The "Pronouncing Edition"
of the Holy Bible
c1875
Chicago: G. W. Borland & Co.
The 1870s and 80s were the hey-day of the huge Pictorial Family Bible. These were a one-stop resource for all things Judeo-Christian. They were designed to be beautiful, reverential, and chock full of whatever Biblical knowledge and learning could be put between their heavy boards.
From the outside cover on, this edition packs a punch. Ornate gilt floral design & scrollwork decorate the panels on front & rear covers. Spine is gilt bottom to top. A foot tall, nearly 4" thick. Included are 1000+ illustrations, with many full-page steel engravings by masters like Gustave Dore. Many engravings in vivid full color, including lovely early chromolithographs. Includes Old Testament, New Testament, a complete illustrated Bible Dictionary, essays on Biblical topics, illustrations of Biblical scenery, a history of Biblical stories including the Tabernacle, the Parables of Jesus, tables, chronologies, Biblical stories for children, the Psalms in verse, Biblical analyses, and much more.
Family history section has entries for the Kern family of Canaan, Ohio. Family Photo section at back in excellent condition with no photos in it.
CONDITION
Binding: Fine Antiquarian. This Bible is gorgeous, intact, and strong. And rare! The leather gleams, the gilt on the cover and spine is radiant. Binding is all original!! No repairs, no re-coloring. All that has been done is some leather conditioning. Joints are amazing. Spine straight, spine head & tail original and still intact. Boards wonderfully bright & and solid, just slight typical shelfwear to corners. Remarkable binding.
Inside, Bible is complete including pastedowns, endpapers, and all plates / engravings / illuminations. Pages are lightly toned and in nice condition. Textblock is tightly bound, nothing loose. A few early pages show some edge chipping. Two internal pages with tape repairs. The colors of the plates are still extra vivid.
VALUATION
Family Bibles like this are always popular. They are inherently beautiful and incorporate some of the greatest printing technology of the age. This Bible is lovely, with binding still in remarkable condition. With care, it has generations of life left in it. I am starting it low and wishing you all Good Luck and Happy Bidding!
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