VERY HANDSOME 1699 KING JAMES BIBLE, WITH ORIGINAL SILVER FITTINGS

BIBLE. The Holy Bible, Containing the Old Testament and the New… London: Charles Bill and the Executrix of Thomas Newcomb, deceas'd, 1699. Small thick octavo, contemporary full black paneled morocco, raised bands, elaborately gilt-decorated spine, original silver catches, cornerpieces and centerpieces, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. $6500.

1699 edition of the magisterial King James Bible, most handsome in contemporary calf with original engraved silver fittings.

First published in 1611 and indisputably the most influential of English Bible translations, the impact of the King James Version on piety, language and literature is incalculable. It is "a book, which if everything else in our language should perish, would alone suffice to show the whole extent of its beauty and power" (Macaulay). With engraved architectural title page and separate New Testament title page. Bound with contemporary editions of Sternhold and Hopkins' metrical psalter (1699) and the Book of Common Prayer (1701). Darlow & Moule 669. Herbert 852. With provenance information on a front blank by "WFO" about how this is an Oakeshott family bible, likely written by noted medievalist Sir Walter Fraser Oakeshott, discoverer of the Winchester Manuscript of Le Morte d'Arthur and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford. Oakeshott was also a member of the exclusive bibliophilic Roxburghe Club.

Interior with light embrowning and foxing, heavier to Book of Common Prayer and metrical psalter, a few instances of marginal dampstaining or staining; text trimmed a bit close, occasionally touching side- or head-notes. Striking contemporary binding with minor restoration to spine, without silver clasps. A lovely example of a Bible with its original silver fittings.