1827 THE COMPREHENSIVE BIBLE. Rare Wide Margin Folio Owned by Early Prison Reformer.

An exceptionally rare volume with multiple points of interest A likely unique imprint of the first edition of the influential "Comprehensive Bible," being the quarto text printed on large hand-laid folio with wide margins for a scholar. We trace not a single other example of this printing format.  Additionally, this was the copy of influential Prison Chaplain and reformer, John Clay [1796-1858]. He was the Chaplain at Preston, Lancashire. His years of detailed record-keeping and reporting on the prison made him a national figure in the prison reform movement. In 1819 prisons began hiring prisoners for labor. This was seen as a positive innovation for the prisoners. In 1823, they were also urged to hire full-time chaplains, the first of which at Preston was Clay. Clay criticized the prison for its use of the "scold's bridle," the "treadmill," and other punitive artifacts used to torture prisoners. This led to the removal of the warden after a two years stand off between the two. He was