Sep 30, 2010 - Sale 2223

Sale 2223 - Lot 47

Price Realized: $ 2,880
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 1,200 - $ 1,800
THE GUN WAD BIBLE (BIBLE IN GERMAN.) Biblia, Das ist: Die ganze Göttliche Heilige Schrift Alten und Neuen Testaments. [4], 992, 277, [3] pages. Thick small 4to, contemporary calf with clasps, moderate wear, a bit of white scuffing on spine edge; hinges split, lacks front flyleaf, intermittent heavy dampstaining, moderate foxing, a few gatherings quite toned; early inscriptions on front endpapers. Germantown, PA: Christoph Saur, 1776
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The third bible produced by Saur (preceded by editions of 1743 and 1763) but perhaps the most famous. Of the 3000 copies printed, many are said to have been destroyed by the British during the Revolution. "At the invasion of Germantown Mr. Saur fled from the place, and the British troops destroyed nearly all the copies of the Bible, by converting the leaves into litter for their horses, and by using the paper for their cartridges"--Wright, page 47. Darlow & Moule 4240; Evans 14663; Sabin 5194.