Image 1 of 18
Image 2 of 18
Image 3 of 18
Image 4 of 18
Image 5 of 18
Image 6 of 18
Image 7 of 18
Image 8 of 18
Image 9 of 18
Image 10 of 18
Image 11 of 18
Image 12 of 18
Image 13 of 18
Image 14 of 18
Image 15 of 18
Image 16 of 18
Image 17 of 18
Image 18 of 18
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. Rebacked retaining the contemporary two-toned Cambridge paneled calf.
Description
The printed 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. 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. The Booke of Psalmes by Sternhold and Hopkins with printed title page (n.d.). Woodcut first chapter initials and decorated head- and tailpieces throughout. This copy was likely printed in the 1630s in Amsterdam.
Collation
[par]^4, A^8, A-Z^8, &^6 (first part: Gen-Job), Aa-Qq^8 (second part: Psalms- Malachi), Aaa-Qqq^8, Rrr^4 (New Testament). Bible text complete with all title pages.
Binding
Late seventeenth century Cambridge paneled calf, recently and expertly rebacked. Spine with recessed bands, retaining original backstrip. Covers with contrasting brown panels, gilt rolls, and corner fleurons. Endpapers renewed. All edges gilt. Evidence of clasps with hasps intact. Covers rubbed and scuffed yet can be used and read on a daily basis.
Condition
Occasional spotting and browning, as commonly seen; few signatures in a contemporary hand around margin of general title; A1 (Gen 1) small inner upper loss of one letter; A2, K6, iii3, Ooo8 corner marginal loss; B8 (Gen 41) lower loss to 15 lines of text; L4 (Josh 15) loss to lower half reducing woodcut map; small marginal loss to lower corner of NT title; Psalter lacks all after Psalm 140; final extant leaf of Psalter repaired to fore-edge margin. These few faults notwithstanding, a very nice copy of a highly desirable book.
Provenance
Original marbled endpaper on front pastedown reads “Richard Gibbs 1738”. Various scribbles, doodles, and names to verso of title pages; “Thomas Smith His Book God give him grace there in to looke 1725-6” on fore-edge margin in Psalter.
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 253; STC 2171; Lea Wilson’s No. 78.