1614-15 Early Quarto King James She Bible with Clamshell Box

The Bible: Containing the Old Testament and the New: Newly translated out of the Original Tongues: and with the former Translations diligently compared and revised, by his Majesties Speciall commandement.

Summary

A complete and early 1614-15 quarto King James Bible in attractively rebound dark calf. Text is printed in black letter and is bound with the Book of Common Prayer, Genealogies, Tables, and Whole Book of Psalms.

Description

The Book of Common Prayer largely incomplete with only the Psalms remaining. The Genealogies with printed title page by J[ohn] S[peed], complete without map. The general title page (1614) engraved within woodcut border comprising twenty-four 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 black letter. Both titles omit the words “appointed to be…” and the general title is remarkable as it reads “the Bible” instead of “the Holy Bible.” Ruth 3:15 with “she went…” Apocrypha included as issued. New Testament title page (1615) with border like the general title. Concludes with colophon (1615) and tailpiece. Bound with Two Right Profitable and Fruitful Concordances with printed title page (1615) and colophon (1615). Bound with The Whole Booke of Psalmes with printed title page (1616), lacks all after Psalm 115. Various woodcut first chapter initials and head- and tailpieces.

Collation

A^8, A-Z^8, Aa-Zz^8, Aaa-Sss^8. Complete.

Binding

Newly rebound in brown paneled calf. Boards with double fillet rolls in a rectangular center with fleurons at corners. Spine with four raised bands and blind rolls to compartments. Endpapers renewed. Each leaf cleaned and washed with the book accompanied by a clamshell case.  

Condition

Intermittent dampstain, most prevalent in the Apocrypha and the Tables; Y-Gg lower corner dampstain; upper gutter dampstain in Pentateuch; R6 open tear to lower corner with loss of a catchword; Lll1 small hole to gutter without loss; Eee8, Lll8, Sss7-8 piece torn off from lower corner without loss; Nnn6 loss of catchword; Psalter with final leaves frayed.

References

Herbert 339.