Nov 17, 2016 - Sale 2432

Sale 2432 - Lot 58

Price Realized: $ 2,000
?Final Price Realized includes Buyer’s Premium added to Hammer Price
Estimate: $ 2,000 - $ 3,000
THE GUN WAD BIBLE (BIBLE IN GERMAN.) Biblia, das ist: Die ganze Gottliche Heilige Schrift Alten und Neuen Testaments. [4], 992, 277, [3] pages. Thick 4to, contemporary calf, lacking clasps, moderate wear; front hinge split, front free endpapers and first two leaves detached with slight edge wear, minor dampstaining, moderate foxing; early inscriptions on front endpapers including original owner Heinrich Miller of Hempfield, PA. 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.