1612 Quarto First Edition King James New Testament With Rare Extras& Provenance

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Seller: etrarebooks ✉️ (56) 100%, Location: El Dorado Hills, California, US, Ships to: US, Item: 395189803716 1612 Quarto First Edition King James New Testament With Rare Extras& Provenance. Finally, the printing of the first 1612 quarto format (Herbert 318), which was the second single column printed. The folio was printed in double column and restricted to the pulpits of the English churches by chain, along with its enormous size and weight, to prevent theft.

Importance

 

“The aim of those who produced King James's, or the Authorized, Version of the Bible was not to produce a new translation, but to make a good one better. It was a continuation, a refinement, a synthesis of all that had gone before. The greatest monument of English prose, no book has had greater influence on the English language or on the character of English-speaking people…” (Thomas, Alan G. Great Books and Book Collectors. Spring Books, 1988, p. 110.)

 

The early history of the historical stand-alone King James New Testaments starts with the printing of the first 1611 duodecimo format (Herbert 310 ), which was the first single column printed, with only 3 copies in a private collection and 3 recorded institutional holdings. Finally, the printing of the first 1612 quarto format (Herbert 318),  which was the second single column printed. The quarto in particular is said to have been printed under the direction of Lancelot Andrews (1555-1626), at the proposal of King James I (1566-1625), within a few months after the famous 1611 HE folio King James Bible was printed (Herbert 309) . The folio was printed in double column and restricted to the pulpits of the English churches by chain, along with its enormous size and weight, to prevent theft. Brake-Hellstern 2017 worldwide census indicates there are 198 copies of these folios, and auction records show a complete folio was last sold in 2016 for $396,500. 

 

New Testaments focused on the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, while at the same time eliminating the extra bulk of having an Old Testament. New Testaments like the 1557 Geneva in octavo format (Herbert 106 ) offered copious summaries and marginal references with commentaries, while the 1612 King James in quarto format was more barebones and stayed so with other editions. The quarto was the  perfect format, size, and weight for personal reading and study while traveling, with its  large Black letter type size for the older eyes or people with visual impairments, and its design and layout in single column for a smoother reading experience of the Word of God, unlike what the dictionary style (the traditional double columns) offered. 

 

Presented here is a once in a life time opportunity to own a distinguished copy of the stand-alone 1612 quarto King James New Testament. Featuring the rare 1620 BCP with the 1622 PGB, and the 1621 WBP (together as thick as the New Testament). This copy is far more rarer than the 1611 HE folio King James Bible, and is offered only at a quarter of what a folio typically would sell for at retail price. The functionality, readability, legibility have been improved, and any historical defects to the current covering material and its leaves were mended but kept authentic.

 

Binding

 

“Don’t judge a book by its covers.”

 

Thick Quarto (about 7.5”-8” Tall x 7.5” Wide x 3.125” Thick). Weighs 2 lb 15 oz. Rebacked early 18th c. one-off  crudely blind tooled & cut full fine dark  brown tanned limp  calf leather binding with a.e.b. The current binding style is called a limp leather binding , where the covering material (commonly vellum) was stiffened only with pastedowns rather than with traditional boards, which explains its unusual stiffness & thickness (about 3.5 mm or 2 USA pennies). Covers with blind tooled panels (with double-lined fillets), framed inner panels, & centerpieces. Lower cover larger in width & height than upper cover, retained. Sympathetic modern baggy toned brown calfskin leather spine with blind tooled double-lined fillets around the four raised bands & saddle stitched ends. The  original leather spine is too stiff & thick to be pared down, &conformed to the resewn text blocks spine due to the new sewing thickness & substantial debris cleared. Originally the spine was flat & without cords, but these cords  made it possible to attach the textblock to the original leather covers without the need to rebind. Covers cracks reinforced on flesh side with rope pulp; sympathetic blue endpapers & sympathetic fly-leaves (averting acid migration), with original blue pastedowns relaid. Original crude brilliant brass cornerpieces (decorated with etched lines) & catch plate, lightly cleaned. Sympathetic modern center leather strap, brass hasp & strap plate, & black tacking nails (replacing old rusted trefoil lead nails). Original black painted edges lightly restored, perhaps originally done with carbon black powder as there was an intense accumulation in the inner margins of some quires. Without endbands, as originally, therefore can’t be shelved vertically. Sympathetic modern quarter fine brown calfskin leather clamshell case with brown cloth boards. Rounded spine with four similarly blind tooled double-lined fillets & saddle stitched ends.

 

A special thanks to all Professional Conservators, Binding Historians, Museum Curators,  &  Dealers for their help. The following experts are referenced: The  Bookbinding Historian & Curator Philippa Marks from The British Library; Collections Officer: Archive & Library Jane Schön from the Wiltshire Museum; AIC Professional Member  Conservator of Rare Books, Manuscripts & Art on Paper Sonja K. Jordan-Mowery from Mowery Book & Paper Conservation ; David Pearson, one of Britains leading experts on bookbinding history who formerly worked in the National Art Library & The British Library, & is now a Librarian of the Wellcome Library.

 

The Historical Bindings Original Condition

 

Progress Report

 

Textblock has been removed from the binding. The sewing has been taken down and reveals that the book has been sewn at least twice before. The current sewing, for the lack of a better word has been stubbed (never seen this in a book from this period or even done in this fashion). So, the sewing history is something like this:

 

The books come from the publisher as ticketed sections--whipped together quickly. At some point all three books are collected and sewn in the traditional method of sewing on raised cords and through the folds. You will see the evidence of this as the shadowing around five raised bands. The area around the bands is a little darker and dirtier because that is where the paste was adhered.

 

Then for some unknown reason, the book was rebound with the current binding. The current method of attachment is not sewing strictly. While the old sewing was probably somewhat still intact, all sections were pierced through the sections, not at the fold, inside from the spine edge about 1⁄4”. The 4 cords were knotted from back of the book and laced onto the back board and fed through the holes that were pierced. The top board was then laced in with the stubbed cords. The original raised bands were then cut free but cutting the sewing threads on the side. This explains why there are fragments of the original sewing in the folds throughout.

 

It is logical to assume that when each of the books were published, that the sections were initially ticketed together. It is also clear that the first binding of all books was only the one with the evidence of raised bands we see. The separate books were never sewn through the folds as a book previously, since the sewing holes are all in the same place. This suggests that the first binding of this book is not the current binding.

 

Final Repor t

 

The books had been previously bound several times as is evident by numerous sewing holes at different locations in the gutter as well as material evidence gathered. Based on the gutter and thread evidence, there was one set of four holes in the gutter which were sewn on raised hemp cords. While there are no cords now, there is evidence of them once having been both by the “shadowing” on the spine of the textblock and the cord fragments channeled through the full leather cover. There is also a set of four whipped stitched holes. In the current leaf attachment, there is no sewing through the fold, no endbands, no kettle stitch but rather all sections were attached by stabbing through the entire volume approximately 1/8” from spine edge. The textblock is flush with the covering material, and all textblock edges are painted black. The book does not open well because of the leaf attachment method. 

 

So, the sewing history is something like this: The books come from the publisher as ticketed sections-whipped together quickly. At some point all three books are collected and sewn in the traditional method of sewing on raised cords and through the folds. The 4 cords were knotted from back of the book and laced onto the back board and fed through the holes that were pierced. The top board was then laced in with the stubbed cords. The original raised bands were then cut free but cutting the sewing threads on the side. This explains why there are fragments of the original sewing in the folds throughout. It is logical to assume that when each of the books were published, that the sections were initially ticketed together. It is also clear that the first binding of all books was only the one with the evidence of raised bands we see.

 

The leather is not attached to any board, but rather consists solely of a full thickness of dark brown tanned calfskin. Because the leather cover is not supported with a board, the leather has cracked at several locations on all three components (front, back and spine). The joints of the leather have redrot and have torn. The covering has not been cut square and so there is a slight difference in size from the front to the back cover. The spine is also full thickness leather which prevents it from having a natural round and flexing with the textblock. There is saddle stitching at the head and tail of the spine, simple double fillets on the spine and both front and back cover, but the fillets do not match up [to the five raised bands that were part of the original sewing that was removed].

 

There is brass furniture on fore-edge corners of the front and back covers which has tarnished The brass furniture is attached by means of black iron tacks which have rusted, damaging the leather at the corners, as well as the rust penetrating through several pages of both the front and the back textblock. The hasp and strap are missing of the clasp are missing.

Provenance & The Historical Binding

A complete list of provenances in chronological order, with the historical binding being further explored. See Bremer Ancestral Lines   for more information on some of these Families listed below.

Provenance research indicates that the book stayed in England, Wiltshire (mostly in a small village called Burbage) this whole time up until perhaps the early 20th c., with its variously closely knit owners who were born, lived, & died there (unless otherwise noted). Wiltshire is a county located South West of England & is famously known for its various historical sites like Avebury, Windmill Hill, & the Stonehenge which alone attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

Late 17th Century

BCP  (P5r) swe[a]ring turn .17  & fabbath , referencing Matthew 12:37 as there’s a similar S  standing for scripture-they are found throughout the NT. There are also other markings like A , M , W , X  but these are dated from the late 17th to late 18th c. PGB  (Bb4v) King David his laft Pfalme, has her in the laft vers, his laft words;  (Hh5v) free , the word him  was scribbled “…that we may serue him  in spirit & trueth...”;  (Hh4v) hand amendation to monarchs name prayed for from King James I to King Charles  with no indication if its Charles I reigning 1625-1649 or Charles II reigning 1660-1685, likely the latter. NT (Cc7r) Luther,  points to Romans 3:5/6; (Hh7v) Luke or Barnabas , questioning who him  was in 2 Corinthians 8:18; (Qq7r) 3 ang[els] ; (Gg7v-8r) E El Elennoir L. Lonsdell Book 1699 God giue him grace on if so look and upon the books for him doth fooyl the lord, haue mercie on his soul;  (F6v) 1.331 ; (R6v) 0/9  James [the] Just?;  (Ee3v) r H:1: 3, [tongues?] , i.e. read Hebrews 1:3; (Oo2v) Person , points to Maiestie in Hebrews 1:3; (Oo6v) mrs. swind funurell, Dr. Baffers, text i2 , points to read Hebrews 6:12. WBP  (D7v) John Lansdaile.  Perhaps John Lansdaile (16??-17??) was the husband of Elennoir Lonsdell (16??-17??). David Pearson notes in his book that the particular spelling & handwriting suggests that these two women were typical of those from humbler domestic backgrounds , & that Bibles were normally passed onto the females but at times to males. (Pearson, David. P.27 Provenance Research in Book History a Handbook . The Bodleian Library, 2019.)

Early 18th Century

Repetitive (incoherent) inscriptions & markings, with a prayer by Anne Brown (16??-17??). PGB  (Hh1v) Anne Browne is my name  & Anne Browne my name. NT  (Gg7v) Anne Browne is my name 1734[/]5, 3 dye, dye 3;  (C1v) Ann Browne 1737 ; (I1r) 1737 May 26 [Holmes?];  (K8v) mary on […?] 1737 May 29 29 29;  (Cc8v) Ann Browne her book  good [God] giue him grese [grace] their child there in to look an when the beldo [bold] sougt the Lord hauenis;  (M5v) Anne Browne is my name with upon I rite the fame 1737 May . WBP (M8v) eta, Aa , & 1 Kings 29, 27 . This Anne Brown (16??-17??) is likely the descendant of Ann Noyes (1608-1657) who was born in Burbage & married William Brown (1605-16??) born in Collingbourne Ducis in September 6th  1630 in Burbage, having at least 1 child, parents died in Collingbourne Ducis which is a small village located on the Salisbury Plain about 4.8 miles away from Burbage. The small distance preserved close relationships, therefore she knew who & where the Noyes Family & Holmes Family were. Noyes was a very common last name in Burbage & Great Bedwyne, this particular Noyes Family has a history of living in Wiltshire since the year 1504 & Yeoman Farmers. Ann’s sister, Dorothy Noyes (1612-1692 to 93) married William Cole (1608-1681) in 1633, & had 11 children. Their last child Francis Cole (1658-1741) married Frances Blake (1663-1738), & had 3 children. Their last child Rebecca Cole (1705-1788) married John Noyes (1706-1765) in 1730, & had 8 children. Their 6th child was William Noyes (1741-1833).

Thomas Holmes (1686-1751), a Cordwainer, married Eleanor Tompson alias Hunt (1690-1765) in 1716, & had 5 children. Their 2nd child Thomas Holmes (1718-1791), a Cordwainer, married firstly  Mary J Neale (1722-1774) in December 21st 1739, & had 4 children. Their 3rd child was Frances Holmes (1744-1778). NT  (R8v) faintly inscribed Thomas . Rear pastedown  with earliest 18th c. inscriptions in different hands by Thomas Holmes Jr. THOMAS HOLMS Burbag[e] 1743  & Thomas Holms Burba[ge] 25 .

Late 18th Century

Frances Holmes (1744-1778) married William Noyes (1741-1833) a Yeoman Farmer in June 27th 1762, & had 5 children. Their 3rd child was Fanny Noyes (1766-1846). Rear pastedown  William Noyes Burbage Wilt[s] February 24 1765 . Shortly after this inscription his father died in July 18th, impressively William Noyes died at age 91.

After Thomas Holmes Jr. died the book likely made its way to his grandson Thomas Holmes (17??-18??), whom the Will notes (see below), & who scratched a box around his inscription at the lower cover  Tho. g. Holms 1792.

Fanny Noyes (1766-1846) married Joseph Townsend (1758 to 62-1850) on 22nd September 1783, & had 5 children: Thomas Holmes Townsend (1785-????), John Townsend (1790 to 93-1878), Mary Townsend (1792-????), Joseph Townsend (1822-????), Dorethea Townsend (1829-????) were all born in Burbage, Wiltshire. Joseph was born somewhere in Wiltshire, but not in Burbage. BCP (B4v-B5r) Fanney , originally covered with an iron gall ink spill & transferred, likely receiving the book between 1792-1793. Front Pastedown  Joseph Townsend Book May 26 1793 , having the book right before his second sons Christening in June 11th  1793. Rear Pastedown  1793-1765=28 , calculating when William Noyes received the book.

Early 19th Century

Early 19th c. penciling by his children: PGB  (U4v) 12 , 1204 ; (X6v) 72 ; (Hh8v) M[ortan?] 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ; NT  (A8v) 14 , 14 , 15,  referencing Matthew 6:14-15. Catch plate  with tiny letters scratched ELE  or TLE . Joseph’s early 19th c. penciling: NT  (A1r) t.p. 1822-1612=210;  (Uu8v)1822-1621=209 [201 correctly]  dating the WBP , 1822 was the year his grandson was born & named after him as Joseph Townsend (1822-circa 1901); NT  (A1r) t.p. JosephTownsend March 14 1843 ; PGB  (U5r) t.p. 1846-1622=224 , 1846 was the year his wife died. Hereafter the books’ whereabouts are uncertain.

Early 20th Century

(Hh7v) blue ink inscription with quill Mr. Davied Price Yeane.  Davied is noted to be a Welsh name, & Yeane families are noted to have come from Venice & England from the 16th to 19th c. Indicating that perhaps the book made its way to Wales. Hereafter, the books’ whereabouts are uncertain but, it did make its way to Oxford University where it was purchased from in 2022.

The Will of Thomas Holmes (1686-1751).   In the name of God, amen, I, Thomas Holms of Burbage in the county of Wiltts, cordwider, being wake in body but of a sound and disposing mind and memory, thanks be to God for it and reavoaking all other former will or wills made by me at aney time or times heretofore made, I do here make and decleare this to be my last will and testament in the following manner and form.  Imprimis, I bequeath my soul to God from whome I received it any body to the earth to be buried in a most christian manner at the discression of my executrix herein after name and for al such money goods and chattels as it hath pleased the almighty God to bestow upon one in this life, I give, devise and bequeath the same as followeth:Item, my will and desire is that my funeral expences and all my debts shall be first paid by any exectrix in some convenient time after my decease.  Item, I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Holms all that my freehold house wherein I know live and all that my freehould house and garden and all the appurtenances thereof scituated lying and being at Eastsands in Burbage aforsaid, and all that my leasehold which I bote of Thomas Nutley leying and being in Burbage aforsaid for he to take possess and enjoy the said lasehold and freeholds immeadiatly after the decease or marriage of Eleanor Holms my now wife his mother but not before except  the south end of my freehould hous wherein he now liveth and the chamber over the well and the shoumaking shop at the north end all that he shall have immeadialey after my decease.  Item, I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary now wife of Thomas Pike the some of ten pounds to be paid by my son Thomas out of any freehoulds and leasehold to be paid her in twelve months next after te decease or marridge of his mother my wife and not before.  Item, I give and bequeath to my daughter Elenor now wife of Charles Stone the some of five and forty pounds and a chest of drawers to be paid and delivered by my son Thomas out of any free houlds and lease hold to be paid her in twelve month next after the decese or marridge of her moth my wife and not before.  Item, I do here make and ordaine Elenor my welbeloved wife to be my executrix of this my last will and testament, to whom I give and bequeath all my free hold house where in I no live except  the south end of my house and the chamber over the well and the shoumaking shope as before mentioned that my son shall have at my decease and allso I give to my wife all that my free hold house and garden at Eastsands which our said son Thomas is to enjoy after her and allso I give to my wife all that my lease hould which I bote of Thomas Nutley aforesaid which our said son Thomas is to enioy after her and allso the use of all my household goods and money whatsoever for the time of her widowhood and no longer then it shall be all my son Thomas Holms aforesaid, both freeholds and leasehold goods and chattel to him and his aiers for ever. Item, my will and desire is that if one or both my houses should be burnt or one or more of the lifes should die out of the leasehould be fore he should enjoy it that thay three Thomas, Mary and Elenor shal bare an equall shir in the lost in purpotion to theier sums given. In witness where of I sett my hand and seale the twenty eight day of December in the twenty third year of the reign of our sovereign lord George the second by the grace of God over Greate Britain, France and Ireland, king, defender of the faith &c and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred forty and nine.  Thomas Holms . Signed, sealed & declared by the said Thomas Holms testator here of to be his last will & testament in the presene of us witness enterlined in several plasis before sealing:  John Sommersby , the marke of John Batt , Phillip Neale . Will proved 30 Dec. 1751.

The Will of Thomas Holmes (1718-1791).  In the name of God, amen, I, Thomas Holmes of Burbage in the county of Wilts, cordwainer, being sound in body and perfect mind and understanding, thanks be to God for the same, do hereby make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following: Imprimis, first I give my soul into the hands of almighty God that gave it, hopeing for a joyful resurection of the same through the merrits of Jesus Christ my saviour, and my body to the earth to be decently buried according to the discresion of my executors herein after named and as forsuch wordly goods as it hath pleased God to bless me withall, I give and dispose of in manner and form following: First my will is that my executors in trust to this my last will and testament hereafter named do as soon as convenient after my discease make or cause to be made a true and just inventory of my goods and chattles, appertaining and belonging to me at my disease in my late dwelling house in Burbage of all and singular my goods and chattls in my said house and shops of trade except in the shoemakeing shop of lastsseats all hammers and all the utensals thereto belonging, I give to James Noyes to his proper use and be...  And for the tru performance and execution of this my last will and testament, I do hereby nominate and appoint my beloved wife Jane Holmes, John Banning and Anthony Kingstone to be my joynt executors to this my last will and testament for all my lands money goods and chattles whatsoever to me belonging at the time of my disease and all bills bonds, mortgages, and other securitys except a bond given to me by William Stratten Liddiard bearing date the twelfth day of November in the year of our lord 1776 as mentioned in our marridge writeing which said bond I do give to my said wife Jane Holmes at her own disposeall from and imeadiately after my discease without any hinderance or molestation from my executors or any other person claiming from by or under me. I also give my grandson James Noyes, all that my freehould estate laying and being at Firgreen with another estate &c at Eastcourt both in the parish of Burbage aforesaid from and imeadiately after the discease of my said wife to him his executors administrators and assigns forever all the rest and residew of my money bills bonds and all other securitys together with all my goods and chattles of all kinds whatsoever not before given or disposed of by me I give to my grandchildren, viz., Fanney Townsend, Salley and William Noyes unless my executors should at their discression advance any sum of money or other property as a part of the legasies so given by me to be equally divide between the said legatees and my will is that if any of my moneys so gave as aforesaid should be lost or unpaid that such loss is to be equally born between them the above named Fanney Townsend haveing received thirty five pounds as a part of her legasie which said legasies shall be paid them at the age of twenty one years provided proper security be given to my executrix to make good such lost as my happen to the surviveing lagatees and my farther will is that in case either of my grandchildren should die before their legasies become dew tht such legasy should at the discression of my executors be divided between the survivors of my grandchildren and my will is that if my executors in trust to this my will should be put to any expence in this execution of this my last will that then they are to pay and reimburse themselves out of the effects so left as aforesaid. Lastly my will is that m executors do pay unto Ellenor Pyke within one month after my discease the sum of five pounds. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seale this 15th day of September in the thirtieth year of the reign of our sovering lord George the third king defender of the faith and in the year of our lord 1790.  Thomas Holmes . Signed, sealed, published and declared by the testator Thomas Holmes as his last will and testament the day and year first above written in the presents of us:  John Durnford, Thomas Pyke, John Pyke.N.B. the within Wm. Noyes as mentioned in this my last will one of the legatees is to have late John Crook house as a part of his legasey if the effects within mentioned should run to more then one hundred pounds he is to have equal share in the overplush. I also give unto my grandson Thomas Holmes the sume of five pounds after my discease at the discression of my executors out of my effects.  Will proved 27 Feb. 1791.

The Two Likely Non-Bookbinders.

Historically, a Cordwainer (Shoemaker) was a skilled artisan in the craft of creating shoes from scratch using new leather; they shaped lasts (shoe molds) to build the shoe around, they did pattern making, cut the uppers, sewn the uppers together, and then assembled all of the prepared parts. Cordwainer initially denoted someone who worked with Cordovan, which is an equine leather that derived its name from a Medieval city called Cordoba. Cordovan leather is made from a fibrous flat connective tissue under the horses’ hide where the rump is, this was very difficult and expensive to create, therefore it was reserved only for the highest quality shoes. Cordwainers worked with different leathers (including materials like wood, plastic, and rubber) to create all types of footwear like: shoes, clogs (shoes with wooden soles), sandals, moccasins, and boots.  During the early 18th c. there was a stark contrast between Cordwainers and Cobblers, as they weren’t the same in craft and how they were treated by society. Cobblers were viewed as the least respected members of society, and even being a called a Cobbler when one was actually a Cordwainer, was a serious insult and not something any Cordwainer wanted to hear, as it meant they knew their craft only as well as a Cobbler. While Cordwainers were well educated, Cobblers in contrast were illiterate shoe menders (including in the craft of Shoemaking), therefore they were forbidden by law to make any new shoes.

Much like today shoes back then were viewed as a necessity and were in high demand. Most think that Cordwainers during the 18th c. operated on their own and worked on a single pair of shoes from start to finish, but this wasn’t the case. Cordwainers had a strategic division of labor and worked as a team, each Cordwainer was assigned a particular work on a pair of shoes in an assembly line fashion, and by the end the pair of shoes were assembled mostly by Journeymen (which took about 12 hours). The team consisted of Masters, Journeymen, and Apprentices (men and women) ranging from dozens to even hundreds in number. The Master Cordwainer was the one who owned the shop(s), oversaw the production of shoes, and trained Apprentices and Journeymen. Cordwainers worked when the sun was up, and may have utilized light from a fireplace, a lit wick candle,  or even a shoemakers lamp (also known as the lacemaker’s lamp) which is a device that uses a candle and a globe of water.

The tools they utilized depended on the style of the footwear, typically they would have used a hammer, ruler, knives, pincers, tacks (nails), sewing needles and thread, and a rubbing tool (for burnishing metal).  Shoe prices ranged from a crown to over a pound, with riding boots costing as much as £2. The average cost of shoes was 5 shillings and sixpence, about a day's wages for the typical Journeyman. This implies that purchasing a pair of shoes didn’t exceed a day's wages, making it feasible to buy up to four pairs annually.

Historically, Master Cordwainers typically didn’t travel extensively. Their reputation and business were often established in a specific location where they chose to set up their shop(s) to conduct most of their business. Historically, Journeymen were more likely to travel, as the name comes from the French word journee , meaning a day's work or the distance traveled in a day. Journeymen were skilled workers who had completed their Apprenticeships, but hadn’t yet settled down to establish their own shop(s) or become a Master. As part of their Journeyman years, traveling was a typical part of their career progression, allowing them to gain more experience from different Masters, and find work. This period of travel, was known as the Wanderjahre  (wandering years) in some cultures, especially in Europe. Years as a Journeyman varied, and largely depended on how fast they were able to Master the craft of Shoemaking. In any case, if a Master Cordwainer or a Journeyman traveled, typically they would have traveled to neighboring villages and towns, with some perhaps traveling throughout the country (or even abroad in certain exceptions).  Apprenticeships typically lasted as low as 7 years or until they were age 21, starting the day they became an Apprentice which was typically between ages 11-13, and they  couldn’t marry until they completed their Apprenticeship to their Master.

During the early 18th c. Master Cordwainers chose to either set up a small shop in somewhere like a city or (most typically) inside their own home, but by the late 18th c. they expanded into Cottages and finally into Warehouses. Within these Cottages Cordwainers are said to have worked together, sharing the expenses of supplies and creating shoes that satisfied their unique customer bases. Throughout the 18th c. Shoemaking was a flourishing business, and certainly many were Apprenticed to a Master Cordwainer, but by the early 19th c. this changed with  the introduction of mass manufacturing of shoes.

It is unclear what day Thomas Holmes Jr. was born, but he was born in 1718, baptized in Nov. 9th, and at age 21 married   Mary J. Neal in  Dec. 21st 1739  (completing his Apprenticeship to his father). His indenture wasn’t located but it likely never existed, as it was viewed as unnecessary whenever a son was Apprenticed to his father, which was typical back then. The book likely made its way to him  from Ann Brown (16??-17??) around between her last dated inscription in May 29th 1737 and when he married in Dec. 21st 1739. Perhaps, she went to the Church in Burbage to attend the marriage, as per  1620 BCP ¶ At the day appoynted for folemnization of Matrimonie, the perfons to bee married fhall come into the body of the Church, with their friends and neighbours. And there the Prieft shall fay thus. Her numerous inscriptions throughout, some of which are in the BCP, indicate she read through the book.

The binding is likely earlier but dated no later than 1743, per earliest ownership inscriptions on the rear blue pastedown, as everything earlier was discarded during rebinding. Logically, this would have  taken place between his birthday (either Nov. 9th or before) and in Dec. 31st 1743, as he had to be age 25 to inscribe what’s on the rear blue pastedown (1743 the date on top minus 25 the number on bottom equals 1718 the year of his birth). It is unclear if  in 1743 he was still a Journeyman, but if he was, he would have likely traveled to  villages and towns within Wiltshire , but he may have even traveled around England or abroad. Or  perhaps he was already a Master Cordwainer  working alongside his father inside their home shoe shop at the north end in Burbage, Wiltshire, England (perhaps he did some traveling as well). After his father died in 1751 he would immediately have the home shoe shop, and overtime the business expanded into a Cottage. The following info is from  The  National Archives,  held by  The Wiltshire & Swindon History Center, and is  occasionally updated with more.

Release in fee (1) Stephen Dove, the younger, of Burbage, yeoman, (2) Thomas Holmes of Burbage, cordwinder. Three lugs of ground set out of an arable ground called Church Sands, that is to say, 8 ft. in breadth at the south end, one lug and a quarter in breadth at the north end and 3½ lugs long, in Burbage. Consideration £2.2s. Rent 2s. Date: 7 March 1719 lease for a year missing.  ( Reference: 9/6/88)

Release in fee (1) John Thompson otherwise Hunt of Burbage, yeoman, William Thompson otherwise Hunt of the same place, yeoman, Richard Thompson otherwise Hunt of the city of Winchester, gardener, John Neale of Burbage, yeoman, and Sarah, his wife, and Thomas Holmes of the same place, cordwainer, and Eleanor, his wife, (the said John, William and Richard Thompson, Sarah and Eleanor being brothers and sister and joint devisees of the will of their late brother, Francis Thompson, otherwise Hunt, (2) Amor Smith of Everley, cordwainer. Tenement with barn and enclosed arable ground belonging (3a.) called the New Inclosure, situate in Burbage; also a piece of ground in the East Sands (1a.35 lugs). Consideration: £250. 3 November 1739 lease for a year missing.  ( Reference: 9/6/390)

In July 30th 1784 and Sep. 29th 1787 Thomas Holmes Jr. had a Cottage in manor of Burbage Darells. ( References: 9/6/628 & 637)

In conclusion, Thomas Holmes Jr. &/or Sr. are the two likely non-bookbinders  but, there’s still a possibility that this was done by someone else in Burbage, elsewhere in Wiltshire, further afield, or even abroad.

The  Crudely Executed One-Off  Binding,  Indicates A Non-Bookbinder .

E xperts consider this binding to be a one-off. One-offs  are  bindings that were perhaps not done by a professional  and only once , it is also generally hard to locate when and who did the binding and its additions (especially if undatable). Experts agree that while a professional can  have many ways of solving a particular issue, they don’t see why a professional in this one would crudely execute the rebinding and its additions (these additions are undatable): unevenly cut leather, lack of boards, stab-sewing over traditional sewing,  lack of endbands , and   blind tooled decorations, brilliant brass furniture with center leather clasp .   Sonya notes that  the person who put this together was not a bookbinder and simply used an old cover and stabbed the pages together to fit into the current cover, which it did not do very well.  Philippa notes that professionals always had boards lying around and were easily accessible, but a non-bookbinder  had little reason to. The binding may seem like a temporary structure, but  it was intended to be permanent one, as indicated  by its additions and lack of features like long sewing supports (which makes it easier for rebinding).  The binding wasn’t found in  The British Library Bookbindings Database, and seems to not be in any of the Wiltshire Museums contacted, therefore it is likely the only one.

Experts agree  the non-bookbinder   was  in a rush (indicated by its  excised raised bands)  and had limited or no access to specific bookbinding tools, using whatever he had even if it meant combining different tools to create a specific tool.  The rush likely explains  why substantial debris and a few sewing needles were found in the gutters. These sewing needles seem like they wouldn’t have been able to fall through the tight gutters after stab-sewing, and perhaps indicates that Thomas Holmes Jr. owned the book for some time prior to rebinding. Interestingly, these needles were used to lightly scratch an X  next to certain verses and were also used to pierce through the paper as bookmarks.   Despite the tight gutters the book was still able to lie down flat or on a lap and read through somewhat comfortably.  Interestingly,  there were specks of white paint on the binding and a fingerprint on the spine, it is unclear whose they were and when they occurred.

Schön  notes there are no early directories listing any bookbinders, printers, or even booksellers at Burbage, and that there may have been many other bookbinders who didn’t pay to advertise in local directories.  S uggesting that it is possible the book was rebound  by someone who didn’t necessarily call themselves a bookbinder, or who carried on a variety of different or associated trades.  Schön  further notes that the early 18th c. had a thriving market in secondhand goods like clothes and books, with loads of tools and stock from deceased, bankrupt, or impoverished traders being sold in local auctions regularly. Including paper making items like moulds (even with the makers name), that were sold and exchanged, and perhaps away from the original owner at some distance.  At this point it may seem like a contradiction, for how can there have been a non-bookbinder  who had limited or no access to specific bookbinding tools, if loads of them were sold in local auctions and markets regularly? But this is due to the fact that access to any bookbinding tool depended on the following: their location (perhaps they lived in a town or village where there weren’t any bookbinders), their priorities (perhaps they were already involved in another trade and weren’t heavily invested in bookbinding and just did them on the side), the availability of specific tools (perhaps it just wasn’t available for some reason, especially for something like Rolls, which the binding indicates was the case), or the specific tool wasn’t available at the right price (perhaps they had a family and money was tight). 

T o illustrate this with an example from Wiltshire in the early 18th c., Edward Easton (died in 1795) and his successors operated a fairly successful business as booksellers, printers, publishers, and bookbinders in Salisbury around 1720, notably specializing in the resale of secondhand books. In 1731, Salisbury's Corporation compensated Edward Easton £1.11s for bookbinding services, though it remains unclear whether the tasks were completed in-house or contracted out. According to the 1790’s Universal British Directory, the Easton family, identified as Bookseller & Stationer , were listed alongside a bookbinder named Andrew Gilmour, who might have been among multiple bookbinders in the city between 1793-98. The directory also lists bookbinders in Salisbury (Andrew Gilmour), Trowbridge (Edward Sweet a Printer & Binder; Thomas Long a Printer and Bookseller), and Warminster (Thomas Langford, Bookbinder; Yockney, S. a Printer, & c.), suggesting a wider network of such tradespeople in the region. When Edward's nephews, Edward and James, took over the business, they advertised themselves as Bookseller, Binder & Stationer . However, James faced bankruptcy, likely due to a local bank's failure, leading to the sale of his Stock…Counters, Desks and other appendages  including potentially leather tooling equipment and other tools. Despite losing some assets, and perhaps retaining some of the tools of his trade, he managed to restart his business two years later in 1813. It's important to note that their business wasn’t the only one in Salisbury at the time, as Robert Moody's article on the Easton family notes that, Salisbury's shops were patronised by customers living not only in the city but in quite distant parts of the surrounding country [i.e. countywide] .

David Pearson in his book opens a window into the 18th c. that may explain why the book was rebound the way it was. Throughout most of the handpress period, the majority of books sold in bindings with non-flimsy boards - i.e. of wood, pasteboard or millboard - did not constitute cheap or temporary structures, in the sense understood in this chapter, even if the covering material was vellum rather than leather. Towards the end of that period, during the eighteenth century, a confluence of economic factors led to an increasing need to experiment with the traditional formats of bookbinding, and a corresponding blurring of the boundaries between the permanent and the temporary. While book production steadily increased, and customer demand rose in line with growing levels of literacy, the cost of raw materials increased also. Leather, in particular, became increasingly expensive. The list of agreed prices for binding work issued in the name of the bookbinders of London and Westminster in 1744 includes a preamble about “the exorbitant prices that leather now bears by the scarceness of that commodity”, and in 1768 a notice in the London Chronicle stated that the scarcity of leather has occasioned so great an increase in the price of binding, that the booksellers find it impossible to serve their customers at the usual prices...Gentlemen [are encouraged] to have their books done up in boards, or sewed in blue paper.

The Binding Indicates Either German Or English.

Sonya notes the sewing had German  characteristics and  the blind tooling leans towards German, and that while  it is unusual for the English to  catch onto the upper cover  there are examples out there, further noting that this is either an 18th c. English  or Pennsylvania Dutch binding. Historically, German bookbinders normally attached clasps onto the lower cover and catched onto the upper cover, while in England and France it was the reverse.  The  centerpiece symbols on the covers  are perhaps apotropaic , and resemble the decorations found on German and Pennsylvania Dutch farms, furniture, and other belongings (a tradition  well rooted in Germany and Switzerland). However,  Philippa notes that if this was a German binding he would expect the spine to be very rounded not flat, and finds the idea of this being an English binding reasonable based on the research presented to him. Further noting that  since this is a  one-off  perhaps the non-bookbinder  didn’t know or care which way to attach the clasp as long as it functioned.

Interestingly, during  the early 18th c.  there  took place   one of the most historical mass  migrations  in English history (to learn more see video:  bbc bitesize migration 2 palatines online v3).  Schön  notes there aren’t any references to any German Palatine community or family settling in Wiltshire in the archive catalogues, indexes, and bibliographies of Wiltshire histories. Furthermore, Robert Moody’s article mentioned earlier also lists the apprentices of the Easton family, but none that suggests a German Palatine during the 1790’s.

The Order The Additions Were Done In & Its Crude  Execution,  Indicates A Non-Bookbinder .

Furniture was normally attached after tooling, but the opposite was done here due to the absence of blind tooling on the covers underneath where the furniture was except where the strap plate was. This can explain why the upper covers top right cornerpiece and the lower covers strap plate and leather strap are chipped, but there’s a  possibility  the furniture was simply reused and already chipped.

In England clasps were normally done by professional metal workers and then attached by professional bookbinders, but this isn’t the case here.  The catchplate done here was shy from the upper covers edge and had an uneven hook, overtime with use the strap plate and  leather strap shifted on its left side toward the lower covers edge due to the uneven pulling, dragging the nail along with it as well. Interestingly,  the lower covers bottom left cornerpiece has four nails and not the typical three.

In England bookbinder tools were normally made by professional metal workers and not by bookbinders, but this isn’t the case here as well. Philippa notes many  blind tooling  irregularities like the lower covers extra vertical, variations in impressed lines, inner panels spacing, and overall cover designs  indicate a non-bookbinder .  Further noting that he  seems to have  thought up the pattern himself  by combining different tools to create  a single arch-shaped tool to form the centerpieces and frame the inner panels, and another tool to make straight lines (which he notes that only non-bookbinder s wouldn’t have access to these Rolls to make these straight lines).  Perhaps it was completed with the edges cut and painted black, as  indicated  by  the PGB’s quire (Hh8v) where the two penciled numbers are slightly cut, but this was likely done by one of Joseph Townsends’ children, therefore it is an unreliable indicator.  While there isn’t much else known about Joseph Townsend , perhaps some of these additions were done during the time he owned this book between 1793 and 1850. Judging by his inscriptions he seemed to be a bit curious about the book, and was likely curious about its binding as well.

Another owner of this book, right before Joseph Townsend, was a Yeoman farmer named William Noyes,  perhaps some of these additions were done during the time he owned this book . Historically, rural communities were organized into a three-level hierarchy, starting with landowners at the top (including nobles, gentry, and yeomen), followed by tenant farmers, and at the bottom, farm workers or laborers. Yeomen formed a respected and honorable middle class in the countryside. They were ranked below the nobility and gentry but above tenant farmers, craftsmen, and farm laborers. Essentially, yeomen were small landowners of typical origin, ranked lower than gentlemen, who farmed their own land. The extent of wealth and land size among yeomen varied, with many being affluent enough to hire servants and laborers, some even leased land to the gentry.  Yeoman and husbandman were slowly replaced in the late 18th and early 19th c. with farmer.

Philippa  notes that workers  in an agricultural environment had access to plenty of leather, spare metal, and nails.

Lastly, it may well be that all of these additions were done by Thomas Holmes  Jr. &/or Sr.  right after the book was rebound, or later on when Thomas Holmes Jr. was still the owner of this book.

Sources:  Revolutionary War Journal |  Dooley, William H.  A Manual of Shoemaking & Leather & Rubber Products. Little, Brown, & Company, 1912.  |  Pearson, David. p.159. English Bookbinding Styles: 1450-1800: A Handbook. Oak Knoll Press, 2014.  |  Moody, Robert. *WAM*, vol. 101, 2008, p. 238, 242, 244-245. The Easton Family of Salisbury: Booksellers, Printers & Publishers c.1720-1839. |  Rogers, K.H., editor. p. 3, 32, 37, 40, 41, 57, 61. Early Trade Directories of Wiltshire. Wiltshire Record Society, Trowbridge, 1992. |  Barfoot, P., & J. Wilkes, editors. Universal British Directory. 1793-98.  

Collation With Notes

 

Complete, with three original title pages. Lacks first 10 ff. Sig. A? fragment of conjugate leaves mounted on B8. Horizontal chain lines. Alternating water marks. (BCP): A8 ([A1r] as T.P.), B8 (B1-2), C8, D10, E8, F8, G8, H8, I8, K8, L8, M8, N8, O8, P8, Q8, R8, S10, T8, U8 ([U5r] as PGB T.P.), X8, Y8, Z8, Aa8, Bb8, Cc8, Dd8, Ee8, Ff8, Gg8, Hh8. (NT): A8 ([A1r] as T.P.), B8, C8, D8, E8, F8, G8, H8, I8, K8, L8, M8, N8, O8, P8, Q8, R8, S8, T8, U8, X8, Y8, Z8, Aa8, Bb8, Cc8, Dd8, Ee8, Ff8, Gg8, Hh8, Ii8, Kk8, Ll8, Mm8, Nn8, Oo8, Pp8, Qq8, Rr8, Ss8, Tt8, Uu8 (ends Uu8v). (WBP): A8 ([A1r] as T.P.), B8, C8, D8, E8, F8, G8, H8, I8, K8, L8, M8. [484]; [2], 686; [192] pp. (1,364 pages). [242]; [344]; 96 ff. (682 ff).

 

Darlow & Moule 245. Herbert 318. STC 2910. ESTC S90983 records 8 copies in North America, with 10 copies in Britain. WorldCat records 2 copies. OCLC records 1 copy. Auction records show only 1 copy in 2010. The 1612 NT in quarto is a close reprint of the 1611 NT in folio, while correcting obvious mistakes that were made in the 1611 like Mark VII. 4 a marginal note. It has been observed that in every case, except Luke X. 36, the 1612 agrees with the 1611 folio edition over the 1613/1611 folio edition. Misprinted in John XIX. 19 reading tile  not title .

 

Stephen Tabor a Curator of Rare Books from the Huntington Library noted that the 1620 BCP and 1622 PGB (printed in black only) look  like ESTC S93862 & STC 16359 based on the following evidence: The BCPs (D5v) state prayers omit issue  for King James, Prince Charles, Prince Frederick, and Lady Elizabeth .  The PGB’s 1622 date, printers, and (Hh8v) final leafs setting of Cambridge’s copy match. The 1621 WBP is ESTC S705 & STC 2572.3. 

 

Many leaves are typically lacking or defective at the front (BCP) or rear (WBP) and rarely are these two items bound in. ESTC shows 18 institutional copies world wide with 2 imperfect copies bound with these items in Britain and New Zealand.

 

The University of Birmingham of Britain. An attractive yet worn 19th c. gilt tooled binding with all edges gilt and bound with 1620 BCP, 1620 PGB, and 1620 WBP. Notes: BCP and PGB printed in red and black. In this variant quire C is in an earlier setting. C1r heading has Morning and Eue-.  ESTC S123010 & STC 16354. The 1620 BCP lacks quires A, B, & D with t.p. (24 ff), along with worming slightly affecting text.

 

The National Library of New Zealand by the John Kinder Theological Library. A worn late 18th  c./ early 19th c. gilt tooled brown calf binding with all red edges and bound with 1618 BCP, 1618 PGB, and 1619 WBP. Notes: BCP and PGB not printed in red and black.  ESTC S124790 & STC 16349.7. The 1618 BCP lacks quire A with t.p. in pen facsimile dating it 1618 (8 ff), along with the 1619 WBP lacking the last 10 ff. All margins cut including paper and text loss with soiled red edges.

 

“The first quarto New Testament came out this year (1612). It is a handsome book, printed in rather heavy black letter type on good paper. It has a man, a lion, an ox, and an eagle, at the corners of the title page, without pictures of the Evangelists, and “Fides” and “Hvmilitas” represented by full length female figures at the sides. “The names and order of all the Bookes of the New Testament, with the number of their Chapters” is on verso. There is no preliminary matter. One would suppose that the Testament of 1631 was a re-issue of this book, but close investigation shows that although both read together, and appear to be printed from the same type, there are minute differences in the setting up; for instance, the fourth line of S. Matt. i. 2 reads in the 1612, “Abraham begat Isaac, and”; but the 1631 has, “Abraham begat Isaac, and I-.” (Dore, J. R. Old Bibles: Or an Account of the Early Versions of the English Bible. Eyre and Spottiswoode, 1888.)

 

The 1622 Psalter of the Great Bible, 1612 New Testament, and the 1621 Whole Book of Psalms title pages are within the woodcut border.  The woodcut border contains emblems of the Evangelists (man angel, winged lion, winged ox, and eagle) and figures of Fides and Humilitas, the Royal Coat of Arms for the Kingdom of England and Ireland featured in the top center are King James I and indicates that he authorized the Authorized Version. Interestingly, the woodcut title border resembles the certain editions of the Geneva and Bishops’ Bibles, and stand alone New Testaments. The final title pages’ woodcut border contains two seated baby cherubim angles with one blowing bubbles and the other holding an hour glass leaning on a skull and bone, and between them an open clamshell, with the rest of the woodcut border containing numerous fruits and plant leaves.

 

The text is printed in Black letter type and Roman type, in single column. Headlines are in Roman type. Book titles are in Roman and Italic type. There are marginal Old Testament, Apocrypha, and New Testament references in Roman type with a note in Black letter type and Roman type. There are  3 typographical ornaments, 1 headpiece, 2 tailpieces, 226  historiated or floriated initials, and  202  Bold face type initials. The Book of Common Prayer comprises of:  ❧ The order how the reft of holy Scripture (befide the Pfalter) is appointed to bee read. ¶ Proper Leffons to be read for the firft  Leffons, both at Morning and Euening prayer, on the Sundayes throughout the yeere, and for fome alfo the fecond Leffon.   ❡   An Act for the vniformity of Common prayer, and Seruice in the Church, and Adminiftration of the Sacraments.   ☙   THE ORDER WHERE Morning and Euening prayer fhall be vfed and faid.   ❡   Here followeth the Letany, to be vfed vpon Sundayes, Wednefdayes, and Fridayes, and at other times when it fhall be commanded by the Ordinary. ¶ The Collects, Epiftles and Gofpels, to be vfed at the celebration of the Lords Supper, and holy Communion through the yeere.  ☙   The order for the Adminiftration of the Lords Supper, or Holy Communion.   ¶ The miniftration of Baptifme to be vsed in the Church. ❡  The order of confirmation, or laying on of hands vpon children baptized, and able to render an account of their faith, according to the Catechifme following. ¶ The forme of folemnization of Matrimony. ¶ The order for the vifitation of the Sicke. ¶ The Communion of the ficke.  ☙   The order for the buriall of the dead. ¶ The thankfgiuing of Women after Childbirth, commonly called, The Churching of Women.  ☙   A Commination againft finners, with certaine prayers to be vfed diuers times in the yeere.  ☙  Godly  prayers.

 

On the recto is a title page in Roman type  THE Pfalter or Pfalmes of DAVID, after the Tranflation of the great BIBLE: Pointed as it fhall be fung or fayd in Churches. ¶ Imprinted at London by BONHAM NORTON and IOHN BILL, Printers to the Kings moft Excellent Maieftie. Anno: 1622.   There are 150 Psalms of David. The text is printed in Black letter type, in single column, verse form, verse numbers indented in matching type. Headlines and Latin psalm titles are in Roman type. There are  62  historiated or floriated initials at the start, and  88  Bold face type initials indented over 2 lines at the start. The Psalter comprises of:  ¶ The Pfalmes of Dauid. ¶ Certaine godly prayers to be vfed for fundry purpofes.

 

On the recto is a title page in Roman and Italic type  THE New Teftament of our Lord and Sauiour IESVS CHRIST. ¶ Newly Tranflated out of the Originall Greeke: And with the former Tranflations diligently compared and reuised, By his Maiesties fpeciall commandement.  ¶ Imprinted at London by Robert Barker , Printer to the Kings moft Excellent Maieftie. 1612.  On the verso of the New Testament title page includes the table of contents under a beautifully executed typographical ornament  ¶ The names and order of all the Bookes of the New Testament, with the  number of their Chapters.  At the start of the Gospel of Saint Matthew is a large beautiful headpiece neatly sitting above the title of the book. The text is printed in Black letter type, in single column, verse form, verse numbers indented in matching type. Headlines, book titles with chapter numbers, summaries, and supplied words are in Roman type, except the headlines inner corner chapter numbers are in Italic type. There are 777 marginal Old Testament, Apocrypha, and New Testament Roman type references and Italic type notes. Single rules between chapters and double rules between each book. There are 28 historiated or floriated initials indented over 5-6 lines at the start of each book, and 260 Bold face type initials indented over 2 lines at the start of each chapter. Found within the text and margins are figures and marks like the reversed P pilcrows to mark paragraphs,  †  daggers for marginal notes offering a more literal translation in Italic type,  ||  double vertical bars for marginal notes offering an alternative translation in Italic type, * asterisks or stars offering references to other agreeable passages within the Bible in Roman type. On the verso of the final leaf the text is separated by a single rule with the Colophon below it in Roman and Italic type  ¶ IMPRINTED AT LONDON by Robert Barker , Printer to the Kings moft excellent Maieftie. ANNO DOM. 1612.  ❡   Cvmprivilegio.

 

On the recto is a title page in Roman type  THE VVHOLE BOOK OF PSALMES : Collected into Englifh meeter, by  THOMAS STERNHOLD, IOHN HOPKINS, and others . Conferred with the Hebrew: with apt notes to fing them withall. Iames. V.  ❡   If any be afflicted, let him pray; and if any be merry; let him fing Pfalmes . LONDON, ¶ Printed for the Companie of Stationers . 1621.  The text is printed in Black letter type, in double columns, with evenly indented verses, verse numbers and stanzas, with musical staves. The titles at the top center of the page, the numbered leaves at the top corner, the chapter numbers at the inner corner, the psalms expositions or summaries are in Roman type.   The English and Latin psalm titles, and occasionally a word reference in the psalms’ expositions or summaries are in Italic type. There are 3 historiated or floriated initials indented over 4-8 lines at the start, and  180  Bold face type initials indented over 2 lines at the start. The Psalms comprises of:  THE PSALMES OF DAVID.  Ending with  A Table both of the number of the whole Pfalms, and alfo in what leaf you may finde every of them.

 

Condition

 

Leaves about 7.5”-8” Tall x 7” Wide. All leaves (mostly bleached) & pastedowns washed & resized. Some staining retained & slightly gray cast in places. Edges rough with tiny chips & tears; tears & paper loss were mended (noted only in length  below) & all gutters reinforced with j.t.p. Some iron gall ink underlining, markings, inscriptions; with blue pen markings on pages 159, 191, 239. Margins with varying worm trails; barely touching text in places of the NT.

 

BCP:  B3-M8 slightly stained;  B3-8 remargined & outer 4 rust holes decreasing in size; D8 head slight tear; D10 (.75”) tail inner corner edge strengthened; D9 in text tiny rust hole; F1 (1.125”) outer tear; F7 (.375”) head tear not mended; G1 (1.5”) outer tear slightly in text; H6 (.125”) tail rust hole; I1 (.875”) tail corner tear; L6 (1.5”) tail edge strengthened; L8 inner tear slightly costing letter; M5 tail corner strengthened; N5 (.25”) tail corner tear not mended; Q3 (2.5”) outer paper loss & tail slightly cut; Q4 in text tiny paper & text loss; Q5 (.375”) in text hole costing 12 letters; Q5 four slight outer tears; Q8 tail corner slight paper loss not mended; U3 (.75”) outer tear; U4 head & outer two tiny rust holes with head recornered; X1 (3.75”) tail edge strengthened & (.625”) outer tear unmended; X3 (.625”) outer tear into note & tiny paper loss; X5 (2.875”) tail strengthened; X7 tail deckled; Y3 (.375”) outer tear; Y5 tail corner strengthened; Y6/Aa2 head corner strengthened; Aa2 (1”) tail edge strengthened; Aa3 (1.5”) tail edge strengthened; Bb6-7 tail mutilated; Cc8 (.5”) outer tear; Dd2 (2”) outer edge strengthened; Dd7 (.1875”) outer edge half hole & (2.1875”) tail edge strengthened; Ee4 tail deckled; Ee7 (.25”) outer edge rust hole & (1”) head edge strengthened; Ff1 (2”) head edge strengthened & (.25”) in text hole partially costing 4 letters; Ff6 (.25”) tail inner corner edge strengthened; Ff8 (1.25”) tail strengthened; Gg2 (.25”) in text rust hole partially costing 4 letters; Gg3 (1.25”) tail inner corner edge strengthened & tail corner strengthened; Gg6 (.75”) tail edge strengthened; Hh6 (.25”) tail tear; Hh7 (.4375”) outer tear. BCP (Hh6)-NT (A8) a (3”) stain originating at A2v-A2r & quickly fading. NT:  A1 edges strengthened; B1 (.375”) in text circularly surface skinned partially costing 9 letters; B2/6/D2 tail recornerd; E5-6/G4 in text tiny rust holes;  F2 tail deckled; G6 (1”) inner corner tear & head into text tear; G8 (.125”) tail rust hole partially costing letter; I2-6 gutters center needle rust hole; K5 (2.375”) outer paper loss; K8 outer remargined & two (.25”) holes costing notes’ few letters; L2 outer tiny paper loss; L5 tail deckled slightly; M7-N3 (.25”) head iron gall ink stain; N3 (.5”) tail paper loss; P1 tail remargined; P2 (1.25”) tail paper loss; P8 (.5”) head corner tear; U2 tail recornered partially costing catchwords’ 3 letters; U4 tail two (.375”) tears; Y3 outer tiny hole; Z6 tail corner strengthened; Aa1 (.375”) tail tear; Bb4/7 tail deckled slightly; Bb8 tail & in text (.125”) two rust holes partially costing 2 letters; Cc2/7 tail deckled slightly; Dd4 tail slightly cut; Dd5 tail inner corner slight paper loss; Ff4 (.75”) outer tear; Ff6 (.375”) head tear; Ff8 (1.75”) outer tear slightly into text; Gg1 tail deckled slightly; Gg5 (1”) outer tear; Hh3 (.0625”) in text rust hole partially costing letter & (.375”) tail tear; Ii1 (.125”) in text rust hole partially costing letter & (.5”) outer tear; Ii7 (.25”) rust stain; Ii8 (2”) tail edge strengthened; Kk3 (.0625”) head inner corner rust hole partially costing letter; Kk5/Ll1 in text tiny rust hole; Kk5 two (.25”) outer tears & (2.75”) of edge strengthened; Kk6 (1.125”) outer edge strengthened; Kk8 tail minor deckling; Ll2-3 (.5”) tail inner corner stain; Ll5 tail deckled slightly; Mm1 (1.25”) tail inner corner & (1”) tail tear into text; Mm7 (.25”) outer tear & tiny paper loss; Nn5-Nn8 center headlines with paper loss & slight text loss, restored with expert pen facsimile; Nn6 (.125”) outer rust hole; Oo4 lightly stained; Pp8 (.375”) tear into page number with tiny loss; Q4-5 tail deckled slightly; Qq6 (1.25”) outer paper loss; Rr7 tail deckled slightly; Ss3 (.5”) in text circularly surface skinned costing 5 letters; Ss8/Tt3/Tt6/Uu3 tail deckled; Tt8 (1”) tail paper loss; Uu2 two (.0625”) in text rust holes partially costing 4 letters; Uu8 (.25”) gutter paper loss. WBP:  A1 head corner strengthened; A2 outer (4.25”) edge strengthened; A3/8 tail corner strengthened; A4 outer (2.25”) edge strengthened; A3-8 head corner strengthened; A7 recornered losing number & 3 letters; B1 outer two tiny tears; B2 outer (2.375”) edge strengthened; B3 outer (1.5”) edge strengthened; B4-5 outer edge strengthened; B7-8 inner corner recornered; C1 head recornerd; C2 tail deckled slightly; C6 (.125”) rust hole; C7-8 head corner strengthened; C8 inner head corner slight paper loss; D1-8 tail slightly cut & outer remargined with tiny text losses at border in places; E7/F7 head corner strengthened; F2 tail deckled slightly; F7 tail corner strengthened; G1-5 head (.1875”) iron gall ink stain; G3/7 head corner strengthened; G6 tail corner strengthened; H8 tail deckled slightly; H7-L1 small iron gal ink stain; K1/8 tail corner strengthened; K4 (.1875”) rust hole costing 3 letters; K1-8 head corner strengthened; L5 outer (.875”) tear into text; L1-7 head minor paper loss; L1-M8 remargined with minor text loss to last 7 leaves; M1-M8 gutters four stab sewn holes visible; M2-8 three in text rust holes increasing in size with minor text loss.

  • Binding: Fine Dark Brown Tanned Limp Calf Leather
  • Place of Publication: London
  • Signed: Yes
  • Publisher: Robert Barker, Bonham Norton, John Bill, Company Of Stationers
  • Subject: Religion & Spirituality
  • Original/Facsimile: Original
  • Year Printed: 1612
  • Language: English
  • Special Attributes: Single Column, 1612 New Testament, 1620 Book Of Common Prayer, 1622 Psalter Of The Great Bible, 1621 The Whole Book Of Psalms, First Edition, Provenance
  • Author: God
  • Region: Europe
  • Topic: Christianity, Bibles
  • Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
  • Character Family: Jesus Christ

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