1628/1666 KJV Composite Bible With Inscriptions
$ 775.18
Description
London 1628 (Old Testament) & Cambridge 1666 (New Testament) Later 18th-century binding – With remarkable 1771 manuscript deed of ownership A genuine 17th-century King James Bible , formed from two early components: Old Testament: London, printed by Bonham Norton & John Bill , King’s Printers, c. 1628 , quarto. New Testament: Cambridge, printed by John Field , 1666 . Binding: English calf with raised bands and gilt spine label “HOLY BIBLE,” likely early–mid 18th century . This volume represents a historically typical composite Bible , assembled in the 18th century from earlier printed parts for continued family use. The Apocrypha and genealogical tables are not present, a feature consistent with post-Restoration Protestant practice in northern England. Bibliographical Identification: These readings securely place the text within the 1628 London quarto series produced by the official King’s Printers only seventeen years after the first 1611 edition. The New Testament is a distinct production from Cambridge University Press, John Field, 1666 , printed the very year of the Great Fire of London, when Cambridge printings frequently replaced worn London texts. I suspect the closest classification would be Herbert 697. Physical Condition: Sound period calf binding with expected wear Text generally clean with age-toning Margins intact with no modern facsimile leaves observed Evidence of long family use Manuscript inscriptions to preliminaries and rear A well-preserved, honest working Bible rather than a modern collector’s assembly. History of This Bible: This book is not merely an early KJV it is a documented family artefact with a traceable life in Sheffield and Manchester . Originally printed as a London Old Testament in the late 1620s, the volume was later united with a 1666 Cambridge New Testament, almost certainly in the early 18th century. The absence of Apocrypha reflects the religious culture of northern England, where many households preferred a strictly canonical text. The binding and inscriptions suggest the book remained in active devotional use for generations before becoming the subject of a formal transaction in 1771 , recorded in an extraordinary manuscript deed written directly into the volume. This transformation from separate 17th-century printings to an 18th-century family Bible mirrors exactly how English Bibles were lived with, repaired, and handed down. Far from diminishing its importance, this layered history gives the book exceptional social interest. Transcription & Family Provenance: Manuscript Deed, dated March 1771 (verbatim) This agreement is Made the Day of March in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy one Between James Hall of Sheffield Cutler and Elizabeth his Wife of the one part and Thomas Williams of Manchester Fustian Manufacturer of the other part Witnesseth That for and in Consideration of the Sum of Twenty Pounds of lawful money of Great Britain to them the said James Hall and Elizabeth his Wife in hand well and truly paid by the said Thomas Williams… They the said James Hall and Elizabeth his Wife have bargained sold assigned transferred and set over… one Bible commonly called the Holy Bible… To Have and to Hold the said Bible… unto the said Thomas Williams his Executors Administrators and Assigns for ever. In witness whereof the said parties have hereunto set their Hands and Seals the day and year first above written James Hall Elizabeth Hall Earlier Ownership Marks “ Williams Sheffield ” “ Ben Williams ” “ Manchester ” This document proves the Bible’s presence in Sheffield and Manchester by the 18th century and identifies specific owners: James Hall , Sheffield cutler Elizabeth Hall , his wife Thomas Williams , Manchester fustian manufacturer The stated price of £20 a very substantial sum shows the book was valued as a significant family possession rather than an ordinary household object. Significance: Authentic 1628 KJV text , among the earliest generations after 1611 1666 Cambridge NT from the year of the Great Fire Likely rebound in the 1700s Exceptional primary provenance through a dated legal deed A rare witness to how real English families preserved and transmitted their Bibles This volume offers not only early Scripture but a vivid biography of ownership across more than three centuries a compelling artefact of English religious and social history.
Item arrived much better than described and is such a privilege to own, ty as this probably cost you more to send than I paid (honestly, I expected the item to be of much, much poorer quality for the prise!), well packaged and shipped fast. would encourage anyone to buy from this person! A +++
Couldn't be happier! Very fast shipping from the UK. Packaged well and all arrived in great shape. Exactly as described at a very fair price. I will put them in Pride of Place in my library. Thanks much! 5*
Beautiful! A piece of history in great condition for being 250 years old. Fast shipping with tracking was very helpful. Very pleased with kind and fast service.
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