ILLUSTRATED VICTORIAN EDITION OF SCOTT’S BIBLE, WITH 50 ENGRAVED PLATES, ELEGANTLY BOUND
BIBLE. The Holy Bible… With Explanatory Notes, Practical Observations, and Copious Marginal References by Thomas Scott. Glasgow, Edinburgh and London: William Mackenzie, circa 1870. Folio (12 by 14-1/2 inches), contemporary full navy morocco, elaborately gilt-decorated spine and boards, raised bands, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt.
Later edition of Thomas Scott’s copiously annotated Bible, illustrated with 50 engraved plates, bound in elaborately gilt-decorated morocco.
First published in 1611, the King James Version of the Bible has exercised an incalculable impact on piety, language and literature throughout the English-speaking world. It is also probably the text most commonly found in decorative family Bibles such as this one, which also includes Thomas Scott's renowned commentary (first published 1788-92): "Sir James Stephen does not hesitate to speak of it as 'the greatest theological performance of our age and country'" (DNB). Two volumes bound as one. Illustrated with 50 engraved plates, including frontispiece, vignette title page, six maps (five with hand-colored outlining), seven after after paintings by noted biblical painter John Martin and five after photographs by prominent early Holy Land photographer Francis Frith. Also with engraved family register (unused in this copy). Without preliminary gatherings A-E in Volume I (including introductory essay referenced on title page); all biblical text present. Without Apocrypha (not called for in table of contents). Morocco-gilt bookplate.
Occasional light foxing and soiling. Marginal tissue repair to [3N4] in New Testament. Upper corner of last blank leaf excised; short closed tear, abrasion to rear free endpaper. Splits, minor worming to inner hinges and rear joint; binding sound. An impressive Bible in excellent condition, most handsomely bound.