1616 Folio Geneva Bible with Double-Page Map

The Bible: That is, the Holy Scriptures contained in the Old and New Testament.

Summary

An illustrated black letter Breeches Bible with the Genealogies and the double page map of Canaan. Skillfully rebacked with contemporary covers and spine persevered and bound with the BCP and Psalter.

Description

General title page (1616) resembling that used in the 1583 folio with four cherubim and the book inscribed Verbum Dei. The Genealogies (n.d.) with title page in ornamental border by J[ohn] S[peed], ending with the sought-after double-page map of Canaan. The full-page engraving of Adam and Eve in the Garden faces the beginning of Genesis. Text in two column black letter with sixty-four lines to the column. Complete set of Geneva illustrations and maps. Apocrypha included as issued. Printed New Testament title page (1616). Ends on colophon (1616). Bound with The Book of Common Prayer which lacks the title page and inserted after the Bible text. Ends with The Whole Book of Psalmes by Sternhold and Hopkins with title page (1624). First chapter woodcut initials, head- and tailpieces throughout.

Collation

A^4, A-Z^6 (-G1), Aa-Zz^6, Aaa-Lll^6, Mmm-Ooo^8, Ppp-Zzz^6, Aaaa-Zzzz^6, Aaaaa-Eeeee^6, Ffff^4. Lacks G1 (Exodus 30).

Binding

Rebacked black goatskin with contemporary covers and spine preserved. Covers with all-over design using blind lines and drawer handle tools inside concentric panels. Spine with five raised bands and blind-stamped fleurons. The words “Holy Bible” and “1616” letters in gilt to top board and spine. Later marbled endpapers. All edges red.

Condition

Lightly rubbed; General title creased with upper border slightly reduced; Map with one two-inch closed tear strengthened to recto; A4 of prelims lower corner repaired with loss to bottom border of Adam and Eve engraving; F2 closed tear into text without loss; K6 lower corner repaired with loss to a couple of lines of sidenotes; Mmm1 hole to center of inner column with loss of a verse; NT title mounted on thick paper with some ink bleeding through; three marginal tears; Title page to the Whole Book of Psalmes mounted on thick paper. The Psalter with upper edge stained, fore-edge partly repaired, and lacking the final four leaves. An attractive copy overall with clean text and good margins.

References

Herbert 348; ESTC S1792.