CONDITION:

Original 1837 antiquarian Bible in heavily worn, fragile condition. The leather binding has extensive scuffing, cracking, peeling, flaking and losses, particularly along the spine, corners and edges. The two closure clasps are incomplete and nonfunctional, with portions of the original hardware and leather straps remaining. Pages show substantial age toning, foxing, staining, waviness and scattered edge wear. The gilt page edges are heavily faded and worn. The covers remain present, but the binding and hinges should be handled carefully. This volume has not been collated page by page; completeness and the total number of engraved plates are not guaranteed. Please examine all photographs closely for the exact condition.

DESCRIPTION:

Original 1837 American-printed German-language Martin Luther Bible titled “Die Bibel, oder Die ganze Heilige Schrift des alten und neuen Testaments.”

This is the Zwölfte Auflage, or 12th edition, published in Philadelphia by Georg W. Mentz und Sohn, booksellers located at No. 53 North Third Street. The title page also identifies the book as having been stereotyped by J. Howe.

The volume contains Martin Luther’s German translation of the Old and New Testaments. It is printed in traditional German Fraktur type in two columns and includes engraved biblical illustrations, including the detailed “Der Sündenfall” depiction of Adam and Eve and the Fall of Man.

Notable features include:

• Original 1837 Philadelphia printing

• Martin Luther German translation

• Old and New Testaments

• 12th edition

• Period leather-over-board binding

• Raised spine bands

• Red gilt-lettered “Die Bibel” spine label

• Gilt page edges

• Engraved biblical illustrations

• Remnants of the original two-clasp closure

• Early Pennsylvania German religious and printing history

This is an authentic nearly 190-year-old Bible with considerable age and use. It displays beautifully as an early American religious artifact and would be suitable for an antiquarian book collection, Pennsylvania German collection, church-history collection, display or professional restoration.

The title page and representative interior pages are shown. Because of the book’s age and fragile condition, it has not been checked page by page. Completeness and the total number of illustrations are therefore not guaranteed. Measurements are shown in the photographs.

Please review every photograph carefully, as the photos are an important part of the condition description. The exact Bible pictured is the one the buyer will receive.

ITEM SPECIFICS:

Author: Martin Luther, translator

Title: Die Bibel, oder Die ganze Heilige Schrift des alten und neuen Testaments

Publisher: Georg W. Mentz und Sohn

Printer: Stereotyped by J. Howe

Year Printed: 1837

Edition: 12th Edition / Zwölfte Auflage

Place of Publication: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Language: German

Binding: Leather Hardcover

Original/Facsimile: Original

Country of Origin: United States

Region: North America

Topic: Christianity, Bibles

Subject: Religion & Spirituality

Special Attributes: Illustrated, Gilt Edges, Antique Leather Binding

KEYWORDS:

1837 German Bible, Martin Luther Bible, antique leather Bible, Philadelphia Bible, Georg W Mentz, Mentz und Sohn, Pennsylvania German, Pennsylvania Dutch, Fraktur printing, early American printing, Old Testament, New Testament, Lutheran Bible, antiquarian religious book, illustrated Bible, engraved Bible, gilt edge Bible, clasp Bible, Christian collectible, Americana