CAMBRIDGE “PREACHING BIBLE,” 1666, IN A BEAUTIFUL CONTEMPORARY BINDING

(BIBLE) (BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER). The Holy Bible, Containing the Old Testament and the New. Cambridge: John Field, 1666-68. Quarto, contemporary full red morocco, raised bands, elaborately gilt-decorated spine and boards, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. $8500.

1666 Cambridge “Preaching Bible,” with engraved general title page, beautifully bound in contemporary morocco-gilt.

"This edition [of the King James Version, first published 1611] is sometimes known as the 'Preaching Bible,' being well adapted for pulpit use; it is printed in small type, with a very full page" (Darlow & Moule 548). Separate New Testament title page dated 1666. Includes Apocrypha. Bound with 1666 editions of Thomas Sternhold and John Hopkins' popular and influential metrical psalter, and of the Book of Common Prayer, and a 1668 concordance. Herbert 697. Wing 2277. Griffiths 1666:1 (BCP). Bookplates. Owner signature and annotations dated 1770 to 1806.

Text quite clean and fresh, with one tiny burn mark to Bible leaf HH1, affecting a few letters; beautiful contemporary morocco with expert restoration to joints, spine ends and corners.