{"product_id":"polyglot-holy-bible-1880s","title":"Polyglot Holy Bible 1880s","description":"\u003cp\u003e6B English Version of the Polyglot Bible. Old and New Testaments with copious and original selection of references to parallel and illustrative passages. London: Samuel Bagster and Sons, ca. 1880s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNotes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Holy Bible has been one of the most widely printed books in history, with the advent of the printing press in the fifteenth century—most notably the Gutenberg Bible—marking a turning point in its dissemination. Over the centuries, English translations such as the King James Version of 1611 became central to religious life in the English-speaking world. By the nineteenth century, advances in industrial printing and publishing greatly increased the availability of Bibles, allowing them to be produced in a wide range of formats. This period saw a shift from purely ecclesiastical texts to volumes intended for personal and household use, reflecting both the growing literacy of the population and the importance of the Bible as a fixture in everyday family life.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe English Version of the Polyglot Bible\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, published in London by Samuel Bagster and Sons circa 1880s, is a distinguished example of nineteenth-century biblical scholarship and printing, designed to make the study of Scripture more accessible through an extensive system of cross-references. This\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e volume presents the English Authorized King James Version alongside carefully arranged references directing readers to related passages throughout the Old and New Testaments. Unlike traditional polyglot Bibles, which print Scripture in multiple languages for comparative study, this English edition emphasizes the connections between biblical texts, allowing readers to explore recurring themes, prophecies, and theological interpretations across different books of the Bible. Samuel Bagster established his London publishing house in 1794 and became internationally renowned for producing scholarly Bibles, particularly his celebrated polyglot editions, which required exceptional precision in typography and page design. The English Version reflects Bagster’s broader ambition to encourage comparative scriptural study while providing a practical devotional resource for English-speaking readers. Its meticulous arrangement of references and association with one of Britain’s foremost nineteenth-century Bible publishers make it an appealing example of Victorian religious publishing and the evolving tradition of biblical scholarship.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDuring the nineteenth century, advances in printing technology and the expansion of commercial publishing led to a remarkable increase in the production of Bibles and prayer books. Improvements in typesetting, paper production, and binding allowed publishers to produce both affordable household editions and finely crafted personal copies. Many volumes from this period were issued with decorative leather bindings, gilt-edged pages, elaborate tooling, and marbled endpapers, reflecting the Victorian appreciation for craftsmanship and beauty in bookmaking. As a result, Bible and prayer book editions from the 1800s often combine devotional significance with the artistry of the period’s bookbinding traditions, making them both meaningful religious texts and finely produced examples of nineteenth-century printing and binding.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWooden boards backed in brown morocco. Silvered copper mounts on both boards with the upper cover having an Old Testament scene and the back a New Testament scene. At the corner of each board is a small pyramid serving as “feet” to protect the central metal mounts. Clasps with the lower one having a place for a key to fit but no key present and the clasp functions without it. Across the spine are chains which hang from the mounts\/ spine lettered in gilt. All edges stained red. Marbled boards.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eForty eight finely illuminated vellum leaves each with a photograph at the center. These are protected by tissue guards. Illumination done in bright colors and to a very high standard. Unusual and unique object. Very fine condition. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Moons Rare Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":57719825236134,"sku":null,"price":4500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/moons-rare-books.myshopify.com\/products\/polyglot-holy-bible-1880s","provider":"Moons Rare Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}