The Holy Bible

A stereotype edition of the King James Bible, bound in contemporary red morocco gilt.

'William Ged (1690-1749), the inventor of stereotyping, obtained in 1731 a contract for printing Prayer Books and Bibles for Cambridge University. But he completed only two Prayer Books, and surrendered his lease in 1738. Thwarted at every turn by trade jealousy, he failed in all his attempts to establish a business. "Subsequently Andrew Wilson, the Earl of Stanhope's practical man, starting where Ged left off, worked out the plaster-of-Paris plan that preceded the papier-mâché system, which has established stereotyping in its present position"' (Herbert).

Stereotype edition; large 8vo (23 x 15 cm); foxing to title, moderate spotting throughout, ownership inscription in pen to title, MS notes in pen to free endpapers, related family history notes loose to rear, later endappers, gutter-margins reinforced; contemporary straight-grained end morocco, covers ruled in gilt and blind, rebacked, original gilt spine in 6-compartments laid down, gauffered edges, slightly rubbed with loss to corners and edges.