1785 - Latin Vulgate Bible - 2 Vols

5B; 1785; "Bibliorum sacrorum vulgatae versionis editio, clero gallicano dicata"; "Paris: Excudabat Fr. Amb. Didot Natu Maj."

Notes

The Latin Vulgate Bible is a Latin translation of the Bible completed by St. Jerome in the late 4th century. Commissioned by Pope Damasus I, it was intended to standardize biblical texts across the Western Church by translating Hebrew and Greek scriptures into Latin. The Vulgate became the official Bible of the Roman Catholic Church and was widely used throughout the Middle Ages. Known for its accuracy and clarity, it influenced theology, art, and literature for centuries. Later, the Clementine Vulgate (1592) refined the text and remained the Catholic Church’s standard Bible until the 20th century.

Description

Two volumes. Large quarto, 12.2x9.05 inches. Beautifully bound by Bibelot (signed towards the foot of the spine) in tan calf with broders tooled in blind and decoratd with black fillets and gold dots. Spines with four raised bands, decorated in gilt and blind, black morocco labels lettered in gilt. Gilt turn ins, marbled endpapers. The binding dates to the 1820s. Verso of front free endpaper has the ticket of "Potey, libraire de Monseigneur le duc d'Angoulême." Some browning and staining, particularly to the second volume but overall a lovely copy of this imprtant printing of the Vulgate in a very handsome binding. This version of the Vulgate was printed in two version, one for the laity and the other (of which this is an example) for the clergy. It is printed by Francoise-Ambroise Didot (the second generation of the great Didot family of printers). He was a pioneer of printing methods, invented a new printing press, improved type-founding and was the first to print on vellum. He also standardized type measurement. This beautiful Bible is a testament to his skill and brilliance as a printer.