Dec 01, 2011 - Sale 2263

Sale 2263 - Lot 75

Price Realized: $ 2,160
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 1,500 - $ 2,500
THE FIRST HOT PRESS BIBLE IN AMERICA (BIBLE IN ENGLISH.) The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments. Frontispiece. 3 volumes. Large folio, 17 x 10 1/2 inches, contemporary calf, moderate wear; hinges split, front free endpapers all coming detached but present, related inscription from 1831 book on flyleaf, moderate foxing, index and tables bound at end of Volume II rather than at end; early presentation labels on front pastedowns. With subscriber leaf. Philadelphia: Thompson & Small, "from the hot-press of John Thompson," [1796]-1798
Set Alert for Similar Items

Additional Details

first hot-press edition of the bible printed in america, famous for its clarity of printing. The ink and type were heated and then seared onto the page. This edition is also of note as one of the largest bibles printed in America in its time, issued in 40 parts over two years. With a striking frontispiece engraved by Alexander Lawson. "A beautiful edition, and very well printed"--Sabin 5182. Evans 30066, 31808, and 33408; Hills 62. Provenance: Original owner James Pemberton (1723-1809) of Philadelphia, an important Quaker merchant and abolitionist, appears on the subscriber list; bequeathed in 1809 to his grandson James Pemberton Morris (1795-1834), per presentation labels.