The Holy Bible

$8,875 · Offered by Biblio

A superb example of one of the great achievements of the Nonesuch Press: the Holy Bible, comprising the Authorised King James Version together with the Apocrypha, printed between 1924 and 1927 under the direction of Francis Meynell. This set is from the limited issue of 75 copies printed on Arnold unbleached rag paper, the scarcest and most desirable state of this edition, handsomely bound in full niger. The volumes feature engraved title pages and a scheme of beautiful decorative head- and tail-pieces by Stephen Gooden. Of particular interest, this set retains theoriginal Prospectus for the Apocrypha. Conceived initially as a standalone publication, the success of the Apocrypha prompted Meynell to undertake the production of the complete Bible, making the survival of the prospectus with the finished work an especially appealing and uncommon addition. Condition is generally near fine, though with damp-staining to the upper spine and board of the volume containing Samuel to Psalms, minor scuffing to the niger boards consistent with age. Internally, the volumes are clean, bright, and remarkably fresh, with only slight offsetting from the copperplate engravings onto adjacent versos, as to be expected. Altogether, a rare and distinguished set, combining exceptional scarcity and fine press craftsmanship, representing a magnificent and desirable achievement of the Nonesuch Press.

• Publisher: Nonesuch Press
• Year: 1924
• Edition: One of 75 copies printed on Arnold Rag Paper
• Binding: hardcover

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