“OF CARDINAL IMPORTANCE FOR ITS INFLUENCE ON THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, LITERATURE AND THOUGHT”: LAST 17TH-CENTURY EDITION OF THE INFLUENTIAL GENEVA BIBLE, ILLUSTRATED WITH NUMEROUS IN-TEXT WOODCUTS, HANDSOMELY BOUND

BIBLE. The Bible, That is, the Holy Scriptures… Amsterdam: Thomas Stafford, 1640 [i.e., 1644]. Folio (9-1/2 by 14-1/2 inches), 18th-century full paneled calf gilt rebacked and recornered with original spine laid down, red morocco spine label, marbled endpapers.

1644 (and likely the last 17th-century) edition of the Geneva Bible, popularly known as the “Breeches Bible”— arguably the most significant Protestant translation of Scripture prior to the King James Version— illustrated with several woodcut vignettes and maps, handsomely bound.

Upon Queen Mary’s accession in 1553, “publication of the English Bible ceased in England. Many Protestants who fled to the Continent were attracted to Calvin’s Geneva. Among these exiles were eminent English Bible scholars who began work on a new translation” (Bible 100 Landmarks 62). First published in 1560, the Geneva Bible— often called the “Breeches Bible” for its rendering of Genesis 3:7— was “more scholarly than any previous translation… [It] achieved immediate popularity and exerted an extremely powerful influence… The Geneva Version included prefaces, maps and tables; and for the first time in an English Bible the verses were divided and numbered… It has been more properly called the Elizabethan family Bible, since it was this version which was the first to enter the English home” (PMM 83). “It became the textus receptus for the Puritan element in England. It was read by Shakespeare, Bunyan and the soldiers of the Civil War, and is thus of cardinal importance for its influence on the English language, literature and thought” (Great Books and Book Collectors, 105-8). When first published in 1640, this edition was apparently “the earliest example of an English Bible which deliberately omits the Apocrypha from the list of books” (Darlow & Moule, 187). Although this copy’s general title page is dated 1640, the New Testament title page is dated 1644 and the running title in the Psalms is set in Roman type (as opposed to italics), indicating the copy most likely belongs to the 1644 edition, which was a “close reprint” of the 1640, retaining its pagination and gatherings. Illustrated with woodcut vignette (depicting Exodus 14.13-14) on title page, three woodcut maps (the Garden of Eden, leaf A2; the Israelites’ wilderness sojourn, [N6]; divisions of Canaan, S1; and Jesus’ ministry, ¶2v in New Testament), two full-page woodcuts (depicting Tabernacle furnishings and worship) on G1r and G2v, as well as ornamental woodcut initials, head- and tailpieces throughout. Separate New Testament title page. Without final leaf (2M4, last leaf of second table). Darlow & Moule 449. Herbert 579. STC 2206. Family record to first leaf. Old marginalia in the Psalms (indicating usage in daily prayer). Devotional label affixed to front pastedown.

Scattered light marginal dampstaining, light foxing. Closed tears to M3, N2, K1 in Old Testament. New Testament title page mounted; marginal restoration to 2M3. An excellent 17th-century Bible, handsomely bound.