1619 KING JAMES BIBLE
Description
Offered is an exceptionally early King James Bible printed in London in 1619 by Bonham Norton and John Bill, the King's Printers. Printed only eight years after the first King James Version of 1611, this Bible represents one of the earliest generations of the Authorized Version and survives in remarkably complete condition.
The title page bears the imprint:
"Imprinted at London by Bonham Norton and John Bill. 1619."
This copy retains the features most sought after by collectors and institutions, including:
- Engraved Old Testament title page
- New Testament title page
- Apocrypha
- Genealogical tables
- Translators' dedication to King James I
- Sternhold & Hopkins metrical Psalms
- Final leaf of Revelation
- Early black-letter (Gothic) typography throughout
The volume appears substantially complete and, to the best of the owner's knowledge, contains no facsimile leaves, photographic replacements, or supplied pages. The genealogy section is present, though it may lack a separate genealogy title leaf.
The Bible is housed in a later binding, typical of surviving examples that have been preserved and rebound during their four centuries of existence.
Historical Significance
This Bible was printed during the reign of King James I of England (1566–1625), one of the most consequential periods in English religious and political history.
The King James Bible had first appeared in 1611 after years of scholarly translation commissioned by the king. Its purpose was to provide a unified English Bible for use throughout the kingdom. Within a generation it became the dominant English translation and would go on to influence religion, literature, law, politics, and the English language itself.
When this Bible was printed in 1619:
- The Pilgrims had not yet sailed aboard the Mayflower (1620).
- Jamestown, Virginia, was still a young English colony.
- Europe stood on the brink of the Thirty Years' War.
- King James I occupied the English throne.
- Printing was still performed on hand-operated presses using individually set pieces of type.
Every page of this volume was produced by hand, one sheet at a time, by craftsmen working in London over four centuries ago.
The Bible is a Herbert 367
Condition:
Notable points include:
- Old Testament title page present
- New Testament title page present
- Genealogies present
- Apocrypha present
- Psalms present
- Final leaf of Revelation present
- No known facsimile or replacement leaves
- Expected age toning, wear, and handling
- Modern rebind
- Minor edge wear and occasional imperfections consistent with age
Summary
A rare and historically important 1619 King James Bible, printed by Bonham Norton and John Bill, retaining its major title pages, Apocrypha, genealogies, Psalms, and final Revelation leaf. Printed only eight years after the first Authorized Version and surviving in substantially complete condition, this volume represents a remarkable survivor from the early seventeenth century and an important witness to the history of the English Bible.
Printed: London, 1619
Printers: Bonham Norton & John Bill
Language: English
Translation: King James Version (Authorized Version)
Contents: Old Testament, Apocrypha, New Testament, Genealogies, Psalms
Dimensions:
Weight - 1.66kg
Height - 23cm
Width - 17.5cm
Thickness - 7cm
