549-MATTHEWS-ISAIAH51-53
An original 1549 leaf from Matthew’s Bible, printed in English in blackletter type, containing an especially desirable passage from the Book of Isaiah, chapters 51–53.
This is a premium text leaf because it includes substantial portions of Isaiah 52 and 53, one of the most recognizable prophetic passages in the Old Testament and traditionally understood in Christianity as the prophecy of the suffering Messiah.
The leaf includes the celebrated “Man of Sorrows” passage in Isaiah 53, with visible text including:
“He is despised and abhorred of men, he is such a man as is full of sorrow…”
and continuing through the language of suffering and redemption:
“…he was wounded for our offences, and smitten for our wickedness…”
The opposite side contains portions of Isaiah 51–52, including the large ornamental blackletter initials opening chapters LI and LII and the chapter headings:
“The li. Chapter”
“The lii. Chapter”
The typography is particularly attractive, with dense double-column blackletter text, marginal biblical cross-references, ornamental initials, and the characteristic appearance of an early Tudor English Bible.
Matthew’s Bible occupies an important place in the history of the English Bible. First issued in 1537 under the name Thomas Matthew, it combined substantial portions of the translations of William Tyndale and Miles Coverdale and became one of the principal ancestors of the later English Bible tradition.
This leaf comes from the 1549 edition, printed during the reign of Edward VI, only a little more than a decade after the first Matthew’s Bible.
An unusually strong individual leaf for display or collection because the importance of Isaiah 53 gives it considerably greater textual appeal than an ordinary Old Testament leaf from the same volume.
Original 1549 printed leaf with substantial historical wear. The leaf is incomplete, with a large irregular loss to the upper portion, affecting text on both sides. Additional edge losses, small holes, staining, toning, handling wear, and other age-related imperfections are present as shown.
Despite the losses, the principal Isaiah 52–53 text remains extensive and highly legible, including much of the celebrated “Man of Sorrows” passage. Both large ornamental chapter initials are preserved.
Please examine the photographs carefully; they form an important part of the condition description.
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