IMPRESSIVE ILLUSTRATED JAMIESON FOLIO BIBLE, WITH PLATES AFTER JOHN MARTIN, HANDSOMELY BOUND

(BIBLE) JAMIESON, Robert, editor. The Holy Bible with a Devotional and Practical Commentary. London: James S. Virtue, circa 1870. Thick folio (11 by 15 inches), contemporary full brown morocco, elaborately gilt-decorated spine and covers, raised bands,marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. $2000.

Large illustrated Victorian family Bible, presenting the text of the King James version with editor Robert Jamieson's extensive commentary, and illustrated with vignette title pages, 37 steel-engraved plates after old masters—including four after the epic paintings of John Martin—and one map, sumptuously bound.

This impressive family Bible presents the text of the King James version (first published 1611) and 37 steel-engraved plates illustrating many of the most dramatic moments in Scripture. The four plates after John Martin include mezzotint-style engravings of some of his most famous paintings: "Belshazzar's Feast," "The Seventh Plague," "The Burning Bush," "The Destruction of Pharaoh's Host." Also includes a number of plates after Thomas Allom's paintings of the ruins present on Biblical sites. Editor Robert Jamieson was a Church of Scotland minister, "a learned and accurate preacher… Jamieson devoted himself to the guidance of young men studying for the ministry and his students' classes were influential throughout the church" (ODNB). Text does not include Apocrypha. Early gift inscription, early owner entries in family registry at front.

Text generally fine, mostly marginal foxing to plates, mild rubbing to corners. A lovely illustrated Victorian family bible.