1615 Quarto Illustrated Geneva Bible

[The Bible: Translated according to the Ebrew and Greeke, and conferred with the best translations in divers languages. With most profitable annotations…]

Summary

An illustrated Roman font Geneva Bible. A nicely rebacked copy of the last illustrated quarto Breeches Bible printed in England.

Description

Two preliminary leaves present. The general title page is lacking. Text in two column Roman font. With Apocrypha as issued. Complete set of 33 in-text woodcut illustrations and maps. New Testament title page (1615) engraved within woodcut border comprising twenty-four compartments showing the tents of the twelve tribes as well as the figures of the twelve apostles. Title is enclosed within a heart-shaped frame. Ends on colophon (1615). Bound with The Psalms of David in Meter printed by Gedeon Lithgow (1655) surrounded by an architectural border. Woodcut first chapter initials, colophons, and decorative head and tailpieces throughout.

Collation

[par]^4 (-[par]1-2), A-Z^8, &^6, Aa-Zz^8, &&^8, **^4, Aaa-Qqq^8, Rrr^4. Lacks two prelims including title page.  

Binding

Rebacked and recornered contemporary paneled calf. Covers retaining contemporary calf over boards with a rectangular center surrounded by triangles and blind-rolled borders. Spine with five gilt-lined raised bands and a red morocco label with the words “Holy Bible” lettered in gilt. Rear endpaper renewed. Front hinge reinforced with book tape.  

Condition

Some staining and soiling, mostly to margins; F4, K8, Qq8 short closed marginal tears; light upper stain in portions of the Old Testament; Ll6-8 closed tear to upper inner column without loss; Mm7 tear with loss of a few letters; New Testament title page repaired and reinforced to upper edge with loss to one small compartment;. Seven leaves with marginal loss; Title to Psalter frayed with loss to edges and one closed tear; final leaves of Psalter frayed with loss.

Provenance

Eighteenth century family records of the Muir family on verso of final leaf of Job and Malachi. Additional notes on verso of NT title page.

Note

Apparently the last illustrated quarto Geneva Bible printed in England. King James would ban the English printing of the Geneva Bible in 1616. This ban led to the clandestine importations of Geneva Bibles from the continent by the 1630s to meet the still-growing demand of copies throughout England.

References

Herbert 342; STC 2239.