1611 King James Bible

5B; King James Bible. London: Robert Barker, 1611. First Edition (16 1/4" L, 11" W, 4 11/2" D)

Notes

The first edition of the King James Bible was published in 1611, a monumental project commissioned by King James I of England in 1604. The king ordered a new translation of the Bible to resolve issues arising from earlier versions, particularly the Geneva Bible, which was popular among Protestants but contained marginal notes that challenged the authority of kings—something James, a strong believer in the divine right of monarchs, found politically dangerous. His goal was to produce an authoritative English Bible that would be accepted across the Church of England and help unify religious factions in his kingdom.

The translation was undertaken by a committee of about 50 scholars and clergymen, divided into six groups working at Oxford, Cambridge, and Westminster. They worked from the Hebrew and Greek texts, as well as existing English versions, including the Bishop’s Bible, which served as the base text. The result was not only a theological text but a literary masterpiece, known for its majestic and poetic language. The first edition was printed by Robert Barker, the King's printer, in a large folio format.

Description

The Holy Bible, Containing the Old Testament and the New: Newly Translated out of the Original Tongues. London: Robert Barker [Double-page Map of Canaan and NT Title dated 1611]. Folio (App. 16.25 x 11 in). Black letter, double column, 59 lines to the page, decorative woodcut headpieces and initials, calendar printed in red and black. Bound with John Speed's engraved double-page map of the Holy Land (at front), and 12 of 18 leaves from Speed's Genealogies (interspersed throughout the text). The illustrative genealogies leaves are placed throughout the Old Testament, corresponding to
the relevant text. Signatures: A-B4 C6 D4, A-6D6. Lacking 8 leaves: A1 (general title-page) and D4 (containing last page of The Table and Kalender recto, and The Name and Order of all the Bookes ... verso) in prelims, and 6D2-6 (final 5 leaves, Revelation) in main text; New Testament title-page (5D1) dated 1611 trimmed and mounted.

Note: This is an economical way to acquire a first edition King James Bible. This Bible appears to have been put together from two different copies approximately 60-70 years ago; and rebound at that time. For comparison, other copies tend to start around $70,000 and go upwards of $175,000.