1597 Geneva Bible (Breeches Bible), Deputies of Christoher Barker. Bound with the Book of Common Prayer, Psalms, and Concordances.

A well-worn copy of the 1597 Geneva Bible, with many provenance annotations throughout, and some genealogical notes. Bound together with a Book of Common Prayer (circa 1630), Two Rightful Profitable and Fruitfull Concordances (1597), and The Whole Booke of Psalms (1595).

The Geneva Bible is one of the most historically significant translations of the Bible into English, preceding the King James Version by 51 years. It was the primary Bible of 16th-century English Protestantism and was used by William Shakespeare, Oliver Cromwell, John Knox, John Donne, and John Bunyan. It was one of the Bibles taken to America on the Mayflower.

Known as the “Breeches” Bible, because when Adam and Eve recognize their sin, in this translation, they prepare “breeches” to clothe themselves.

Due to their hard use, often these Geneva Bibles are incomplete. This one is only missing six leaves; leaves collated A2-A7 (Genesis 2 to 20) are missing. The extraneous works, bound with the bible, are missing others leaves (see picture with notes).

Provenance -

I've tried to research the provenance names and found little. Amos Parkes is the only signature that has a history I have possession of; he is listed in the tenant rolls of the Lyttelton Family of Halesworth Manor. Amos wrote a dated inscription of 1703. The oldest names in this Bible are William & Margaret Hildif (1642 date). There is also a "Richard Dudley" that appears 17th century in writing style. After Amos Parkes possessed the Bible, it passed into the Smith family (John, Mary, Ann Smith, & Elizabeth Forest, from the recorded births sheet). The the Pitts (Ben and Ann) took possession in the later 18th century (dates of 1758 and 1764). Both John Smith and Ben Pitts wrote their names on the binding's boards (front and rear).

Physical Attributes -

Measures approx. 23 x 16 x 8 cm. Reverse calf binding (very worn), 18th century. Text in two columns, general and New Testament titles within woodcut borders (the latter torn).

Pages: Book of Common Prayer (missing title page) - P4, Bible - Title, [1], 554 (but 552, two numbers unassigned at transition to NT, and missing 2-7 (collated A2-7)), Concordances - A-K8, L2, Hebrews - lacking A2&4, C4&5, and all after E1 (E2-F8, G1-5).

Condition -

See pictures. Binding very well worn. Rear joint cracked and rear board held on by strip of Japanese tissue tacked at the hinge (not a permanent solution). Corner loss, edge wear, rubbing, etc. Evidence of rudimentary repairs at joints/hinges.

Inside, well loved. Browned and soiled throughout. Missing leaves collated A2-7 (Genesis Chapter 2 to 20). Dd2-7 and Yy7-8 dampstained. A number of chipped and torn leaves, many repaired with a paper. Top 2/3 of NT title page torn away and repaired with blank paper; several other similar examples. Some marginal notes trimmed. I'll post a photo of an in-depth condition report. To summarize, this Bible was well used for hundreds of years, and bears evidence of that use. Conversely, at some point, someone with some little skill in paper restoration went about cleaning up the page edges, tears, chips, etc.. The book presents delightfully as a well used survivor of the common people, unlike many examples that sat unloved in a library at an estate.