The Holy Bible - 1861

An imposing and magnificent piece of Victorian history. This monumental Family Bible, published by James S. Virtue of London, is a true "heavyweight" of 19th-century publishing, weighing nearly 11 kg (24 lbs).

This edition features the renowned devotional and practical commentary by the Reverend Robert Jamieson DD, accompanied by a gallery of exquisite, full-page steel engravings that bring the biblical narrative to life with incredible Victorian detail.

The volume is bound in its original, thick architectural leather. While the exterior shows the honest "rubbing" and character of a 160-year-old family heirloom, the binding remains remarkably tight and secure. It includes the traditional family history pages (one is loose but present), with more recent entries, making it a poignant survivor of a bygone era of domestic life. A stunning centre piece for a library, chapel, or as a gift for a collector of antiquarian theology. This Bible was never meant to be transported, it was the centre of family life, a daily devotional anchor.

Title page: The Holy Bible with a Practical and Explanatory Commentary by the Rev. Robert Jamieson, D.D.

Publisher: James S. Virtue, City Road and Ivy Lane, London.
Date: c. 1861–1865 (Undated, as issued).

Exterior & Binding
Covers: Full architectural leather (Morocco/Calf). There is significant rubbing and shelf-wear to the extremities, particularly the "corners" and "head/tail" of the spine. The leather shows a rich, authentic patina but has some localised scuffing to the boards. Marbled inside covers.

Spine: Features heavy raised bands. The gilt lettering "THE HOLY BIBLE" remains legible but has dimmed slightly. The joints are rubbed but the boards remain firmly attached to the text block.

Edges: All edges are Gilt (AEG). The gilding shows minor "dulling" from age but still reflects light well when the book is closed.

Internal Text Block
Family Records: One family history page is detached (loose) but present. The remaining record pages are intact.

Foxing: There is scattered foxing (small brown age-spots) throughout the volume. This is most prevalent on the first and last few pages and on the reverse of the plate illustrations—this is typical for 19th-century paper and does not affect legibility. Foxing is sometimes referred to "The Freckles of Age." in a Bible this size, iron contaminants in the Victorian paper react with humidity over 160 years to create those spots. It is a sign of authenticity, not damage.

Paper Quality: The pages are generally clean, crisp, and free from "thumbing" (grubby fingerprints) or modern ink marginalia. The binding is tight and square; the book does not "sag" when stood upright.

Illustrations (Steel Engravings)
Complete set of steel-engraved plates and one coloured map.

Tissue Guards: Most engravings retain their original protective tissue guards. Note: Some guards show "ghosting" (a faint mirror image of the engraving), which has successfully protected the opposite text pages from ink transfer.

Artists: Includes masterwork reproductions after Raphael, John Martin, and Thomas Allom, in a Virtue & Co. Bible the steel engravings were commissioned from the finest "Bible illustrators" of the time after classical works.

The Bible measures 38 x 29 x 12.5cm (15" x 11.42" x 5") and weighs 10.9kg (24lb).

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