9 individual quality is entire absence of decoration. Not a single floret appears; besides the characters of a simple roman alphabet there is only a paragraph mark... Of approximately fifty publications issued between 1901 and 1916, the outstanding item is the complete Bible, published in five large quarto volumes… The Doves Bible and the Kelmscott Chaucer stand side by side upon the highest peak of typographical accomplishment, utterly dissimilar yet with the same element of greatness incontestible. Though popular belief holds the Gutenberg Bible to be the most beautiful book ever printed, these two monumental volumes prove once more that popular belief may be inaccurate” (Ransom, 56). Bound without a few preliminary or concluding blank leaves. The extraordinary binding on this Bible, with stunning cross emblems on each board done in elaborate gilt and morocco onlays, features ten original paintings on the pastedowns, seven of which are signed “J. Vila.” Interior with occasional light foxing, generally to initial and concluding leaves only; very mild toning to spines, joints a bit rubbed. A landmark Bible, magnificently bound.
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