Overview:
Date: 1769–1771
Printer: John Baskerville
Place: Birmingham, England
Language: English
Translation: King James / Authorized Version
Format: Folio
References: Herbert 1210
Illustrations: Complete suite of 10 full-page engravings, 8 bound and 2 loose
Binding: Early full calf
A substantial folio edition of the King James Bible printed by John Baskerville at Birmingham, with the general title dated 1769 and the separate New Testament title dated 1771. This is Baskerville's second great folio Bible, following his celebrated Cambridge Bible of 1763, and is recorded as Herbert 1210 and Gaskell 35. The 1769 general title represents the earlier state, with remaining copies subsequently issued with a newly dated 1772 title page.
John Baskerville and the Printing
John Baskerville (1706–1775) was one of the most important English printers and type designers of the eighteenth century. His work is particularly admired for its exceptionally clear typography, generous spacing, high-quality paper and restrained page design.
This Bible demonstrates Baskerville's approach particularly well. The biblical text is printed in two columns in his distinctive type, accompanied by annotations and chronological references. The edition was originally issued in parts beginning in 1769, with the New Testament title dated 1771.
The Engravings
An especially desirable feature of this copy is the presence of the complete suite of ten full-page engraved illustrations associated with the edition.
Eight engravings remain bound within the Bible, while two are disbound but present. The plates depict biblical scenes within elaborate ornamental frames, accompanied by scriptural references and captions. They remain generally well preserved with strong impressions and generous margins.
Copies of this edition are frequently encountered with some or all of the engravings absent, making the survival of the complete suite particularly noteworthy.
Contents
The volume contains the Old Testament, Apocrypha and New Testament, together with supplementary material including the chronological "Index to the Transactions in the Holy Bible."
Both principal title pages are present:
General title:
The Holy Bible, Containing the Old Testament and the New; with the Apocrypha: Translated out of the Original Tongues; with Annotations.
Birmingham: Printed by John Baskerville, 1769.
New Testament:
The New Testament of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Translated out of the Original Tongues; with Annotations.
Birmingham: Printed by John Baskerville, 1771.
Bibliographical references: Herbert 1210; Gaskell 35.
Provenance
An early manuscript inscription records the birth of Sophia Wheeler on 17 March 1769, coincidentally the same year appearing on the Bible's general title.
The inscription is accompanied by passages copied from Ecclesiastes 9, including the well-known lines concerning doing "whatsoever thy hand findeth to do" and the observation that "the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong."
The inscription provides an attractive element of early family provenance, although the handwriting itself cannot presently be dated precisely to 1769.
Binding and Condition
Bound in an early, likely contemporary, full calf binding, decorated with blind-ruled and tooled panels to the boards and raised bands to the spine.
The binding is heavily worn, with rubbing, scuffing and losses to the leather, particularly around the spine and extremities. The boards and joints show considerable age-related wear.
Internally the volume presents considerably better. The text is generally clean and legible with expected age toning, occasional spotting, staining, handling marks and other signs of use. The engraved plates retain good impressions. All ten engravings are present, eight bound in and two loose/disbound. Both the 1769 general title and 1771 New Testament title are present.
An imposing example of one of the great eighteenth-century English Bibles, retaining the complete engraved illustration suite and its early binding.
Dimensions:
- Weight - 6.07kg
- Height - 43cm
- Width - 28cm
- Thickness - 9cm
