Details
BIBLE, Apocrypha, English. -- The Testaments of the twelve Patriarchs, the sons of Jacob: translated out of Greeke into Latine by Robert Grosthead, sometime Bishop of Lincolne: and out of his Copie into French and Dutch by others: and now Englished. London: R[obert] Y[oung] for the Company of Stationers, 1638.
Small 8o (134 x 89 mm). Woodcut of Jabob signed R.B. on title and repeated on A7v, 12 woodcuts of the patriarchs, woodcut device of Henry Lownes at end (see McKerrow 211), woodcut initials and head-pieces. (Title with upper and outer margins renewed and with some letters in manuscript facsimile, A2-6 with upper margins renewed and marginal repair on G8 with some letters in facsimile, rust hole on I1 with loss of a few letters, closely trimmed with some head-lines shaved.) 19th-century mottled calf gilt, edges gilt, by F. Bedford (front hinge weak). Provenance: Jacob P.R. Lyell (armorial bookplate) -- Estelle Doheny (morocco bookplate) -- donated to SMS 12 December 1946.
Very rare early edition in English of these apocryphal dying commands of the sons of Jacob which were written in 110 B.C. Robert Grosseteste's Latin translation was made in the 13th century; the present English translation was prepared by A. Gilbey. The preface is signed by Richard Day. Bishop's census records no copy of this edition in America prior to Countess Doheny's acquisition of the present, and the only other copy recorded is that in the British Museum. STC 19473.
Small 8o (134 x 89 mm). Woodcut of Jabob signed R.B. on title and repeated on A7v, 12 woodcuts of the patriarchs, woodcut device of Henry Lownes at end (see McKerrow 211), woodcut initials and head-pieces. (Title with upper and outer margins renewed and with some letters in manuscript facsimile, A2-6 with upper margins renewed and marginal repair on G8 with some letters in facsimile, rust hole on I1 with loss of a few letters, closely trimmed with some head-lines shaved.) 19th-century mottled calf gilt, edges gilt, by F. Bedford (front hinge weak). Provenance: Jacob P.R. Lyell (armorial bookplate) -- Estelle Doheny (morocco bookplate) -- donated to SMS 12 December 1946.
Very rare early edition in English of these apocryphal dying commands of the sons of Jacob which were written in 110 B.C. Robert Grosseteste's Latin translation was made in the 13th century; the present English translation was prepared by A. Gilbey. The preface is signed by Richard Day. Bishop's census records no copy of this edition in America prior to Countess Doheny's acquisition of the present, and the only other copy recorded is that in the British Museum. STC 19473.