The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments: Translated Out of the Original Tongues; and With the former Translations diligently compared and revised, by His Majesty's Special Command. Appointed to be Read in Churches.

Exquisitely bound 18th century Cambridge University printing of the Holy Bible

Cambridge: Printed by John Burges Printer to the University, 1798.

$8,800.00

In Stock Item Number: RRB-149747

Custom Clamshell Box (+$450)

* Custom Clamshell Boxes are hand made by the Harcourt Bindery upon request and take approximately 60 days to complete

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Exquisitely bound 18th century Cambridge University printing of the Holy Bible. Octavo, sumptuously bound in full contemporary straight grain morocco with gilt titles and elaborate gilt tooling to the spine in six compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt border with floral scrolling, corner medallions and fleurons to the front and rear panels, tan and black oval central onlays to both panels with gilt christogram within gilt sunburst motif, gilt turn-ins and inner dentelles, gilt ruling and fleuron cornerpieces to the pastedowns and endpapers, all edges gilt. Although lacking any binders label, this binding very closely matches example 182 in Maggs catalogue 1212 bound by Joseph Coxhead. In near fine condition. A stunning example.

During the early seventeenth century, Cambridge emerged as an important center for the authorized printing of the Bible alongside London, where the King’s Printers held the monopoly. Under the direction of John Burges, Printer to the University of Cambridge, a number of biblical editions were issued, often distinguished by their careful typography and adherence to the official text authorized by the Crown and Church of England. While London presses dominated large-scale production, Cambridge printings offered an alternative source of supply for scholars and clergy, reinforcing the role of the universities in the dissemination of Scripture. Burges’s imprints on these editions reflect both the institutional privilege of the Cambridge press and the highly regulated nature of Bible printing in early modern England, where control of sacred texts was closely tied to ecclesiastical and royal authority.