Description
2 Leaf-Set. JOHN 1:1-3:12 + New Testament TITLE (without the phrase “Appointed to be read . . .”). The second and the last King James “He” Bible, after the first 1611 folio edition/issue. Printed in London by Robert Barker, 1613. First Quarto Black Letter Edition. Overall size 8.6″ x 6.25″. Text block less than 200mm tall. Reference: Herbert 323, the “He” edition, containing the original error in Ruth 3:15 “he went into the citie” and according to Herbert a “close reprint” of the 1611 folio “He” first edition, first issue. After 1613, no other “He” editions were printed. Note: There are no other certain determinations of a “He” edition than the Ruth 3:15 citation and the block size, since textual and printing indicators vary and are somewhat mixed, despite what some experts may say. The best indicator of a genuine 1613 “He” Bible, therefore, is the Ruth “he” citation, the correct block size, and uniform pages throughout. Such a bible is represented here, from which these leaves were taken. For scholarly reference, see Herbert’s Historical Catalogue of English Bibles. See also David Norton’s A Textual History of the King James Bible.
The John 1-3 leaf is in FINE+ condition. The NT TITLE leaf is in FINE condition; the former owner’s name and date are written on the back of the Title (verso), the ink bleeding through to the front. In this superb Leaf-set, both the John 1-3 leaf and the NT Title leaf are set in a museum-quality Bifold Portfolio. The COA, certifying the genuineness of the Set as a 1613 “He” leaf-set, is set in an Archival Booklet.
