Oak Knoll

Third edition of this bible (the first in 1743 and the second in 1763). Evans 14663. Hildeburn 3336. Sabin 5194. Front hinge cracked, wear with some loss to the head of the spine and the lower front hinge. Rear hinge cracked. Moderate toning and foxing throughout, and a bit of occasional waterstaining. Ownership inscriptions in ink on the front free (loose) endpaper. Complete Bible text with both title pages, boasting wide margins, a strong textual impression, and aside from the front free endpaper and the first blank being separated (yet present), with very few notable flaws.

This particular Bible is important to the history of printing and bibliography being that the first edition of this Bible was the first Bible printed in a European language in America, and the second edition of this Bible was the first Bible printed on handmade paper made in America. This particular Bible, the 3rd edition, is significant as it was the first Bible printed from hand-made type cast in America.

"This edition consisted of 3000 copies. The Revolutionary War broke out about the time it was issued, and after the Battle of Germantown, Saur, to preserve the residue of his property, and in the supposition that American independence could not be maintained, went into Philadelphia and resided there whilst the British held possession of that city. His estate was subsequently confiscated in consequence, and his books sold. The principle part of this third edition of the Germantown Bible in sheets were thus destroyed, having been used for cartridge paper" (O'Callaghan, p. 29).