ANTIQUE VICTORIAN SCOTTISH HOLY BIBLE
DESCRIPTION
A handsome late nineteenth-century Holy Bible in a compact Ruby 16mo format, bound in richly timeworn dark full leather with raised spine bands, gilt rules, and gilt “Holy Bible” lettering.
Published in London by George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode, Printers to the Queen’s Most Excellent Majesty, this King James Bible contains the Old and New Testaments together with a separately titled section of metrical Psalms approved by the Church of Scotland.
The volume retains a wonderful Scottish bookseller’s label from McPhun’s, Bookseller & Stationer, Argyle Street, Glasgow. A period ownership inscription appears on the front flyleaf.
The combination of its compact form, tactile leather binding, Glasgow provenance, and Church of Scotland Psalms gives this volume considerable decorative and historical presence.
BIBLIOGRAPHIC DETAILS
Title: The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments
Translation: King James Version
Publisher: George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode
Place of publication: London
Date: Undated; circa 1875–1901
Format: Ruby 16mo
Language: English
Additional contents: The Psalms of David in Metre, according to the version approved by the Church of Scotland and appointed for use in worship
BINDING AND DESIGN
The Bible is bound in dark pebbled full leather with five raised bands creating six spine compartments. The spine is decorated with gilt horizontal rules and gilt “Holy Bible” lettering.
The boards have blind-tooled borders, while the interior turn-ins are finished with an attractive gilt geometric design. The page edges are gilt.
SCOTTISH PROVENANCE
A surviving bookseller’s label inside the front cover identifies McPhun’s, Bookseller & Stationer, Argyle Street, Glasgow. A handwritten period ownership inscription appears on the front flyleaf.
A later newspaper clipping was found laid inside the volume and will accompany the Bible as part of its accumulated history.
CONDITION
Good antique condition overall, with considerable authentic wear consistent with age and devotional use.
Both boards remain attached. The leather displays rubbing, scuffing, surface wear, and losses along the edges, corners, spine ends, and raised bands. The gilt spine title and rules remain visible. The gilt page edges show dulling, scratches, and handling wear.
The interior exhibits age toning, scattered foxing and spotting, occasional handling marks, and minor creasing. At least one leaf has a visible short tear or split along its lower margin. There is a small abrasion to the inside pastedown, along with the period ownership inscription noted above.
No page-by-page collation has been performed. The volume is offered as found and as shown in the photographs. Please examine all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description.
MEASUREMENTS
Compact Ruby 16mo format. Exact exterior measurements will be added to the listing when measured.
HOHM PROVENANCE
Selected for HOHM for its compact Victorian form, richly timeworn full-leather binding, Scottish metrical Psalms, and surviving Glasgow bookseller’s label. Together, these details preserve the Bible not merely as a printed devotional text, but as an intimate artifact of nineteenth-century Scottish worship, ownership, and domestic life.
Antique and vintage objects carry the marks of their individual histories. Please review the complete description and all photographs carefully before purchasing. Questions and requests for additional photographs are warmly welcomed before the sale.
SHIPPING
This antique book will be carefully wrapped and securely packed for safe shipment. It will be protected with generous cushioning and fully insured while in transit. Tracking will be included.
RETURNS
Returns are not accepted. Please purchase only after reviewing the complete description, measurements, condition notes, and photographs. Should the item arrive damaged or materially different from its description, please contact me promptly so that the matter can be addressed.
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