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1535 Coverdale Bible Leaf W/ California Book Club Presentation Folio NO.145/450
1535 Coverdale Bible Leaf W/ California Book Club Presentation Folio NO.145/450
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A Leaf from the First Edition of the First Complete Bible in English: The Coverdale Bible (1535)
Book Club of California Limited Edition Publication, 1974 – Contains an Original 16th-Century Coverdale Bible Leaf
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Description
Offered is a scarce and highly collectible Book Club of California limited-edition publication, A Leaf from the First Edition of the First Complete Bible in English: The Coverdale Bible, 1535, published in San Francisco in 1974.
This handsome folio volume contains an original leaf from the historic 1535 Coverdale Bible, one of the foundational monuments of English-language printing and biblical translation. The leaf is professionally mounted and accompanied by an extensive historical introduction by Allen P. Wikgren, along with a census of surviving copies recorded in the British Isles and North America.
The colophon states that only 425 copies of this publication were printed for members of the Book Club of California.
The Original Coverdale Bible Leaf
The included original leaf appears to contain the conclusion of 2 Samuel (The Second Book of Kings) and the beginning of 1 Kings (The Third Book of Kings).
Visible text includes:
“The ende of the seconde boke of the kynges, otherwise called the seconde boke of Samuel.”
followed by:
“The thyrde boke of the kynges.”
The leaf displays the distinctive blackletter typography, spelling, and layout characteristic of the earliest English printed Bibles.
Condition of the leaf appears very good for a document approaching five centuries of age, with expected toning, edge wear, and handling consistent with sixteenth-century handmade paper.
About the Coverdale Bible
Published in 1535, the Coverdale Bible was the first complete printed Bible in the English language. Translated and edited by Miles Coverdale, it represents one of the most important milestones of the English Reformation and the development of the English Bible.
While earlier English biblical translations existed, including the work of William Tyndale, Coverdale's edition was the first to present the entire Bible in printed English. It became the foundation upon which later English Bibles, including the Great Bible, the Bishops’ Bible, and ultimately the King James Version, were built.
Complete copies of the 1535 Coverdale Bible are among the rarest and most desirable books in private and institutional collections, making original leaves increasingly sought after by collectors of early printing, Reformation history, and biblical antiquities.
About the Book Club of California Edition
Founded in 1912, the Book Club of California is one of America's most respected bibliophile societies, known for producing scholarly and beautifully printed limited editions focused on the history of books, printing, exploration, and the American West.
In 1974, the Club issued this publication as Publication No. 145, combining scholarly research with an original sixteenth-century Bible leaf. The volume includes an introduction by noted bibliographer Allen P. Wikgren and a census documenting known surviving copies of the 1535 Coverdale Bible in Britain and North America.
The colophon records that only 425 copies were printed by Lawton and Alfred Kennedy of San Francisco for distribution to members.
Condition
- Original Book Club of California folio volume.
- Contains mounted original Coverdale Bible leaf.
- Text block clean and bright.
- Binding sound.
- Slipcase present with expected wear, rubbing, and cracking from age and handling.
- Please review all photographs carefully for condition details.
Bibliographic Details
Title: A Leaf from the First Edition of the First Complete Bible in English: The Coverdale Bible, 1535
Author/Introduction: Allen P. Wikgren
Publisher: The Book Club of California, San Francisco
Year: 1974
Publication Number: 145
Limitation: One of 425 copies printed
Contents: Historical study, census of surviving copies, and an original 1535 Coverdale Bible leaf
Collector Appeal
An exceptional opportunity to acquire an authentic leaf from one of the most important books in the history of the English language, housed in a scholarly limited-edition publication from one of America's premier bibliophile societies. Ideal for collectors of early Bibles, Reformation history, rare books, fine printing, and the history of the English language.
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- Coverdale Bible
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1535 Coverdale Bible Original Leaf | First Complete English Bible | Miles Coverdale | Book Club of California Limited Edition
Rare Original Leaf from the 1535 Coverdale Bible, the First Complete Printed Bible in English
Offered is an original sixteenth-century leaf from the historic 1535 Coverdale Bible, preserved within the highly regarded 1974 Book Club of California limited-edition publication A Leaf from the First Edition of the First Complete Bible in English: The Coverdale Bible, 1535.
The Coverdale Bible occupies a central place in the history of the English language, biblical translation, and the Protestant Reformation. Produced under the direction of Miles Coverdale, it was the first complete Bible printed in English and served as a foundation for later English translations including the Great Bible and ultimately the King James Bible.
This volume contains a genuine original leaf from the 1535 edition, making it an exceptional artifact of early English printing and one of the most desirable categories of Bible leaves collected today.
Original 1535 Coverdale Bible Leaf
The included original leaf contains text from:
- The conclusion of 2 Samuel (Second Book of Kings)
- The opening of 1 Kings (Third Book of Kings)
Visible headings include:
"The ende of the seconde boke of the kynges, otherwise called the seconde boke of Samuel."
and
"The thyrde boke of the kynges."
The leaf exhibits classic sixteenth-century English blackletter typography, period spelling, and the distinctive appearance associated with the earliest printed English Bibles.
The transition between two biblical books adds historical and bibliographical interest, making this a particularly attractive example for collectors.
About the 1535 Coverdale Bible
The Coverdale Bible of 1535 is widely recognized as the first complete printed Bible in the English language.
Compiled and translated by Miles Coverdale (1488–1569) during the English Reformation, it brought the entire Scriptures into English at a pivotal moment in religious and cultural history.
The Coverdale Bible represents a landmark achievement in:
- English Bible translation
- Reformation history
- Early English printing
- Tudor history
- Development of the English language
Surviving complete copies are extraordinarily rare and reside primarily in major institutions and advanced private collections. Original leaves have become highly sought after by collectors of rare books, early printing, and biblical history.
About the Book Club of California Edition
Founded in 1912, the Book Club of California is among the most respected bibliophile organizations in the United States, known for producing finely printed scholarly editions and historical studies.
This publication was issued in 1974 as Book Club of California Publication No. 145 and includes:
- An original Coverdale Bible leaf
- Historical introduction by Allen P. Wikgren
- Census of surviving Coverdale Bible copies in Britain and North America
- Fine press production by Lawton and Alfred Kennedy, San Francisco
The limitation page states:
"425 copies of this book have been printed for the members of The Book Club of California."
Because of the small press run and inclusion of an authentic sixteenth-century Bible leaf, this edition remains one of the most desirable Book Club of California publications.
Condition
- Original Book Club of California limited-edition volume
- Contains genuine original Coverdale Bible leaf
- Text pages clean and well preserved
- Binding sound
- Presentation folio has tears on both the front and back cover.
- Please review photographs carefully for complete condition details
- Please see photos for verification.
Bibliographic Information
Title: A Leaf from the First Edition of the First Complete Bible in English: The Coverdale Bible, 1535
Introduction: Allen P. Wikgren
Publisher: The Book Club of California
Place: San Francisco
Year: 1974
Publication Number: 145
Limitation: 425 copies printed
Contents: Original 1535 Coverdale Bible leaf, historical study, and census of surviving copies
1535 Coverdale Bible, Original Bible Leaf, Miles Coverdale, First Complete English Bible, Rare Bible Leaf, Early English Printing, Blackletter Bible, Tudor England, Reformation History, Antique Bible Leaf, Book Club of California, Fine Press Book, Biblical Antiquities, Rare Religious Books, Old Testament Leaf, 1 Kings, 2 Samuel, English Reformation, Historic Bible Fragment, Collectible Bible Leaf
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