1611 King James Bible – 1634 the Fourth in the Series of 59-line Folios

The Holy Bible: containing the Old Testament, and the New. Newly translated out of the originall Tongues: And with the former Translations diligently compared and revised, by his Majesties Speciall commandement.

Summary

The fourth distinct folio edition of the 1611 King James Bible with 59-lines to the column. Complete preliminaries with Calendar printed in red and black. Both engraved titles present, with the general title in expert facsimile. The Bible text is complete, and each chapter begins with a woodcut initial. A rare copy of the book that is considered the crowning jewel of English Bible versions and among the most important books published in English.

Description

General title page (1634) in expert facsimile with woodcut featuring the Tetragrammaton above, the Agnus Dei and the Holy Dove, with Matthew and Mark on either side; on the left side are the tents of the twelve tribes and on the right side the twelve apostles; below the letterpress are the Lamb slain along with Luke and John and a the bottom a tablet with the word Cum Privilegio. Preliminaries include the Translators to the Reader (11 pp.); Kalendar in red and black (6 ff.); Almanack (1 p.) in red and black; The Table and Kalendar Expressing the order of the Psalms and Lessons… (5 pp.); The Names of all the Books… in red and black (1 pp.). This copy was issued without the Genealogies and the double page Map as was typical in the fourth folio. Text in double column black letter. Presented within ruled border and 59 lines to the column. Each chapter begins with a woodcut first initial. Headlines, chapter contents, marginal references, and words not in the original, are printed in italics. New Testament title page (1634) present and similar woodcut design as the general title page. Many headpieces, vignettes, and decorated initials throughout.

Collation

A^4, B^4, C^6, D^4, A-Z^6, Aa-Zz^6, Aaa-Zzz^6, Aaaa-Zzzz^6, Aaaaa-Zzzzz^6, Aaaaaa-Dddddd^6. 732 ff. Complete.

Binding

Professionally rebacked in light brown mottled calf with the original calf and metal hardware. Covers with blind roll-tooled centerpiece design featuring two metal lozenge panels and metal corners. One corner piece on the rear panel perished. Spine with five raised blind tooled bands. Compartments with blind tooled stamp design. Two red gilt ruled labels with the words “Holy Bible” and “1634.” New plain endpapers.

Condition

Thick paper with good margins and minimal staining; numerous creased corners, primarily to tail and within the margin; Zzzzz3-4 outer column repaired at tail with loss of a few verses; Bbbbbb1-2 (James 1) corners repaired at foot with loss of a few words; around 20 leaves with professional repair to bottom margin.

An excellent copy of a rare King James Bible, difficult to secure in original boards with furniture.

References

Herbert 487; STC 2312.