5RR Old and New Testaments, Printed by John Field. Cambridge, 1659.
Notes
This Bible edition is significant in that it represents a period of transition for English Christianity, as the Protestant Reformation had led to a greater emphasis on accessible translations of the Scriptures in the vernacular. Cambridge University Press, one of the most prominent printing houses in England, had been producing Bibles since the 17th century and was renowned for its high-quality printings. The 1659 edition would have been printed in the tradition of the King James Version (which was first published in 1611) and is part of the legacy of ensuring that the Bible was widely available in English, both for religious and educational purposes.
The Cambridge Edition of the Bible, known for its clarity and accuracy, helped to further cement the importance of the King James translation, which continues to be one of the most influential and enduring versions of the Bible in the English-speaking world. The 1659 edition is a part of that rich history, representing a critical moment in the spread of Christianity and the accessibility of biblical texts to a wider audience during a pivotal moment in history.
Description
Leather covered wooden boards. Gilt details on upper and lower boards. Seven raised bands with ornate gilt details in each compartment. Red leather label with gilt lettering in the second compartment. All edges gilt. Red ruling throughout. Gilt turn ins and dentelles. Some woodblock prints throughout. General scuffing to the upper and lower boards with minor tearing and fraying to the leather at top and bottom of the spine. Bumped corners. Fully intact original binding. Fine condition.
