Remarkably well preserved (no doubt thanks to custom-made
slipcases), massive (over 40 lbs) at 15” tall, 12” across and 8” thick, two-volume
Cassell, Petter and Galpin c.1870 edition of THE HOLY BIBLE (including Apocrypha
and New Testament) complete with all 238 full-page Gustave
Dore engravings throughout. Lot includes the sturdy slipcases of glazed red cloth over quarter inch boards.
The two volumes are uniformly bound in black Morocco with deep mauve
pebble-cloth boards with spines of finely tooled leather
divided into six compartments detailed in gold leaf separated by five raised bands. Large pages are thick (seems like 32 lb stock), endpapers marbled, and text-block edges fully gilded in gold. Simply stunning!
The Apocrypha includes four leaves for Family Register, Marriages, Births and Deaths, each with decorative border. V.1 contents include Genesis to Solomon's Song; V.2 includes Isaiah to Revelation plus Apocrypha and New Testament.
This is the most impressive 19th Century Dore Bible we've seen.
All four joints are tight, sturdy and sound. Neither volume has any tears, staining, writing or material wear or losses. Surface of V.1 leather spine shows minimal cosmetic stresses, while both V.1 and V.2 have minor chipping to the exterior spine surface (see photos). Both volumes have minor foxing to title, front free pages and some of the blank pages facing plates; otherwise, interiors, marbled end-papers and gilt text block edges are bright, crisp and clean.
Buyers not located in the US: Please contact us with your location in order to receive a shipping quote. US buyers, actual shipping with insurance is about $65, but eBay limits the stated shipping to $25, so the $40 difference will be added to the invoice as an extra fee.