Very Rare 1817 Fifth edition American Bible Society Holy Bible.The Holy Bible Containing the Old and New Testaments Translated Out of the Original Tongues and with the Former Translations Diligently Compared and Revised. Stereotyped by D. and G. Bruce, printed in the second year of the formation of the American Bible society. At the time of this ABS's creation, Francis Scott Key would have been the sitting Vice President of the organization.The Massachusetts Bible Society at the time was led by John Quincy Adams. The leather shows significant wear, and the pages have some browning and foxing throughout. Both the front and rear cover hinge have separated mostly. This is an opportunity to own a museum grade Bible of great rarity, with wonderful American history connections. The American Bible Society was founded in May 1816 “to encourage the wider circulation of the Holy Scriptures without note or comment,” using “the version now in common use.” Managers of the new organization felt that their first exertions ought to be directed toward the procurement of well-executed stereotype plates, for accommodation of large areas of the American continent. They accordingly contracted for three sets of stereotype plates of duodecimo size and three sets of octavo size for the English Bible to be ready in the spring of 1817. During in interim when the plates were in preparation, the New York Bible Society, which was founded in 1809, and the New York Auxiliary Bible Society united in presenting the American Bible Society which the stereotype plates of a duodecimo size Bible in brevier type which they had had made with funds contributed by other societies and individuals in different parts of the country. The ABS printed its first edition of 10,000 copies from these plates. It was issued in November 1816.This rare book is being sold as found. The last page is in Job, so the whole Bible is not there. Ron Bever Books Ron sold books in Edmond, Oklahoma, for most of his life. He specialized in Restoration Christianity History and Rare Books. After his passing in 2022, I have been selling his collection for his widow, Doris, in honor of Ron's work. #HS 003