Bible in English

2 parts in one volume, 12mo (6 1/8 x 3 5/8 in.; 155 x 92 mm). Text in double-columns, unpaginated, ornamental border and woodcut arms of Philadelphia on General title-page, Congressional Resolution leaf bound at end of OT, printer's woodcut monogram on title-page verso of New Testament; lacking Leaves Pp6-7 (Jeremiah 8:3-11:8), B3-4 (Matthew 13), and the blank leaf between the Testaments (Aaa6), some minor browning and spotting throughout, a few leaves shaved at fore-margin with loss of some letters (in OT quires G and Oo), a few clean tears, 2 small inkspots on leaf Aa11, leaf Aa3 (OT) and Cc4 (NT) shaved at bottom with loss of quire mark, small dampstain in upper outer corner of first two leaves, leaves Dd2&5 (in NT) shaved at top affecting running headline, last two leaves creased and torn without loss. Original calf thought to be by the publisher; scraped and rubbed, foot of spine torn, lower corners torn. In a maroon morocco drop-box.

Joshua Coit (signature on title dated 1783) — May Learned (signature on title dated 1856, "from L[ydia Coit] L[earned]")

Evans 17473; Herbert 1283; Sabin 5165

lacking Leaves Pp6-7 (Jeremiah 8:3-11:8), B3-4 (Matthew 13), and the blank leaf between the Testaments (Aaa6), some minor browning and spotting throughout, a few leaves shaved at fore-margin with loss of some letters (in OT quires G and Oo), a few clean tears, 2 small inkspots on leaf Aa11, leaf Aa3 (OT) and Cc4 (NT) shaved at bottom with loss of quire mark, small dampstain in upper outer corner of first two leaves, leaves Dd2&5 (in NT) shaved at top affecting running headline, last two leaves creased and torn without loss. Original calf thought to be by the publisher; scraped and rubbed, foot of spine torn, lower corners torn. In a maroon morocco drop-box.
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First edition of the "Bible of the Revolution," the first complete bible in English to be printed in America and the only bible endorsed by Congress.

Before the war, British printers held the royal patent to publish the King James bible, to the exclusion of American printers. During the war, importation of English bibles ceased. When sales of Aitken's edition were threatened by the arrival of peace, Congress passed a resolution on 10 September to protect Aitken's investment.  In true entrepreneurial spirit, Aitken inserted a copy of the resolution here bound just after the old testament.

With points: 1 Timothy 4:16 reading "thy doctrine" for "the"; 2 Kings 7:12 reading "not" for "now"; but Hosea 6 is correctly numbered. This is a very good copy in a contemporary binding whereas known copies (approximately fifty are extant) are often rebound or "found in poor condition of paper, and with narrow margins" (Evans).