Genre

Religious & Spiritual

Format

Leather

Title

The New Testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

**More information available on request** Importance: “The aim of those who produced King James's, or the Authorized, Version of the Bible was not to produce a new translation, but to make a good one better. It was a continuation, a refinement, a synthesis of all that had gone before. The greatest monument of English prose, no book has had greater influence on the English language or on the character of English-speaking people…” (Thomas, Alan G. Great Books and Book Collectors. Spring Books, 1988, p. 110.) The early history of the historical stand-alone King James New Testaments starts with the printing of the first duodecimo format in 1611 (Herbert 310), which was the first single column printed, with only 3 copies in a private collection and 3 recorded institutional holdings. Finally, the printing of the first quarto format in 1612 (Herbert 318), which was the second single column printed. The quarto in particular is said to have been printed under the direction of Lancelot Andrews (1555 to 1626), at the proposal of King James I (1566 to 1625), within a few months after the famous 1611 HE folio King James Bible was printed (Herbert 309). The folio was printed in double column and restricted to the pulpits of the English churches by chain, along with its enormous format and weight, to prevent theft. Brake-Hellstern 2017 worldwide census indicates there are 198 copies of these folios, and auction records show a complete folio was last sold in 2016 for $396,500. New Testaments focused on the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, while at the same time eliminating the extra bulk of having an Old Testament. New Testaments like the 1557 Geneva in octavo format (Herbert 106) offered copious summaries and marginal references with commentaries, while the 1612 King James in quarto format was more barebones and stayed so with other editions. The quarto was the perfect format and weight for personal reading and study while traveling, with its large Black letter type ideal for the older eyes or people with visual impairments, and its layout in single column for a smoother reading experience of the Word of God, unlike what the dictionary style (the traditional double columns) offered. The copy presented here is far more rarer than the 1611 HE folio King James Bible, and is offered for way less than what a folio typically would sell for at retail price. Binding: Quarto (7.4375” x 5.625” x 1.375”). 1 lb 10 oz. 19th c. blind and gilt tooled full fine black morocco leather binding with a.e.g. Spine with five raised bands, and six compartments with blind double-filleted borders. Second and third compartments with gilt-lettered title in capitals NEW TESTAMENT and LONDON 1612. Boards with blind double-filleted borders and turn-ins, with single-filleted edges. 19th c. plain endpapers. Rubbed (tail front joint cracked). Provenance: Verso and recto of title page inscribed Henry Hole his book. Initially believed to have been owned by James Blyth (1839 to 1906), a Scottish electrical engineer who created the world’s first wind powered generator. But research indicates it was owned by another Scottish man named James Blyth during the 19th c. The Armorial bookplate to the front pastedown reads James Blyth with Persevere as his motto, the impaled arms indicate his wife’s maiden name was Scot or Scott not Taylor. The possession of this book by someone with the motto Persevere adds a unique and mysterious element, implying a strength of will and resilience that likely shaped their life and encounters. Collation & Notes: NT has [2], 686 pp: A-Z8 ([A1r] T.P.), Aa-Uu8 (ends Uu8v). Total [344] ff or (688 p.) Complete, with an original title page. Horizontal chain lines. (19th c.) modern laid plain endpapers & fly-leaves. Darlow & Moule 245. Herbert 318. USTC (contact info removed), records 18 copies worldwide (U.K. 9, U.S. 6, & elsewhere 3). STC 2910. ESTC S90983. WorldCat records 2 copies. OCLC records 1 copy. Auction records show only 1 copy in 2010. The 1612 NT in quarto is a close reprint of the 1611 NT in folio, while correcting obvious mistakes that were made in the 1611 like Mark VII. 4 a marginal note. It has been observed that in every case, except Luke X. 36, the 1612 agrees with the 1611 folio edition over the 1613/1611 folio edition. John XIX. 19 misprinted tile not title. Condition: Leaves (about 7.1875” x 5.125”). Minimally stained. Slightly browned. Few minor tears & old mendings. S6-Z3 minor inner worming. S6 (.1875”) rust hole costing 3 letters verso. Headlines, notes, texts lower line, & direction lines (varies) cut with slight loss.

Special Attributes

1st edition