1614 KJV Apocrypha – Ecclesiasticus Sections & 6 Loose Leaves
1614 King James Bible Apocrypha – Ecclesiasticus Bound Sections & 6 Loose Leaves
ITEM OVERVIEW
An unusual assemblage of early seventeenth-century biblical printing associated with the Apocrypha of the King James Bible, comprising two substantial bound text sections from Ecclesiasticus (also known as The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach), together with six separate loose leaves from the Apocryphal books of The Wisdom of Solomon and Judith.
The material features traditional blackletter typography, printed marginal references, decorative woodcut initials, and the characteristic paper and printing of the period. The bound sections retain substantial sequences of biblical text, while the additional loose leaves offer further examples of the original printed pages.
The material is provisionally attributed to the 1614 King James Bible printed in London by Robert Barker, subject to final bibliographical verification.
BOUND SECTION I — ECCLESIASTICUS
Recorded pagination: Pages 481–496
The first bound section contains the opening portion of Ecclesiasticus, beginning with the title leaf and introductory material and continuing through portions of the early chapters and into Chapter XXIX.
Notable features include:
A title heading reading “The Wisedome of Iefus the sonne of Sirach, or Ecclesiasticus.”
The introductory text, “A Prologue made by an uncertaine authour.”
“The Prologue of the Wisedome of Iefus the sonne of Sirach.”
Chapter I, verses 1–8, accompanied by an ornamental historiated woodcut initial.
Substantial surviving passages from the early chapters, including Chapters XII–XIX and XXVIII–XXIX, as documented in the surviving page views.
This section preserves an early printed presentation of the Apocryphal wisdom text, with its original typography, marginal references, and decorative printing features.
BOUND SECTION II — ECCLESIASTICUS
Recorded pagination: Pages 497–514
The second bound section continues the text of Ecclesiasticus into its later chapters, preserving substantial passages from Chapters XXX through L (50), according to the recorded page views.
Documented contents include:
Chapters XXX–XXXIII, including the concluding portions of Chapter XXXI and the full recorded text of Chapters XXXII and XXXIII.
Chapters XXXIV–XXXVIII, including passages concerning wisdom, conduct, and religious observance.
Chapters XLI–XLIII, with text concerning mortality, reputation, and the wonders of creation.
Chapters XLIV–XLIX, containing the historical and commemorative passages associated with notable figures.
Chapter L, including verses 1–21 in the final recorded page view.
The final recorded page includes the printer's catchword “Simon” at the lower corner. The precise endpoint and relationship to the book's final pages will be checked against the photographs before the section's completeness is characterized.
Together, the two bound sections preserve a substantial amount of the original Ecclesiasticus text in its early seventeenth-century printed form.
SIX ADDITIONAL LOOSE APOCRYPHA LEAVES
The assemblage also includes six separate leaves, each printed on both sides, representing twelve printed page sides in total. These leaves contain passages from The Wisdom of Solomon and Judith.
Leaves from The Wisdom of Solomon
Loose Leaf 1
Side A: Wisdom II:11–24, III:1–19, and IV:1–4.
Side B: Wisdom VI:5–25 and VII:1–30.
Loose Leaf 2
Side A: Title heading “The Wisedome of Salomon,” followed by Wisdom I:1–16 and II:1–10, with a decorative initial “O.”
Side B: Wisdom III:10–19 and IV:1–20.
Loose Leaf 3
Side A: Wisdom VIII:9–21, IX:1–18, and X:1–2.
Side B: Wisdom IX:11–18 and X:1–21.
Loose Leaf 4
Side A: Wisdom XI:12–26 and XII:1–2.
Side B: Wisdom XII:13–27, XIII:1–19, and XIV:1–11.
Loose Leaf 5
Side A: Wisdom XIV:12–31 and XV:1–15.
Side B: Wisdom XV:16–19 and XVI:1–29.
Leaves from Judith
Loose Leaf 6
Side A: Judith V:1–24 and VI:1–12.
Side B: Judith VII:13–32 and VIII:1–8.
These additional leaves broaden the assemblage beyond Ecclesiasticus, preserving further examples of the Apocrypha's early printed text and layout.
PRINTING AND MATERIAL FEATURES
The surviving material displays several characteristics associated with early seventeenth-century English Bible printing:
Blackletter type.
Printed marginal references.
Handmade paper with visible chain lines where observable.
Decorative woodcut initials, including a historiated initial in the opening section and an ornamental initial in the Wisdom of Solomon title leaf.
Traditional biblical chapter and verse divisions and early-modern spelling.
The pages offer collectors an opportunity to examine the physical format, typography, and printed presentation of Apocryphal scripture from the period.
CONDITION:
The surviving material remains substantially legible, with dark printed text and a warm patina consistent with age. The condition varies between the bound sections and loose leaves.
Paper & Toning: The paper displays natural yellowing and warm toning consistent with centuries of age, together with light smudging from historical handling.
Inner Margins & Gutters: The bound sections show wear along their inner margins, including creasing and fibrous separation at the former binding axis. These features are visible in the accompanying photographs.
Loose Leaves: The final loose leaves have some loss along the inner gutter margins. As described, this loss does not extend into the printed text area.
Outer Margins & Corners: Minor edge wear is present, including a few small dog-eared corners and areas of localized fragility along the outer borders.
Printed Text & Ink: The black printing remains prominent and legible across the surviving material. Decorative woodcut initials remain visible.
These are historical printed artifacts, not modern reproductions. Their age, former binding structure, and physical wear are part of their surviving condition. Please examine all photographs carefully, including both sides of every loose leaf and the inner margins of both bound sections, before acquisition.
HISTORICAL AND COLLECTING SIGNIFICANCE
This assemblage brings together two substantial bound portions of Ecclesiasticus and six additional loose Apocrypha leaves from The Wisdom of Solomon and Judith. Its value to collectors lies in the survival of the early printed text, the distinctive typography and decorative elements, and the opportunity to study multiple Apocryphal books represented in a single offering.
Rather than a modern reproduction, this is historical printed material intended for collectors interested in early English biblical printing, the King James Bible tradition, and the preservation of original textual artifacts.
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Collection Reference: AS- 1062
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