1553 Folio Great Bible Printed By Edward Whitchurch

Importance: The Great Bible was first printed in 1539, by the order of Henry VIII. 60% of it was printed by Francis Regnault in France, while the rest was printed by Richard Grafton and Edward Whitchurch in London. The Great Bible was the first Authorized English Bible printed, and it was called “Great Bible” due to its large size. Every parish was to have a copy. The 1553 Great Bible is the 9th edition, and was printed in London by Edward Whitchurch, and published by Nicholas Hill and Steven Mierdman. The 9th edition in particular was published between the death of Edward VI (a Protestant) and the reign of Mary I (a Catholic). When Mary I ascended to the throne she made efforts to reestablish Catholicism in England, this lead the authorities to destroy most copies of the 1553 edition. Binding: Folio (13” x 9” x 3.5”). 8 lb. Late 17th c. full brown calf leather binding with red-edges. Late 18th c. to early 19th c. smooth wove paper endpapers. Worn. Provenance: •An interesting manuscrip