Jun 05, 2008 - Sale 2148

Sale 2148 - Lot 50

Price Realized: $ 66,000
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 30,000 - $ 40,000
THE AITKEN BIBLE (BIBLE IN ENGLISH.) The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments: Newly translated out of the Original Tongues; and with the former Translations Diligently compared and revised. General title, A-Zz12, Aaa-Aaa5; A-Dd6; lacks front free endpaper and the blank between the Old and New Testaments, else complete. 2 volumes in one. 12mo, contemporary panelled sheep, worn and dry, areas of loss to leather on the backstrip, front cover detached; some dampstaining, browning and foxing throughout, bottom corner of the title torn (approximately 60x40-mm loss, affecting imprint and the Pennsylvania Coat of Arms), also corner torn from bottom of rear free endpaper; later owner's signature of S.W. Williams on front pastedown and initials M.E.W. on title page. Philadelphia: R. Aitken, 1782 and 1781

Additional Details

the first printing of the complete bible in english in america. Often referred to as The Bible of the Revolution. No English-language bible had been published in America during the Colonial period, as the copyright to the King James version had been held by the Crown. This is the only Bible ever to be authorized by Congress, with their endorsement appearing following the title. Fewer than 100 copies of the celebrated Aitken Bible are estimated to have survived, and many copies lack the general title as it is bound in as a cancel. Evans 17473, Hills 11, Sabin 5165, Wright pages 51-67.