Bible, English. Bible (The), that is the Holy Scriptures conteined in the Old and New Testament, letterpress title with woodcut vignette, additional pictorial woodcut title illustrating the Evangelists and the Apostles including Bartholomew and Thomas, woodcut illustrations, letterpress title with ink annotations to foot of p. and to verso of New Testament title, lacking Qq8 ?blank, [Herbert 248], By the Deputies of Christopher Barker, 1599, bound before The Whole Book of Psalmes, K and K2 bound incorrectly, title with tear and repair (affecting text), last few ff. with repairs to margins and last 2 particularly frayed and damaged (affecting text legibility), [ESTC R35755], printed by Gartrude Dawson for the Company of Stationers, 1653, all bound after an incomplete and defective Book of Prayers, together in 1 vol., contemporary ink annotations, later ink ownership inscription to front free endpaper, toned or browned throughout, edges rather frayed and often trimmed close at head or foot, some spots and staining, slight cracking at hinges, contemporary calf, lacking clasps, rebacked and recornered, rubbed and bumped, 4to.

⁂ This is the Geneva version of the Bible, specifically the 1599 Geneva Bible, often referred to as the “Breeches Bible.” The Geneva Bible was first published in 1560 in Geneva by English Protestant exiles who had fled religious persecution during the reign of Mary I of England. It became the standard household Bible among English-speaking Protestants and was widely used for many decades. The translation is notable for several innovative features, including the systematic use of verse numbers, extensive marginal study notes, and illustrated woodcut maps and diagrams designed to help readers better understand the biblical text. The nickname “Breeches Bible” comes from its translation of Genesis 3:7, where Adam and Eve are described as making “breeches” from fig leaves to cover themselves.