HANDSOME 1715 KING JAMES BIBLE IN ELABORATE BINDING

BIBLE. The Holy Bible Containing the Old Testament and the New. Newly Translated out of the Original Tongues and With the former Translations diligently compar'd and revis'd… Edinburgh: James Watson, 1715 [colophon dated 1714]. Octavo, contemporary full black morocco rebacked with original spine laid down, elaborately gilt-tooled boards and spine, Dutch gilt endpapers. $7500.

Early 18th-century Edinburgh edition of the King James Bible in a lovely, distinctively Scottish contemporary binding.

In 1711, the well-regarded Scottish printer James Watson obtained a royal patent from Queen Anne allowing him to print Bibles. This edition of the King James translation—"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)—was one of his earliest such productions. With engraved general title page and separate New Testament title page; this edition without Apocrypha. The gilt arabesque herringbone binding design makes use of characteristically 18th-century Scottish tools (including a turnip ornament forming part of the corner fronds), and bears strong similarities to a 1717 binding featured in the National Library of Scotland's "Scottish Decorative Binding" exhibit. Darlow & Moule 729. Herbert 934. 19th-century bookplate. Early inked owner name opposite leaf Nn.

Short closed edge tears and small nicks, one leaf (Nn, in Mark Chapter 10) with expert paper repair along gutter, decorative rear free endpaper renewed; binding showing minor wear to gilt and extremities. A beautifully bound Bible.