1722 Folio King James Bible in Silver Armorial Binding with Provenance

The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments: Newly Translated out of the Original Tongues; And with the former Translations Diligently Compared and Revised…

Summary

An extra-illustrated King James Bible with elaborate silver strapwork and clasps, featuring extensive provenance of the Jackson and Fleetwood families, and the original family ownership of an early Quaker.

Description

Six blank leaves in front with nine pages of manuscript genealogies including drawings of various Coats of Arms. Title page (1722) in red and black within ruled border. Text in two column Roman font. Extra-illustrated with 25 inserted plates featuring copperplate engravings, most by John Bowles. Six of the plates are foldouts. Printed New Testament title (1722) with ruled border. The Apocrypha is bound after the New Testament. Rear endpaper with four pencil drawings laid down and one ink drawing depicting two angels. Decorated head- and tailpieces with first chapter woodcut initials.

Collation

A^2, B-Z^4, Aa-ZZ^4, Aaa-Zzz^4, Aaaa-Qqqq^4, Rrrr^2 (Old Testament); Ssss-Zzzz^4, Aaaaa-Uuuuu^4, Vvvv^2 (New Testament), A-T^4, U^2 (Apocrypha). Complete.

Binding

Nineteenth century decorated calf with gilt-rolls and drawer-handle tools. Spine with five raised bands and gilt decorated and paneled compartments with the words “The Holy Bible” and “Nathaniel Jackson 1692” lettered in gilt. Silver engraved strapwork to boards with thick, heavy silver clasps. Armorial engraved silver metal crest of the Fleetwood family to front board.

Condition

Browning and staining throughout; H2 frayed to edges; H3, O1, Mm2-3 fore-edge margin reinforced; P1 lower corner strengthened; Ttt4 lower edge reinforced; one inserted plate reinforced; five of the eight foldout plates reinforced and repaired or strengthened to folds without loss; four of the engraved plates have been trimmed to the image and laid down; binding lightly rubbed. Later dark endpapers.

Provenance

Genealogies entitled “The Testimony of William Edmondson, concerning Richard Jackson, who died on Mountmelick the 7th of 2d mo. April 1679” and “This book was given to Elizabeth Fleetwood widow of Colonel Thomas Picton Fleetwood by her sister in law Mary Scott who inherited it from the Warburtons, 1894.” The first page is dedicated to Richard Jackson, who served in the army and was converted in 1654. He died at age 54 and was buried “near his Friends and Relations (amongst the people called Quakers).”

Note

The Quakers were founded by George Fox (1624-1691) and emerged during and after the English civil war. The Quakers rejected established religious norms, advocating for direct communion with the divine, and a distinctive testimonial lifestyle.

References

Herbert 959.