Bible in English [Taverner's Version]

Estimate

15,000 - 20,000 USD

bidding is closed

Description

The Most Sacred Bible, Whiche is the Holy Scripture, Conteyning the Old and New Testament, Translated into English ... by Richard Taverner. London: John Bydell for Thomas Barthlet, 1539
paper, ink, leather

Folio (11 x 7 1/2 in.; 279 x 191 mm). Division titles for the Prophets and Apocrypha, and dated title-page for the New Testament, all with separate foliation, black letter, double column text; [1 pointed finger]1–2 (title-page and dedication) in facsimile, lacking 8 other preliminary leaves, Old Testament lacking 24 leaves and 34 leaves in the New Testament with R2–8 supplied in facsimile, others possibly supplied from another copy (or copies), several leaves remargined with substantial loss of text (B3–4, M2, FF6, ²N2–6), about 30 corners renewed with some loss of text, a hole in Bb6 costing text in 3 lines, scorch mark on Ll6 slightly obscuring text, a few closed long tears affecting text, some headlines and sidenotes shaved or cropped with some loss, some soiling, discoloration, and fraying, numerous marginal repairs with cellotape. Old leather, edged in brass; worn and rebacked, lacking clasps.

Provenance

Richard Skete (contemporary inscription and pen trials on AA1) — R. ?E. Ford, Bedford, 1950 (inscription on front flyleaf). acquisition: Sotheby's London, 21–22 July 1992, lot 294

Literature

Formatting the Word of God 8.5; STC 2067; ESTC S106968; Herbert 45

Catalogue Note

First edition of Taverner's Bible. The author, Richard Taverner, aimed at "compression and vividness" in this revision, and did not hesitate to coin new words . "Many marginal notes are omitted, and some new comments added ... he introduced parable, passover and a few other terms still in use" (Herbert) such as "spokesman" for "advocate" in Greek, and "commytteth aduoutry" for "breaking wedlocke."

Sold with all faults, not subject to return.