The Imperial Family Bible, 5 volumes (1844 Victorian Edition)

[HOLY BIBLE]. The Imperial Family Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments, According to the Most Approved Copies of the Authorized Version. With Many Thousand Critical, Explanatory, and Practical Notes; Also, References, Readings, Chronological Tables, and Indexes. Illustrated by a Superb Series of Engravings from the Most Admired Productions of Ancient and Modern Art. Glasgow: Blackie and Son, 1844. 5 volumes. Provenance: From the Whitmont family collection. Bookplate of Edward E. Whitmont in each volume.

Large Folio (380 x 285mm). All five volumes bound uniformly in crushed red Morocco, elaborately gilt-decorated. Spines with five raised bands, gilt-decorated compartments and titling. Covers decorated and margined in gilt and blind. Elaborately gilt-decorated dentelles. All edges gilt. Marbled endpapers. Extensive illustrations and engravings throughout all five volumes, after Old Master paintings and contemporary artists including John Martin. Vol. I: Genesis to Deuteronomy, with blank family register; Vol. II: Joshua to Song of Solomon; Vol. III: The Prophets and the Apocrypha; Vol. IV: Saint Matthew to Luke; Vol. V: Saint John to Revelation. Divided and bound as a five-volume set by A.Châtelin; a French-born, London-based binder in operation during the early-mid 19th century. The work was originally issued in a single folio volume (occasionally found in two),

The Imperial Family Bible, first published in 1844, was, in the words of the historian Elizabeth Greenspan, "the grandest of the many Bibles and theological works the Blackie marketed over the years". This edition contains a celebrated illustration programme: dozens of full-page engravings reproducing celebrated paintings by Old Masters and admired contemporary artists, among them Nicolas Poussin, Raphael, Titian, Domenichino, and John Martin (1789–1854), the British Romantic painter renowned for his apocalyptic, sublime depictions of biblical catastrophe and divine judgement.

Uniquely, this set has been divided into 5 volumes. Each is bound uniformly in beautiful red Morocco with gilt adornments. In combination with the size, this set stands as a beautiful and striking feature.

Very good/near fine. Bindings sound on all volumes, well preserved. Gilt remains bright to all volumes. Contents generally very good, some foxing and markings throughout each volume. Coloured illustrations remain true and engravings sharp and detailed. A remarkable and beautiful set.

Please note: This is a five-volume set and is very heavy. Additional postage costs will apply. Please contact us for a shipping quote before purchase.

This book is currently not on display in store.
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Catalogue Number: HH000690