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The Holy Bible containing the Bookes of the Old and New Testament…
Summary
A pulpit folio Field’s Bible commemorating the restoration of Charles II. Bound in contemporary morocco with six double plate engravings including Adam and Eve in the Garden and Solomon’s Temple.
Description
2 works in 2 vols. Begins with The Book of Common Prayer with printed title page (1660) preceded by a full-page engraving of the Royal Arms by Hollar. The entire work is elaborately ruled in red and features wide margins. Engraved title page by Diepenbeeck and Lambart featuring King Solomon on the throne with David, Moses, and Aaron above. Double page plate of Adam and Eve in the Garden featuring a variety of animals including a unicorn. The second double page plate with vestments and details of the tabernacle. Other plates include a map, various views of Solomon’s temple, and a very large fold-out of Jerusalem.
Collation
a^2, A-Z^2, Aa-Ll^2 (BCP), [par]^4, [par][par]^4, A-Z^6, Aa-Zz^6, Aaa-Kkk^6, Lll^4 (Genesis-Job); Mmm-Zzz^6, Aaaa-Yyyy^6, Zzzz^8, a-y^4, A-Z^6, Aa-Dd^6, Ee^8 (Psalms – Revelation). Complete.
Binding
Nineteenth century dark green paneled morocco. Covers with gilt stamp image featuring Kin’s College Chapel in Cambridge around an elaborate gilt rolled border. Spine with six sets of double raised bands and elaborate tooling to compartments with the words “Holy Bible” and “Genesis – Job” or “Psalms – Revelation” lettered in gilt, along with a date to foot. Red endpapers. All edges gilt with inner dentelles.
Condition
The text is clean and bright, appearing unread; Garden of Eden plate mounted to stub with repaired closed tear; Map of Jerusalem with a few short, closed tears. Joints in volume 2 cracked but holding firm.
Note
A very good copy of the popular Restoration Bible celebrating the return of Charles II. The text was first published the previous year by John Field, printer to the University of Cambridge, who had been commissioned to supply a lectern bible for use in churches and libraries. Former university Vice-Chancellor John Worthington noted that “For a fair large letter, large paper, with fair margin … there was never such a Bible in being”. This work is the first King James Bible provided with illustrations, and beautiful double-plate engravings at that.
References
Herbert 668; ESTC R17044; Wing B2258.