Antique Victorian National Comprehensive Family Bible -Welsh imprint
Offered is a substantial Victorian-era National Comprehensive Family Bible, featuring extensive biblical commentary, elaborate Gothic Revival-inspired craftsmanship, decorative brass hardware, gilt page edges, family-record sections, and an interesting regional Welsh imprint.
Edited by Rev. John Eadie, D.D., LL.D., this comprehensive volume combines the biblical text with condensed commentary associated with Thomas Scott and Matthew Henry, along with cross-references, explanatory material, and additional biblical reference content.
The title page bears the imprint of Jones & Jones, Hannah Street, Porth, connecting this particular volume with Wales and the historic Rhondda Valley.
WELSH IMPRINT
One of the particularly interesting aspects of this Bible is the regional imprint of Jones & Jones, Hannah Street, Porth.
Porth is located in the Rhondda Valley of Wales, a region closely associated with the industrial and coal-mining history of South Wales. This local imprint provides an additional geographical connection to the history and distribution of the volume.
THE COMPREHENSIVE BIBLE
This substantial Family Bible was designed as both a Scripture volume and an extensive study and reference work.
The pages combine the biblical text with commentary and explanatory material associated with Thomas Scott and Matthew Henry. Rev. John Eadie, D.D., LL.D., served as editor of the work, bringing together the biblical text and its accompanying reference material.
The layout incorporates central reference material and cross-references alongside the main scriptural text, creating a detailed study-oriented presentation.
PSALMS OF DAVID IN METRE
The volume includes the Psalms of David in Metre, accompanied by heraldic imagery.
A Scottish metrical-psalm section is also included, reflecting the long tradition of metrical Psalm singing associated with Scottish Presbyterian worship and households.
FAMILY HISTORY
The Family Registry contains handwritten entries preserving part of the history of a previous family.
Among the surviving entries is a birth record for Jane Le Savage of Allensmore, Herefordshire, dated 1965, along with death entries connected with the family's history and references to a home known as “Valley View.”
These surviving records provide another personal layer to the history of the volume and reflect the traditional role of Family Bibles as repositories for births, deaths, marriages, and other important family events.
FAMILY PORTRAIT GALLERY
The rear of the volume contains its original Family Portrait Gallery, featuring decorative printed borders and die-cut openings intended for family photographs.
The portrait section remains empty and exceptionally well preserved, with the original photograph openings intact.
ELABORATE LEATHER BINDING & BRASS HARDWARE
The Bible is housed in a substantial black leather binding over thick beveled boards.
The covers feature deep blind-tooled and decorative relief work, centered around a gilt-stamped panel reading “THE HOLY BIBLE ILLUSTRATED.”
The volume retains its original decorative brass hardware, including protective corner pieces and ornate brass clasp anchor brackets along the fore-edge.
These original metal elements add both visual character and protection to the substantial binding.
BRILLIANT GILT PAGE EDGES
The text block retains its original gilt page edges on all three sides.
The gold finish remains bright and attractive, complementing the elaborate Victorian presentation of the binding.
Condition
This Bible remains in excellent overall condition, particularly considering its substantial size and age.
The main text block is complete and remains crisp, bright, clean, and remarkably flat. There is no significant foxing, water damage, or tearing affecting the main text, and the text remains clear and readable throughout.
The substantial leather covers remain well preserved overall. The spine is intact and securely supports the heavy beveled boards. The front cover remains attached to the book, although there is some cracking in the leather along the front cover joint. This has resulted in a small amount of separation at the upper and lower portions of the front joint. The board itself remains attached, and the issue is localized to the leather covering along the joint.
There is also some light scuffing and superficial wear along portions of the exterior leather joints, consistent with age and handling.
Within the family genealogy section, one page was removed by a previous owner. This alteration resulted in a few small holes in the preceding page. The issue is localized to the family-record section and does not affect the readability or structural integrity of the main Bible.
Aside from the noted joint cracking and localized separation, the family-record alteration, and the minor exterior wear described above, the volume remains remarkably well preserved.
Please examine all photographs carefully. They provide an opportunity to closely inspect the binding, leather joints, brass hardware, gilt edges, interior pages, Family Registry, Family Portrait Gallery, and the localized alteration described above.
PHYSICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Approximate Height: 13 inches
Approximate Width: 10.5 inches
Approximate Thickness: 4.2 inches
Estimated Weight: 12–15 lbs
Binding: Original black leather over thick beveled boards
Hardware: Original decorative brass corner pieces and clasp anchor brackets
Page Edges: Gilt on all three sides
Publisher/Imprint: Jones & Jones, Hannah Street, Porth
A HISTORIC FAMILY BIBLE WITH A WELSH CONNECTION
This substantial National Comprehensive Family Bible brings together Scripture, theological commentary, biblical reference material, family history, and elaborate Victorian craftsmanship in one imposing volume.
Its Welsh imprint, extensive commentary edited by Rev. John Eadie, decorative brass hardware, richly detailed leather binding, bright gilt page edges, preserved Family Portrait Gallery, and surviving handwritten family records all contribute to the story of this historic Bible.
More than simply an antique book, it is a volume that has passed through generations, carrying both the history of its printing and the traces of the people who once made it part of their lives.
INQUIRIES
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Collection Reference: AS-1003
Every page has a story. Every story deserves to be preserved.
📜 Preserving History • Inspiring Faith • Connecting Generations.