Thursday, January 20, 2011

400th Anniversary of the King James Bible

In 1611, the first edition of a new translation of the Bible was published -- the one that later came to be known as the King James Version or the Authorized Version.

The Library owns two leaves of the very first printing of this historic work, the "editio princeps." These pages are now on display in the flat glass case near the Circulation Desk.

The King James Bible was first printed in a large folio format suitable for the pulpit, then in a smaller quarto format intended for individual reading and study. The Library also owns two of these very early printings : a 1613 Bible made by Robert Barker, the King's Printer, and a 1625 Bible created by his partners and competitors, Norton and Bill.

Come and see these remarkable and historic works, and read the interpretive text provided with them.

Paula

1 comment:

David said...

Thanks! A big surprise tied into the 400th anniversary of the 1611 King James Version Bible:

Two scholars have compiled the first worldwide census of extant copies of the original first printing of the 1611 King James Version (sometimes referred to as the "He" Bible). For decades, authorities from the British Museum, et al., have estimated that “around 50 copies” of that first printing still exist. The real number, however, is quite different!

For more information, you're invited to contact Donald L. Brake, Sr., PhD, at dbrake1611@q.com or his associate David Sanford at drsanford@earthlink.net. You’re also invited to visit the www.credocommunications.net/kjv website.