Antique 1880s G.W. Borland & co. Parallel Family Bible - KJV & Revised Version
A substantial Victorian-era Parallel Family Bible published by G.W. Borland & Co. of Chicago, dating to the early 1880s. This impressive volume combines an elaborate original leather binding with gilt decoration, an unusual presentation of the King James and Revised Version New Testament texts, a large folding biblical map, and handwritten family history spanning more than a century.
PUBLICATION & EDITION
Publisher: G.W. Borland & Co., Chicago
Date: Circa 1882ā1883
Format: Massive Victorian Family Bible
This volume contains the Old and New Testaments, family-history material, biblical illustrations and reference material, together with an unusual parallel presentation of New Testament texts.
PARALLEL NEW TESTAMENT
One of the most distinctive features of this Bible is its inclusion of two separate New Testament text sections.
The volume contains the traditional King James Version (KJV) New Testament as well as a separate New Testament section presenting the Revised Version text published in 1881.
The appearance of both texts in one substantial family Bible places this volume within an important period of transition in English-language Bible publishing, when the newly published Revised Version was being introduced alongside the familiar King James text.
UNITED STATES CENTENNIAL COMMISSION JUDGES' REPORT
The volume contains a United States Centennial Commission Judges' Report title page documenting awards and recognition associated with the printing and binding of the work at the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition.
This original material provides an additional connection between the physical Bible and the history of American nineteenth-century printing and book production.
LARGE FOLDING JERUSALEM MAP
One of the most visually impressive features is the large multi-panel accordion-style folding map depicting Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives.
The map remains fully intact, including its extensive folding sections, and presents an impressive example of the illustrated geographical material incorporated into large Victorian family Bibles.
FAMILY HISTORY ā RAY & WHITE FAMILIES
The volume preserves an extensive handwritten family history documenting the Ray and White family lines from 1847 through 1965.
Additional handwritten theological notes are also preserved within the Bible, providing a glimpse into how the volume was personally used and passed through generations.
This handwritten material gives the Bible a documented personal history extending well beyond its original publication.
ORIGINAL LEATHER BINDING & GILT DECORATION
The Bible retains its substantial original leather binding with deeply blind-stamped decorative panels, raised design elements, and elaborate gold-gilt filigree borders.
The original leather remains solid overall, with no observed flaking or red rot.
The gilt page edges remain bright and reflective, adding to the impressive appearance of the massive text block.
CONDITION
The interior scripture text block remains remarkably bright, clean, and generally well preserved, while the exterior shows the honest wear expected of a large antique volume of this age.
The front cover remains fully attached, although there is cracking along the outer seam and slight separation at the very top joint.
The inner fabric binding hinge is split down to the supporting mesh webbing. Because of the substantial weight of the volume, supported handling when the Bible is opened is recommended.
The original exterior leather remains solid, with no observed flaking or red rot. There are two localized surface cracks on the spine.
Several pages near the very end of the volume have water staining confined to the corners and margins. The affected text remains fully readable.
The first approximately 7ā8 introductory pages show some paper creasing. Approximately 2ā3 interior pages have minor tears measuring around 1.5 inches.
The family portrait section remains present, although some of the decorative cardboard material surrounding the frame windows has small areas of loss.
An old cellophane-tape repair is also present on an early blank flyleaf page.
All of these condition details are disclosed for accuracy, and the accompanying photographs provide a detailed view of the binding, pages, illustrations, family records, and areas of wear.
PHYSICAL CHARACTER
This is a genuinely substantial Victorian family Bible, designed as an impressive household volume rather than a small personal edition.
Its combination of large format, original decorative leather binding, gilt edges, multiple New Testament presentations, large folding biblical map, and extensive handwritten family records makes this particular copy especially interesting to collectors of antiquarian Bibles and family-history material.
A VICTORIAN BIBLE WITH LAYERS OF HISTORY
This G.W. Borland & Co. Family Bible brings together several different kinds of historical evidence in one volume: nineteenth-century American Bible publishing, the transition surrounding the 1881 Revised Version, illustrated biblical geography, Victorian binding craftsmanship, and more than a century of handwritten family history.
The Ray and White family records, beginning in 1847 and continuing into the twentieth century, give this particular copy a personal story that extends across generations.
COLLECTION REFERENCE
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Collection Reference: AS-1007
Every page has a story. Every story deserves to be preserved.
š Preserving History ā¢ Inspiring Faith ā¢ Connecting Generations.