Description
FRAMED COLLECTOR SET: Four (4) Historic Bible Leaves. Guaranteed Genuine Originals.
For the discerning collector:
Wm. Tyndale New Testament Leaf, 1536/1549. The Newe Testament, translated by M. Wil. Tyndall [sic, orig. spelling]. Octavo, 6.25″ x 3.75″. ROMANS 12:17-14:4. Printer unknown but speculation points to Day and Seres, and was likely printed in Antwerp. Leaves not numbered; paragraph ending flared “Iron” crosses lack the left arm (as in H 13, suggesting a common printer?), with copious marginal references, and the marginal stars are 6-pointed. Ref: Herbert 79, Fry 23. EXCELLENT condition. Facing text: Rom. 13:8-14:4. Leaf is from Paul’s premier epistle, spanning chapters 12-14. Overall, this edition “Strikingly resembles the three octavo editions of 1536” and “generally agrees” with the standard G.H. edition of 1535; see Herbert 15 and 22 for comparisons. With 35 lines per col., this leaf in form is like the other three known 1536 octavo NTs, no other NTs having 35 lines per column. Text here is Tyndale’s unedited, final revision! Although the text here generally agrees with the 1536 octavo editions, the Title is dated 1549 and the publisher is unstated. Very likely, this edition was printed in 1536 but kept secret until 1549 when it was safe from persecution to publish a Tyndale NT. [Not to be confused with the 1549 Tyndale quarto NT, H 77]. Census for the three known 1536 editions is about 15. The census for this unusual edition is unknown, but perhaps 20-30. Regarding the pricing of this leaf: NT leaves are 4-times rarer than OT leaves, and this one is a premium leaf. Extremely Rare. Value: $1500.
Eliot Indian Bible Leaf, 1663. Eliot Algonquian Bible, a/k/a “Eliot Indian Bible,” printed in Cambridge [New England, USA], 1663. FIRST EDITION. Sm quarto, 7.5″ x 5.25″. Printed by S. Green and M. Johnson, Cambridge, MDCLXI [1663]. EZEKIEL 29:5-30:9 (facing text) and 30:10-31:10, verso. Ref: D&M 6737; O’Callahan 1663. SUPERIOR condition. That this is a true first edition is determined by the lack of a summary before each Chapter as well as the unique signature Bbbbba, an exact match in every respect to the Georgetown copy PDF. The Bible from which this leaf comes, in the [Algonquian Indian] Massachusett language, translated from a Geneva Bible, is the first printed/published Bible in early America, and the first Bible ever printed for missionary purposes! The translator, John Eliot, is also known for publishing the Bay Psalm Book of 1640. Of the 1000 original printed copies, only 39 are known to remain. Extremely Rare. Value: $2000.
Aitken Bible Leaf, 1781. The New Testament / Holy Bible, printed in Philadelphia by R. Aitken, 1781 or 1782/1781. FIRST EDITION. 12mo., 6.1″ x 3.6″. Ref: Herbert 1283; O’Callahan 1781 and 1782. Text: JAMES 2:18b-5:7. FINE+ condition; light smudge. 3:12-5:7 (facing text) and 2:18b-3:11, recto. This leaf could theoretically originate either in a 1781 NT or a 1782 whole Bible — the NT leaves being identical in both. In the 1782 Bible, the OT title is dated 1782 but the NT is dated 1781. But given the provenance of this leaf (see the accompanying leather volume, “The Bible of the Revolution”), this leaf, being unbound, is highly likely to immediately come from a whole Bible. This is the FIRST English language Bible printed in America, with an American imprint. The only Bible ever Authorized by Congress, it is thus called “The Bible of the American Revolution.” Of the 5000 copies printed, a scant 40 or so copies remain. Regarding the pricing of this leaf: NT leaves are 4-times rarer than OT leaves! This one, from James (the brother of Jesus who guided the Jerusalem Church until his death in 62 AD) or his circle, represents the faith of the first Apostles. Accompanying leather booklet and COA. Extremely Rare. Value: $1250.
Geneva Bible Leaf, 1580. The Geneva Bible, printed in London by C. Barker, 1580; a reprint of the 1579 edition. Quarto, 8.5″ x 6.0″; 71 lines per column. Ref: Herbert 165. Text: ACTS 23:16b-25:23. FINE condition overall; light stain at upper corner. Facing text: Acts 23:16b-24:16a; verso: 24:16b-25:23. The Geneva Bible popularized the Quarto format for personal use and dominated the English speaking world until about 1680. Text recounts Paul’s detainment in Jerusalem and his appeal to Caesar. While this leaf is not particularly valuable, it well represents the impact of the Geneva Bible in the historical development of the English Bible. Value: $50.
4 Leaf Set Includes: Four (4) Bibles Leaves, framed, as described and pictured; Leather Booklet titled “The Bible of the Revolution”; General COA and Descriptions for all 4 leaves set in a museum-quality Bifold Portfolio; 4 separate COAs in Archival Booklets.
PROFESSIONALLY FRAMED. 32″ W x 18″ H x 1.2″ D. Archival. UV clear glass, one-sided. Antique beige & black double-matting, in a handsome chocolate brown and beaded gold frame, with identifying brass plates. Leaves are accurately and professionally identified on the COAs, per the above descriptions, superseding the implications on the brass plates, with an accompanied Certificate of Authenticity for each and for the set. Value: $400.
GUARANTEE: Historic Bibles & Engravings guarantees that the detailed Descriptions, above, with their Certificates of Authenticity, signed and sealed, are true and accurate representations of the Items described. The Valuations noted are equivalent professional Appraisals for insurance and heirloom purposes, as of October 2025.
FREE SHIPPING & PACKAGING. USA only. Value: $100.
TOTAL VALUE: $5200. PRICE: $4800.
