31 BIBLE. Compilatio Historiarum Totius Bibliae tam veteris quam novi testamenti.

Splendid illuminated manuscript on a long roll of vellum (18 feet by 17 inches), folded to form a folio volume.

Folio, morocco gilt, with a doublure of morocco leather, tooled, vellum fly-leaves, g. e., by C. Lewis.

(Early XVth Century.)

£38

A very fine manuscript on vellum highly decorated. Besides the Scripture history, it contains a series of Roman Emperors and succession of the Popes down to 1352. Among the ornamentation of the manuscript, which is written in a neat Gothic hand in black and red, is the golden candlestick, the golden lavers, and other Temple utensils, views of Jerusalem, etc.

THE FIRST ISSUE OF THE BISHOPS' BIBLE, 1568. THE TREACLE' BIBLE." 32 BIBLE. The Holie Bible, conteyning the Olde Testament and the Newe. Printed in Black Letter,

Portrait of Queen Elizabeth on first title, one of the Earl of Leicester on title of Part II., and one of Lord Burleigh at the beginning of the Psalms, numerous fine woodcuts within borders, some by Virgil Solis, and numerous figured and ornamental initials, including Leda and the Swan, and other classical subjects.

Thick large folio, old calf.
London, R. Jugge, 1568.

£63

*** The first issue of the Bishops' Bible, which is hardly ever found perfect. This is a perfect copy; the first title has blank margins renewed, and there are a few slight repairs to the blank margins of last four leaves.

In typography and illustration this is perhaps the most sumptuous in the long series of folio English Bibles. This version was undertaken by Matthew Parker, Archbishop of Canterbury, with the assistance of many bishops and well-known Biblical scholars. This was the second attempt made by the heads of the English Church to translate the Bible for the use of all English-speaking people. The first, in Henry VIII.'s time, failed, from their being unable to decide how many Latin words should be retained. But that the Bishops at both periods should be equal to such a task, one requiring Biblical research and accurate critical scholarship, is a proof that in those days the sees were filled by the Bishop of Rome, and afterwards by the Crown, not from favouritism and political motives only, as has often been represented, but by men of the highest attainments. Although initials were affixed by most of the translators to their work, it was the desire of Parker that the translation should be regarded as the work of the Church, and not of private men. As each translator finished the parcel (as it was called) assigned to him he returned it to the Primate, who supervised it.

When complete it was properly and formally sanctioned by Convocation, and a copy was presented to Queen Elizabeth on Oct. 5, 1568.

The following curious reference to Christopher Columbus occurs at Psalm XLV., verse 9: "Ophir is thought to be the Ilande in the west coast, of late founde by Christopher Columbo: fro whence at this day is brought most fine golde."

This is also called the "Treacle" Bible on account of the reference in Jeremiah VIII.. verse 22:

Is there no treacle in Gilead?"

THE FIRST AUTHORISED VERSION—THE "HE" BIBLE.

33 BIBLE. The Holy Bible.

Conteyning the Old Testament, and the New; newly Translated out
of the Originall Tongues, and with the former translations diligently
compared and revised, by his Maiesties special Commandement.

Woodcut titles. Thick folio, full morocco gilt, with the Arms of
the Curzon family on sides, g. e.

London, R. Barker, 1611.

£52 10s

*** The Editio Princeps of King James's Bible, commonly known as the " Authorised "
Version, or the He" and She" Bibles.

This copy has the "He" reading in Ruth iii., 15.

There were several issues of this book; this is believed to be the second issue.

This "Authorised Version of the Sacred Volume is that which is still in common use,
and many millions of copies have been printed since its first appearance in 1611.

THE FIRST AUTHORISED VERSION-THE "SHE" BIBLE.

34 BIBLE. The Holy Bible.

Another Copy of the First Authorised Version.

Thick folio, full morocco gilt.

London, R. Barker, 1611.

*This copy has the She" reading in Ruth iii., 15.

Fine tall copy, measuring 163 by 11 inches. Blank margin of First Title repaired.

£30

35 BIBLE. The Old and New Testaments: the Genuine Issue of Field's
famous "Pearl" Bible.

Engraved title, 24mo, full contemporary morocco, with silver clasps.
London, Printed by John Field, Printer to the Parliament, 1653.

£4 4s

This genuine first issue is very scarce. It has the first four Psalms printed on one
page, and has among other famous faults the extraordinary misreadings :-
Romans VI., 13: Neither yield ye your members as instruments of righteousness unto
sin," instead of " unrighteousness."

I Cor. VI., 9: "Know ye not that the unrighteous.shall inherit the Kingdom of God."
instead of shall not inherit."

Matt. VI., 24: " Ye cannot serve and Mammon," with the word "God" omitted.

THE "VINEGAR " BIBLE.

A MAGNIFICENT COPY PRINTED ENTIRELY ON VELLUM.

36 BIBLE. The Holy Bible Containing the Old Testament and the New,.
newly translated out of the Original Tongues and with the former trans-
lations diligently compared and revised.

Frontispieces, Numerous Vignette Engravings and Initial Letters by
Vander Gucht & Du Bosc. Proof Impressions.

Printed Entirely on Vellum (646 leaves) ruled with red lines.

2 vols. Thick large folio in contemporary binding of blue velvet,
the Crest of the Original Noble Owner the Earl of Chandos engraved
on silvered plates and mounted on both sides of each volume.

Oxford, John Baskett, 1717.

£420

A MAGNIFICENT COPY--one of four known copies printed entirely upon vellum.
(The red lines from title of Vol. I. have set off a little on to Frontispiece as invariably
happens.) The other three copies are respectively in the British Museum, Bodleian
Library, and the third formerly in Blenheim Palace. This latter copy was sold at
the Sunderland Sale in 1818, and the Catalogue stated that "it is probably the only
copy on vellum likely to occur for sale."

This edition is called "The Vinegar Bible" from an error in the running title at
Luke, Chapter XX., where it reads, The Parable of the Vinegar," instead of The
Parable of the Vineyard." It is also styled, punning on the publisher's name, A
Basket-ful of Errors on account of other curious literal errors.

THE FIRST GREEK BIBLE.

37 BIBLE. Sacrae Scripturae veteris, novaeque omnia. (In Greek.)
Double columns, Greek type, printed in red and black, with large
ornamental initials and chapter-headings in red.

Folio, light brown morocco, g. e.

Venice, Aldus, February, 1518.

£21

A fine copy of the first edition of the complete Bible in the Greek language. This copy
has the title in facsimile, and wants the fourth preliminary leaf, in place of which
is bound the leaf with the table of contents of the second part. An exceptionally
fresh copy.

Edited by Andreas Asolanus, the father-in-law of Aldus Manutius.

FIRST GREEK BIBLE.

38 BIBLE. Sacrae Scripturae veteris, novaeque omnia. (In Greek).
Another Copy. Folio, dark purple morocco, g. e.
Venice, Aldus, February, 1518.

£14 14s

A fine copy of the first edition of the complete Bible in the Greek language, edited by
Andreas Asolanus, the father-in-law of Aldus Manutius.

This copy wants the four preliminary leaves, including title, in place of which is bound
the last leaf with the Aldine device and the leaf with the table of contents of the
second part. At end is inserted a leaf from some other book with the Aldine device.

P

39 BIBLE. Biblia Sacra Latina, cum prefationibus S. Hieronymi et Epistola Menardi.

Black Letter, double columns, 51 lines to a full page, capital spaces. WITH FINE BORDER ILLUMINATED IN GOLD AND COLOURS ON THE TITLE-PAGE, AND LARGE INITIAL IN BLUE AND GOLD. CAPITALS AND PARAGRAPH-MARKS IN RED AND BLUE ALTERNATELY, INITIAL-STROKES IN RED. THIS COPY CONTAINS THE RARE FIRST BLANK PAGE.

Folio, original wooden boards, covered with magnificently stamped Nuremberg binding (rebacked). £48

Nuremberg, Anton Koberger, 30th July, 1477.

Hain *3065. British Museum Catalogue, Vol. II., pp. 414-415. Pellechet 2294. Copinger (Incunabula Biblica No. 32). Only six Libraries in U.S.A. contain copies of this magficent work, one of the rarest and the finest of the Koberger Bibles.

This is the second edition of the Latin Bible printed by Koberger, its arrangements correspond precisely with the first edition, but the Epistle of the monk Mesnard, and the Canons of Eusebius, have been added at the end. The type of this Bible is of a more elegant character than in the edition of 1475.

40 BIBLE. Biblia Sacra Latina.

Black Letter, double columns, 51 long lines to a page, capital spaces, head-lines and headings. On the title-page is a fine illuminated capital in red, blue, green, yellow and gold, on a burnished gold background, and floral illuminated border. Initials supplied in red and blue alternately, initial strokes in red.

Folio, oak boards, pigskin back, clasps (modern).
Nuremberg, Anton Koberger, 14th April, 1480.

£42

Hain *3076, British Museum Catalogue, Vol. II., p. 418. Pellechet 2304. Copinger (Incunabula Biblica, No. 48). Only four copies of this fine Bible in U.S.A.

THE FIRST BIBLE IN ROMANSCH DIALECT OF SWITZERLAND.

41 BIBLE. La Sacra Biblia. Traduta in lingua Rumanscha d'Engadina Bassa. With woodcut frontispiece.

Roman letter, double columns.

Folio, brown levant morocco, panel border, fleurons at outer angles, gilt panel back, g. e., title printed in black and red.

Scuol (in Lower Engadine), 1678-1679.

£12 12s

First edition of the complete Bible in the Romansch dialect of the Lower Engadine.

42 BIBLE. The Gospels in Slavonic.

With full-page woodcut of St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke and St. John.

Printed in red and black, in the Slavonic character.

8vo, wooden boards covered with stamped leather, 2 clasps.
Moscow, 1640.

£7 10s

The ancient Slavonic version represents one of the earliest attempts in Europe to translate the Bible into the vulgar tongue. It is said to have been made in the second half of the ninth century, for the use of Slavs in Moravia, Pannonia, and Bulgaria, and is ascribed to Cyril (or Constantinus) and Methodius, sons of a Greek nobleman of Thessalonica, round which city were numerous Slav settlers.