Juvenile Bible, or, History of the Old and New Testaments: in miniature: being a concise relation of events contained in the Holy Scriptures. Bysh, John. 52, Paternoster Row. London. [Circa 1819].

Two volumes in one. Complete. 144; 71 printed pages + 1 page of publisher's adverts at end (there were two versions and the issue point in this case: "In Boxes" and "In Packs" in larger upper-case type). 24 & 8 full-page copper plate engravings within square or rectangular frames, often depicting secondary aspects of biblical stories that are not found in any other Thumb Bibles. Separate title-page for New testament. Printed by W. Lewis, 21 Finch-lane, Cornhill. Date inferred from Bysh's adress (occupied from 1818 until 1821) and Lewis' address (1819 until 1838). Bondy described the 32 engraved plates as being "of considerable quality".  A very good complete copy of a rare miniature juvenile bible. Illustrations: The Creation -- Serpent tempting Eve -- Tower of Babel -- Joseph sold by his brothers -- Jacob and family's journey to Egypt -- Pharoah &c. drowned in the Red Sea -- Moses receiving the tables -- A cloud guides the Israeites -- The Sabbath breaker stoned -- Moses striking the rock ---- Balaam reproved by his ass -- Death of Moses -- Joshua commanding the Sun to stand still -- Samson's marriage feast -- Ruth gleaning -- David stayeth Abishai from killing Saul -- Uriah slain -- Sauls sons hanged -- David composing the Psalms -- Judgement of Solomon -- Building Solomon's Temple -- Elijah taken up to heaven -- God appearing to Solomon --Job's Misery --The Wise Men's Offering --Healing the Blind -- Going to Jerusalem -- Walking on the Sea -- Judas betraying Christ -- Peter denying Christ -- Crucifiction -- Resurrection. Frontispiece plate misbound opposite page 13. Some very light spotting sporadically and unobtrusive. Inner gilt dentelles. All edges gilt. Original yellow endpapers. 43 x 60 mm. Contemporary full maroon morocco; spine in compartments with four single blind ruled raised bands and gilt titling; covers with double blind ruled embossed borders. Minuscule rubbing to corners and head /tail of spine.  John Bysh specialised in publishing children's books, but not particularly on religion. The text is largely comparable to the 1806 Bible in Miniature published by  John Harris (Adomeit, B69); although a number of passages have here been creatively revised and expanded. For example, at the end of the New Testament, this publication adds the full text of the Apostolic Creed at the end, unlike any other Thumb Bible. Adomeit, B83 (locates 7 copies, of which 5 are defective). Gottfried Adam, 336. Bondy, 34-5. Not in Houghton, nor Spielmann. Welsh, 1021. OCLC, 63091760. WorldCat locates 5 copies worldwide of which at least three are defective (Virginia, Indiana, Washington St. Louis, San Diego & Nottingham University Libraries). Last copy of this publication was coloured and sold at Forum Auctions 25/03/2021 for £4,032.00. Otherwise, rare at auction, the previous  copy seemingly in 1981 as part of a lot of three miniature Bibles. Originally published in low numbers, this Thumb Bible is rarely found complete.