About this Item
London: Printed by John Field, Printer to the Parliament and One of His Highness s Printers, 1653, The Pearl Bible . Known as the Pearl Bible because of its size to carry in pockets (William Kilburne). Rare volume listed in the British Library English Short Title Catalogue (R170534) as having four variations with dated and undated New Testament title pages. Attractive two volume set in an early binding. Red calf with elaborate gilt decoration to the spines and both boards, worn with loss to the top of the spine of Vol I. Vol I with pagination up to Psalm 88 verse 8, continued in Vol II Psalm 88 verse 9. All pages with red margins to the page edge containing the text. No pages have the book of the Bible to the top of the page, unsure as to whether this is close cropping, it doesn t appear this is the case as all pages are gilt edged. Just under 5 inches tall by 2 ¾ inches wide it is bound in the original binding. The page edges are all gilt. Carefully collated: Vol I A to Bb in gatherings of 12 pages; Vol II Cc2 to Ddd in gatherings of 12 pages, the British Library calls for Ddd in gatherings of 8 including one final blank, this copy has 5 final blanks, all with the red page marginal lines. Faults: one page with a marginal tear, not impacting the text, some folded corners and marks to the pages as one would expect for volumes that are nearly 400 years old. Provenance: with ownership signatures to the front free end paper dating from 1789 (Sophia Baker) to 1885 (Sophia Trower). Approximately 5 inches tall. Condition Report Externally Spine fair to good condition both spines with gilt titles and decoration, loss to the top of the spine of Vol I, both spines creased down the length. Joints good condition rubbed and worn. Corners good condition worn and bumped. Boards good condition worn and marked, gilt floral decoration. Page edges good condition gilt. See above and photos. Internally Hinges good condition sound. Paste downs good condition marbled. End papers good condition marbled, 2 sets of marbled end papers, different patterns. Title good condition illustrated. Pages good condition see above for collation and Faults . Binding good condition solid. See photos. Publisher: see above. Publication Date: 1653 Binding: Hardback. Seller Inventory # ABE-1653858161515
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