1583 Folio Edition English Language Bible In ‘Remarkable Condition’ To Go Under The Hammer

A 16^th century Bible in English which is to go under the hammer next month in Norfolk has been described as ‘the finest condition early Bible I have ever come across’ by the auction house’s head of books.

Published by Christopher Barker in 1583, the black letter volume of the ‘Bishop’s Bible’ will be sold during Keys Auctioneers & Valuers two day Book and Ephemera Sale on 11^th and 12^th May.  It has a pre-sale estimate of £1,500-£2,000.

A wealthy member of the Draper’s Company, Barker was a shrewd businessman who managed to acquire the lucrative Bible Patent.  As the ‘Queen’s Printer’, he was one of only three publishers who could produce the authorised version of the Bible – the other two being the Oxford and Cambridge University Presses.  He died in 1599 a wealthy man, and passed on his patent to his son Robert.

“This is a stunning example of an early English Bible, and given its age and the fact that it will have been well-used across the centuries, it is in remarkable condition,” said Andrew Lindsay-Bullock, head of Books at Keys.  “It is the finest condition early Bible I have ever come across.”

Keys’ Book and Ephemera Sale takes place on Wednesday 11^th and Thursday 12^th May at Keys’ Aylsham, Norfolk salerooms, and at www.the-saleroom.com.  A full catalogue for the sale will be available at www.keysauctions.co.uk.