The Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments: together with the Apocrypha (Bible in English) Americana

First Edition of Isaiah Thomas's Folio Bible. 50 engraved plates. [4], 460; [2], 461-1012pp. Text in two columns. 2 vols. Folio. "The two Thomas Bibles of 1791 were without doubt far in advance of any other publications of the same kind that had appeared in America in point of typography, excellence of paper, binding, and general execution" (Wright). Dubbed "the Baskerville of America" by Benjamin Franklin, Isaiah Thomas issued a folio and a quarto Bible almost simultaneously. Published immediately after the ratification of the Bill of Rights, the folio edition, arguably his magnum opus, opens with a note from Thomas situating it as an important accompaniment to this national development: "The civil authority hath set an example of moderation and candor to all Christians, by securing equal privileges to all; and it must be their ardent and united wish, independently of foreign aid, to be supplied with copies of the sacred Scriptures, the foundation of their Religion a religion which furnishes motives to the faithful performance of every patriotic, civil and social duty." In preparing the work, Thomas compared the language of "not less than eight" significant English Bibles (most but not all of which were printings of the King James translation), and then had every page of the present edition examined by "the Clergymen of Worcester, and other capable persons." In keeping with his patriotism, all the plates are by American engravers, an expensive undertaking: the majority by Joseph Seymour, with others by John Norman, Samuel Hill, and Amos Doolittle. It is unusual to find complete copies with all fifty plates. The plate list, often lacking, is present in this copy. The work was issued either in one volume or in two volumes (as here), the latter including an additional general title page for the second volume bound in as a cancel. A celebrated American Bible from one of the young country s most important printers. Evans 23186; Hills 29; ESTC W4497; Sabin 5172; Wright, Early American Bibles, pages 74-88 Contemporary calf, panelled in gilt and blind, spine with raised bands in six compartments, tooled in gilt on either side of each band, red and black morocco labels, expert repairs. Moderate to heavy foxing, repaired tears to text leaves and plates 50 engraved plates. [4], 460; [2], 461-1012pp. Text in two columns. 2 vols. Folio First Edition of Isaiah Thomas's Folio Bible.