Bible and Lectern in original Sampson Low box. Holy Bible containing the Old and New Testaments. Oxford University Press. American Branch. New York. 1919.[2], 876 printed pages on finest India paper. 28 full-page line illustrations of testament scenes reduced from designs by Charles Bell Birch, A.R.A. (1832-93) with permission of Messrs S. Bagster & Son. 'Printed in England' on verso of title-page. But on colophon, 'Glasgow : printed at the University Press'. It contains notes on the Shakespeare family records and facsimiles of the entries in the parish register, Stratford Upon Avon, included between Old & New Testaments. 'Licence' to Nimmo Hay and Mitchell, 18 Clyde Street, Edinburgh on verso title-page indicates 1919 as publication date; ; also gives permission to print 20,000 copies. Signed J.A. Clyde. All edges red (very slightly marked). 36 x 50 mm. Original brown calf in the antique style, blind-stamped in imitation of 16th century binding (a few mild scuffs). Holy Bible in gilt on spine. Magnifying glass in front cover pocket. Chained with original metal links to wooden Lectern, 8.5 x 15.4 cm. Paper printed label on shelf above pedestal, describes it as a facsimile of those chained bibles found in some English Cathedrals ("Miniature Chained Bible and Lecturn: Bibles were so rare in olden times, it was necessary to chain them to Lecterns and other places. The chain is a facsimile of what may be seen in Hereford and other Cathedralss and Parish Churches all over the country. The Bible can easily be read with a magnifying glass which is supplied"). This particular example is in unusually good condition, more often found rubbed or defective. Presented here as it was originally sold, in a red cardboard box with a printed label - this original packaging rarely survives but fortunately is present here (edge worn; lid slightly faded and one edge of lid partly torn away). Bondy, 109. Bromer/Edison, 77. Spielmann, 25. Welsh, 566. OCLC, 1013974681. WorldCat locates 1 copy worldwide (Iowa University library). Seller Inventory 166 firsts2024