{"product_id":"1795-killer-bible-thomas-bensley-illustrated-kjv-three-volumes","title":"1795 Killer Bible, Thomas Bensley, Illustrated KJV, Three Volumes","description":"\u003ch1 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOverview:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTitle:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The Holy Bible, Ornamented with Engravings from Celebrated Pictures by Old Masters\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDate:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1795\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrinter:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Thomas Bensley, London\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Robert Bowyer, London\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEngraver:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e James Fittler and others\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTranslation:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e King James Version\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEdition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Bowyer-Fittler Bible, also known as the Cabinet Bible or Killer Bible\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFormat:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Three volumes\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBinding:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Red straight-grain leather with gilt decoration and marbled page edges\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBibliographical Reference:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Herbert 1394\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eContains famous \"They shall be killed\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn attractive and richly illustrated three-volume edition of the King James Bible, published in London in 1795 and printed by the celebrated Thomas Bensley.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommonly known as the \"Killer Bible\", this edition contains one of the most notorious printing errors in the history of the English Bible. In Mark 7:27, the text mistakenly reads:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"Let the children first be killed\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRather than the intended:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\"Let the children first be filled\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis extraordinary typographical error has earned the edition its memorable nickname and made it a particularly interesting example of eighteenth-century biblical printing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBeyond its famous misprint, the Bowyer-Fittler Bible is distinguished by its elaborate engravings after celebrated European Old Masters, decorative engraved titles, and illustrated contents pages.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe present example is bound in three matching volumes of red straight-grain leather, with gilt-decorated spines and marbled page edges. An early ownership inscription dated 1803 adds further historical interest.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn appealing addition to any collection of rare Bibles, eighteenth-century printing, or illustrated religious literature.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Famous Killer Bible\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe history of the English Bible is filled with remarkable printing errors, several of which became sufficiently notorious to give entire editions distinctive nicknames.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmong the best-known examples are the Wicked Bible of 1631, which omitted the word \"not\" from the Seventh Commandment, and the Vinegar Bible of 1717, which famously misprinted the heading of the Parable of the Vineyard.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Killer Bible belongs to this unusual tradition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrinted in 1795, the present edition contains the extraordinary substitution of \"killed\" for \"filled\" in Mark 7:27.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe verse records Christ's response to the Syrophoenician woman who sought healing for her daughter. The printing error dramatically alters the meaning of the passage, transforming a statement concerning the feeding of children into something considerably more sinister.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe error is clearly present in this copy and provides a fascinating illustration of the challenges associated with producing substantial printed works before modern proofreading and printing technologies.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Bowyer-Fittler Bible\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePublished in London in 1795, the Bowyer-Fittler Bible represents an ambitious attempt to combine the traditional text of the King James Bible with the artistic accomplishments of European painting and engraving.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe publication was associated with Robert Bowyer, an important London publisher and print seller known for producing elaborate illustrated works.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe biblical text was printed by Thomas Bensley, one of the notable English printers of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJames Fittler, an accomplished English engraver, contributed to the publication's extensive illustrative programme.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUnlike more conventional eighteenth-century Bibles, which often relied upon relatively simple decorative elements, this edition incorporated numerous engraved illustrations inspired by celebrated works of art.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe result was a Bible intended not merely for religious reading but also as a substantial artistic and literary publication.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThomas Bensley and the Art of Printing\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThomas Bensley (1759–1835) was an important figure in the development of fine printing in Britain.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWorking during a period of considerable advancement in English book production, Bensley became associated with numerous prestigious publications, including illustrated books and works requiring particularly careful typography.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHis printing business was recognised for its technical capabilities and its involvement in the production of finely executed books.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Bowyer-Fittler Bible is an example of this tradition, combining carefully arranged letterpress typography with elaborate engraved illustrations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIts production reflects the growing market for luxurious illustrated publications among Britain's educated and affluent readers during the late Georgian period.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Engravings\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOne of the most attractive features of this edition is its extensive use of copperplate engravings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe illustrations reproduce biblical scenes inspired by the compositions of celebrated European artists, accompanied by decorative engraved contents pages.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmong the subjects illustrated in the present set are:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Expulsion from Paradise.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMoses as an infant.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJacob Wrestling with the Angel.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScenes from the books of Genesis and Exodus.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEvents from the life of Christ.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Revelation of St John.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe engraved title pages feature elaborate calligraphic lettering, while the illustrated contents pages combine biblical scenes with finely executed decorative typography.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThese engravings provide an excellent example of the artistic ambitions of late eighteenth-century biblical publishing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHistorical Context: Britain in 1795\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis Bible was published during a particularly turbulent period in European history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn 1795, Britain was engaged in the French Revolutionary Wars, as the political upheaval following the French Revolution continued to reshape Europe.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKing George III occupied the British throne, while William Pitt the Younger served as Prime Minister.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Industrial Revolution was transforming British manufacturing, commerce, and society, while improvements in printing and engraving were making increasingly elaborate publications possible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReligious literature remained central to British intellectual and cultural life, and the King James Bible continued to occupy an important position in English-speaking Protestant society.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Bowyer-Fittler Bible reflects this period of artistic and technological development, combining a traditional biblical text with the increasingly sophisticated methods of late Georgian book production.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvenance\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn early handwritten ownership inscription, dated 29 June 1803, is present.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe inscription appears to bear the surname Cornwallis, although the precise reading of the owner's name requires further verification.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis inscription demonstrates ownership of the Bible within approximately eight years of its stated publication date.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition and Binding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Bible is presented in three matching volumes, bound in attractive red straight-grain leather.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe spines feature gilt lettering reading \"BIBLE\", decorative horizontal gilt rules, and gilt volume numbers.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe boards are finished with gilt borders, while the page edges retain decorative marbling.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe bindings exhibit age-related wear, including rubbing and scuffing to the leather, particularly along the spines, corners, and extremities. Areas of surface wear and loss of colour are visible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe boards remain attractive overall, retaining much of their original decorative character.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInternally, the text is generally clean and legible, with occasional foxing, spotting, staining, and age-related discolouration.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome engraved plates exhibit scattered foxing, while occasional leaves show minor creasing or edge wear.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere is some visible separation within the text block of the third volume.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe famous Killer Bible printing error is present in Mark 7:27.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAn attractive and historically fascinating example of eighteenth-century English biblical printing, combining the notorious Killer Bible misprint with an elaborate programme of engravings and handsome period-style bindings.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions (Of all three):\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight - 3.95kg\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeight - 25cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWidth - 16.7cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThickness - 13.8cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Momo Rare Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55614929600851,"sku":null,"price":1400.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0953\/9187\/5411\/files\/IMG_9743.jpg?v=1793029629","url":"https:\/\/www.momorarebooks.co.uk\/products\/1795-killer-bible-thomas-bensley-illustrated-kjv-three-volumes","provider":"Momo Rare Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}