Harper Illuminated Bible:
A Remarkable American Production
The engraver Joseph Adams (1803-1880) began the most innovative of all American Bibles. He convinced the Harper and Brothers publishers to take on ‘the most splendidly elegant edition of the Sacred Record ever issued.’ It was originally announced in 1843, and printed in magazines in 54 issues for 25 cents each. The 1846 Harper Bible had an initial subscriber list of 50,000. Once all issues were released, subscribers could have them bound together into one volume. For an extra cost, the owner could have their name and a picture of their church engraved on the cover. The finished product includes over 1600 historical engravings and in-line illustrations.
The owner of this Harper Illuminated Bible had a picture of their church (Trinity Church in New York City) engraved onto the cover.
Adams is credited with having taken the first electrotype in America from a woodcut. Many illustrations in this Bible are done this way. Artists were engaged for more than six years in the preparation of the designs and engravings included in this Bible, at a cost of over $20,000, a small fortune in those days. "This Harper publication was a remarkable production in its time and place, and retains its importance in the annals of American bookmaking. W.J. Linton, noted wood-engraver and author, knew 'no other book like this, so good, so perfect in all its undertakes.' The illustrations are like picturings of history, as are so many of the old European Biblical paintings and illustrations." [Hill's catalogue #1161]
