The Comprehensive Bible. [HOLY BIBLE].

LARGE PAPER COPY, BOUND BY BIRDSALL

The Comprehensive Bible; Containing the Old and New Testaments, According to the Authorized Version, the Various Readings and Marginal Notes Usually Printed Therewith: A General Introduction, Containing on the Genuiness, Authenticity, and Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, Various Divisions and Marks of Distinction in the Sacred Writings, Ancient Versions, Coins, Weights and Measures, Various Sects Among the Jews: Introductions and Concluding Remarks to Each Book: The Parallel Passages Contained in Rev. T. Scott's Commentary; Canne's Bible; Rev. J. Brown's Self-Interpretating Bible; Dr. Adam Clarke's Commentary; and the English Version of Bagster's Polyglott Bible, Systematically Arranged. With Numerous Philological and Explanatory Notes: A Table of Contents, Arranged in Historical Order: An Analysis and Compendium of the Holy Scriptures: a Chronological Index, Interspersed with Synchronisms of the Most Important Epochs and Events in Profane History: An Index of the Subjects Contained in the Old and New Testaments: and an Index to the Notes, Introductions, and Concluding Remarks.

Two volumes. Folio. 335 x 275 x 115 mm]. [2]ff, iv, 722 pp; [2]ff, 723-1352, xviii, xiii pp. Bound by Birdsall and Son of Northampton (signed with a gilt pallet) in black goatskin, the covers tooled in blind with a wide border of multiple fillets and a frame of hand-tools, including a rose and roundel. The spines divided into six panels with raised bands, lettered in gilt in the second and fourth, the others tooled in blind, the turn-ins and matching inside joints tooled in gilt with fillets and a rose in the corners, marbled endleaves, gilt edges. (Fly-leaves lightly foxed).

London: printed for Samuel Bagster, No.15 Paternoster Row, at the Warehouse for Bibles, New Testaments, Concordances, Prayer Books, and Psalters, in Ancient and Modern Languages, [1827?]

Darlow & Moule / Herbert 1763. The general title-page is undated but the New Testament title is dated 1827. This may be a reissue missed by D&M/H. It is a fine copy with extraordinarily large margins.

With the pencil shelf-mark "V1" at the head of the title and a loosely inserted label "Monrieth House Library / Please return this book to shelf / V1". Monrieth House is located near to the village of Port William in Dumfries and Galloway. It was designed by Alexander Stevens in 1791 for Sir William Maxwell, 4th Baronet. Sir Herbert Maxwell succeeded as 7th Baronet in 1877 and sat as MP for Wigtownshire from 1880 to 1906 as served as Lord Lieutenant of Wigtown from 1903 to 1935. His grandson was Gavin Maxwell, author of <i>Ring of Bright Water<n> and he was born on the estate.

The binding is hard to date as the style is retrospective but I would put it at around 1850. The origins of the Birdsall bindery stretch back to the 18th century, but it was in 1792 that John Lacy's Northampton bindery was acquired by William Birdsall. In 1899 Gerring (Notes on Bookbinding) reported a staff of 250 engaged in making ladies handbags, fancy boxes and stationery, as well as all types of bookbindings. Anthony Birdsall continued the business until 1961 when it was closed. The firm's collection of over 3000 finishing tools passed to the University of Toronto.

Stock no. ebc9296