The Byble in Englyshe, that is to say the content of al the Holy Scrypture, both of ye Olde, and Newe Testament.

Folio (260 x 360). 5 parts in one volume. 3, 4, 84 ff. 123 ff. 132 ff. 80 ff. 102, (2) ff. (with several repairs and facsimile leaves, see condition report). Woodcut title-pages to every part, smaller woodcuts and decorative initials throughout. 19th-century black morocco, gilt. A Reformation milestone: the first complete Bible in English authorised for use in churches, in its rare third edition, the second to bear a preface from Thomas Cranmer. Also a major step in the development of modern English, it represented a crucial bridge between the banned earlier translation by Tyndale and the King James Version. - This volume also offers a stark visual reminder of the tempestuous landscape of power in Tudor England: the frontispiece depicts the enthroned Henry VIII at the top, entrusting the Word of God to Archbishop Thomas Cranmer and his Chancellor, Thomas Cromwell. In the middle, these in turn distribute it to the clergy and the laity; while at the bottom, the common people proclaim "Vivat Rex" (Long live the King), aside from three figures who are locked in prison. In June 1540, a mere month before this volume was printed, Cromwell had fallen from grace and was swiftly executed. - In 1534, Henry VIII and Archbishop Cranmer enlisted the services of ten bishops to create a Bible in English, to counteract the influence of Tyndale's translation of the New Testament, which had been forbidden due to its Lutheran influences. As progress was slow, Thomas Cromwell charged the translator and Bishop of Exeter Myles Coverdale with the production of the so-called "Great Bible", a copy which was to be kept in every church for the religious edification of the parishioners. - Coverdale worked from the Latin Vulgate and German translations rather than Greek and Hebrew, and seven editions were published in quick succession between 1539 and 1541; this third edition (July 1540) was the first to be printed in London only, rather than Paris as well. The Great Bible remained the standard authorised version of Holy Scripture in the Anglican Church until 1568, when the so-called Bishops' Bible was finally ready, which was in turn succeeded by the King James Version in 1611. In spite of this, the 1662 Book of Common Prayer cites the Psalms from the Great Bible rather than the King James. - Roughly 9000 Great Bibles were produced between 1539 and 1541, but they are now rarities, particularly complete ones in good condition. This exemplar was part of the rare Bible collections of the American philanthropist and bibliophile Estelle Doheny, as well as the theologian Charles Caldwell Ryrie. - An outstanding landmark in the history of the Reformation as well as the English language. - General title, two leaves containing the calendar at the beginning and final two leaves containing end of text, table and colophon in facsimile, fore-margin [Maltese cross]1 renewed touching shoulder note, [Maltese cross]3 restored with facsimile penwork, [Maltese cross]4 with margins restored affecting headline, long tear crossing text on a5 repaired, lacks blank O4, outer margins of DD3 and DD6 restored with some shoulder notes in pen facsimile, long tear to bottom margin of RR6 repaired not affecting text, lower corner of woodcut border of Aaa1 in facsimile, lower margin of Kk1 restored with some text in facsimile, fore-margin of Mm2 repaired with shoulder notes and a few letters in facsimile, margins of several leaves at the end renewed with some letters in facsimile, some other leaves with minor marginal repairs occasionally touching shoulder notes or catchwords, several headlines shaved or cropped, residual staining and soiling. 19th century blank morocco panelled gilt, elaborate gilt dentelles, vellum linings, spine lettered and decorated gilt, edges gilt; joints rubbed. - 1) Lower margin of pts. II, fol. 123v and IV, fol. 18v with ownership inscriptions of Bartholomew Morris, 16th century ("Bartholomew Morris, his booke"). - 2) Bookplate of Estelle Doheny (1875-1958), A.…