BIBLE IN ENGLISH [THE "WICKED" BIBLE]. 'THE HOLY BIBLE CONTAINING THE OLD TESTAMENT AND THE NEW. NEWLY TRANSLATED OUT OF THE ORIGINALL TONGUES, AND WITH THE FORMER TRANSLATIONS DILIGENTLY COMPARED AND REVISED, BY HIS MAJESTIES SPECIALL COMMANDEMENT; APPOINTED TO BE READ IN CHURCHES.' LONDON: ROBERT BARKER … AND BY THE ASSIGNES OF JOHN BILL, 1631

8vo (6 3/8 x 4 in.; 162 x 101 mm). General title within woodcut border depicting the 12 tribes of Israel, the 12 Apostles, the 4 Evangelists, the Holy Spirit and the Paschal Lamb, woodcut arms of James I on the verso, New Testament title-page within identical border, pictorial headpieces at the beginning of each book, woodcut initials and tailpieces; general title and dedication leaf bound before the Book of Common Prayer (which lacks its title-page); title-page and dedication soiled, browned, and frayed with closed tears affecting woodcut arms, strong browning throughout, headlines and side-notes cropped, several tears causing significant loss of text or side-notes (Y5, 2F2, 2Y5, 2Z7, 3I5–6, 3K1) and tears cutting through text at 2G5, 3A2, and 3H2. Cambridge-style calf binding paneled in blind, later label on front cover, marbled pastedowns; corners bumped with minor loss, extremities abraded, head of spine slightly chipped.   

[Bound with]: J[ohn]. S[peed]. 'The Genealogies Recorded in the Sacred Scriptures.' [London: Printed by Felix Kingston], 1631. Title within border of printer's ornaments, full-page woodcut illustrations; lacking the map (D²). STC 23039e.9; ESTC S122248

[And with]: [John Downame]. 'A Briefe Concordance to the Bible of the Last Translation. Serving for the More Easie Finding Out of the Most Useful Places Therein Contained. Alphabetically Digested ...' London: [By Humphrey Lownes and Robert Young], 1630. Woodcut device on title-page (McKerrow 404 with altar and motto "Deus providebit"), STC 7126; ESTC S122325

[And with]: Thomas Sternhold, John Hopkins and others. 'The Whole Book of Psalmes: Collected into English Meeter.' London: Printed for the Companie of Stationers, 1631.  Title within border of printer's ornaments, printed music; lacks final two leaves (F7–8) containing Psalms 149–150.

John Ellman Brown,  Shoreman-by-the-Sea, Sussex (bookplate)

STC 2296; ESTC S161; Herbert 444

8vo (6 3/8 x 4 in.; 162 x 101 mm). General title within woodcut border depicting the 12 tribes of Israel, the 12 Apostles, the 4 Evangelists, the Holy Spirit and the Paschal Lamb, woodcut arms of James I on the verso, New Testament title-page within identical border, pictorial headpieces at the beginning of each book, woodcut initials and tailpieces; general title and dedication leaf bound before the Book of Common Prayer (which lacks its title-page); title-page and dedication soiled, browned, and frayed with closed tears affecting woodcut arms, strong browning throughout, headlines and side-notes cropped, several tears causing significant loss of text or side-notes (Y5, 2F2, 2Y5, 2Z7, 3I5–6, 3K1) and tears cutting through text at 2G5, 3A2, and 3H2. Cambridge-style calf binding paneled in blind, later label on front cover, marbled pastedowns; corners bumped with minor loss, extremities abraded, head of spine slightly chipped. [Bound with]: J[ohn]. S[peed]. 'The Genealogies Recorded in the Sacred Scriptures.' [London: Printed by Felix Kingston], 1631. Title within border of printer's ornaments, full-page woodcut illustrations; lacking the map (D2). STC 23039e.9; ESTC S122248[And with]: [John Downame]. 'A Briefe Concordance to the Bible of the Last Translation. Serving for the More Easie Finding Out of the Most Useful Places Therein Contained. Alphabetically Digested ...' London: [By Humphrey Lownes and Robert Young], 1630. Woodcut device on title-page (McKerrow 404 with altar and motto "Deus providebit"), STC 7126; ESTC S122325[And with]: Thomas Sternhold, John Hopkins and others. 'The Whole Book of Psalmes: Collected into English Meeter.' London: Printed for the Companie of Stationers, 1631. Title within border of printer's ornaments, printed music; lacks final two leaves (F7–8) containing Psalms 149–150.
The lot is sold in the condition it is in at the time of sale. The condition report is provided to assist you with assessing the condition of the lot and is for guidance only. Any reference to condition in the condition report for the lot does not amount to a full description of condition. The images of the lot form part of the condition report for the lot provided by Sotheby's. Certain images of the lot provided online may not accurately reflect the actual condition of the lot. In particular, the online images may represent colours and shades which are different to the lot's actual colour and shades. The condition report for the lot may make reference to particular imperfections of the lot but you should note that the lot may have other faults not expressly referred to in the condition report for the lot or shown in the online images of the lot. The condition report may not refer to all faults, restoration, alteration or adaptation because Sotheby's is not a professional conservator or restorer but rather the condition report is a statement of opinion genuinely held by Sotheby's. For that reason, Sotheby's condition report is not an alternative to taking your own professional advice regarding the condition of the lot.

 The "Wicked" Bible, with the notorious omission of the word "not" in the seventh commandment (Exodus 20:14: "Thou shalt commit adultery"). "Specimens are very rare" (Herbert) and therefore extremely desirable in any condition. Only 1,000 copies were printed and upon discovery of the egregious error, most were destroyed on the instructions of Archbishop Laud. Additionally, "Order was given for calling [His Majesty's] Printers into the 'High-Commission,' where upon Evidence of the Fact, the whole Impression was called in, and the Printers deeply fined [said to be 300 pounds], as they justly merited ..." (Peter Heylyn, 'Cyprianus Anglicus,' 1668).