Bible in English [King James Version, 1st Black-Letter Quarto Edition "he"]

4to (8 1/2 x 6 1/8 in.; 216 x 156 mm). Black letter, text in double columns, 71 lines to the full column, New Testament title in heart-shaped center within woodcut border, woodcut initials head-and tailpieces; lacking preliminary quire A including general title, browning and staining throughout but particularly strong in first two quires, some headlines and side-notes shaved, two tears just touching text, two holes costing a few words. Bound before: An imperfect and defective copy of the Book of Common Prayer (lacks all before quire B); and Speed's Genealogies (stained throughout, without the map of Canaan). Bound after: the 1615 edition of Herrey's Concordances (last two leaves defective); and Sternhold & Hopkins' metrical psalms (lacks title-page, badly stained and frayed toward the end). Eighteenth-century tree calf; worn, joints cracked.

William Albin ( several signatures dated 1727, 1729 and 1732) — Theophilus Jones (gift inscription to Thomas G. Evans dated 1867) — Birth records of the Welsh family Evans, 1847–1874 (in one hand on flyleaf) — Christmas Evans (inscription dated 1935; Evans's probable namesake and ancestor was the famous Welsh Noncomformist minister, Christmas Evans, (1766–1838))

STC 2227; ESTC S121317; Herbert 323

4to (8 1/2 x 6 1/8 in.; 216 x 156 mm). Black letter, text in double columns, 71 lines to the full column, New Testament title within heart-shaped center with woodcut border, woodcut initials head-and tailpieces; lacking preliminary quire A including general title, browning and staining throughout but particularly strong in first two quires, some headlines and side-notes shaved, two tears just touching text, two holes costing a few words. Bound before: An imperfect and defective copy of the Book of Common Prayer (lacks all before quire B); and Speed's Genealogies (stained throughout, without the map of Canaan). Bound after: the 1615 edition of Herrey's Concordances (last two leaves defective); and Sternhold & Hopkins' metrical psalms (lacks title-page, badly stained and frayed toward the end). Eighteenth-century tree calf; worn, joints cracked.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
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The first quarto edition of the King James Bible in black letter, with "he" in Ruth 3:15. "This and many subsequent issues were produced in close imitation of those black-letter quarto editions of the Geneva Bible which had proved so popular" (Herbert).