Bible in English [The Great Bible, 2nd Edition]

Estimate

18,000 - 25,000 USD

bidding is closed

Description

The Byble in Englyshe, That Is To Saye the Conte[n]t of Al [sic] the Holy Scrypture, Both of ye Olde, and Newe Testame[n]t, with a Prologe Therinto, Made by the Reverende Father in God, Thomas Archbysshop of Cantobury. This is the Byble Apoynted to the Use of the Churches. [London]: Printed by Edward Whytchurche, 1540
paper, ink, leather

5 parts in one volume, folio (15 1/2 x 10 1/2 in.; 393 x 267 mm). Each part with separate register and foliation, black letter, text in 2 columns with 62 lines to the column, divisional titles for Parts 2–3 only printed in red and black within borders composed of 16 woodcuts, woodcut text illustrations, several fine 12-line calligraphic woodcut initials, 4 large 18-line woodcut initials, numerous others; lacking quires * (6 leaves, including general title) and Q (4 leaves including one blank), divisional titles to the Hagiographa and New Testament (Aaa1, Aa1), Mm8, Nn1–3 and 8, [Maltese cross]1–3 supplied from July issue and Mm4–5 from 1539 edition (according to Quaritch), quires G and RR possibly supplied from another copy but from April issue according to Quaritch (G loosely laid in), partially closed tears cutting substantially into text (f6, D6, HH2, Aa4, Ii7–8), repair to HH2 in lower margin with some text supplied in pen facsimile, Aa4 extended with 8 lines partially supplied in pen facsimile, Bb4 and Mm7 defective costing approximately 15 lines of text, other minor marginal repairs to margins and corners with some affecting catchwords or sidenotes, a few ink streaks and stains, occasional discoloration. Eighteenth-century tree calf; rebacked, headbands broken, text block cracked at quire G.

Provenance

Thomas Browne (early signatures on several leaves) — Captain Pat. Hunter (armorial bookplate) — Bernard Quaritch (collation sheet with notes loosely laid in)

Literature

STC 2070; ESTC S121498; Herbert 53

Catalogue Note

The second edition of the Great Bible, the earliest containing Cranmer's Prologue, and bearing on the first title the words "This is the Byble apoynted to the use of the churches." This edition represents Coverdale's continued revision-work on the text of the Bible, and shows the further influence of Munster's Latin OT, especially in the Prophets, and of Erasmus in the NT" (Herbert).