foot of printed title.
Note
Most Geneva Bibles dated 1599 were printed in Amsterdam following King James's 1616 ban on printing the Geneva Bible in England, intended to promote his sponsored translation. Despite the ban, the Geneva Bible remained popular and was printed abroad, then imported into England. In the 1630s, Archbishop Laud prohibited its importation, prompting printers to add falsely dated title pages to circumvent restrictions. The Geneva Bible's popularity endured for over three generations, as evidenced by the vast number of pirated copies available today, highlighting that the King James Bible did not immediately become the dominant text.
References
Herbert 248; STC 2174; Lea Wilson’s No. 6.