1611 KJV First Edition, 4th Printing – Complete Ecclesiastes & Song of Solomon
1611 KJV Imperial Pulpit Folio - 1 st Edition, 4th Printing – Complete Ecclesiastes & Song of Solomon – COA
ITEM OVERVIEW
An important piece of early King James Bible history, this original bound folio section contains the complete Book of Ecclesiastes and the complete Song of Solomon, preserved together in a continuous text block.
Printed in London by Robert Barker, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty, this section features the distinctive black-letter (Gothic) typography associated with early King James Bibles, complemented by Roman-type headings, decorative woodcut initials, and original marginal cross-references.
Rather than a collection of individual leaves, this offering is a bound section, retaining its pages together as a physical unit of the original printed Bible.
BIBLIOGRAPHIC SPECIFICATIONS
Work: The Holy Bible, King James Version
Date: Attributed to the early King James Bible printing tradition; First Edition, 4th Printing
Printer: Robert Barker, London
Format: Large Imperial Pulpit Folio bound section
Dimensions: Approximately 10¾ × 15¾ inches
Typography: Black-letter (Gothic) text with Roman-type headings
Text Layout: Two-column format, with 59 lines of text per column
Features: Decorative woodcut initials and marginal cross-references
Certificate: Certificate of Authenticity included
TEXTUAL CONTENT
Ecclesiastes — Complete
The section contains Ecclesiastes, Chapters 1–12, including some of the most enduring passages in English biblical literature:
Chapter 1: “Vanity of vanities; all is vanity.”
Chapter 3: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
Chapter 12: The concluding reflections on life, wisdom, and the duty of humanity.
The Song of Solomon — Complete
The section also contains all eight chapters of the Song of Solomon, celebrated for its poetic language and imagery:
Chapter 2: “I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys.”
Chapter 4: “Thou art all faire, my love; there is no spot in thee.”
Chapter 8: “For love is strong as death.”
Together, these two books preserve a remarkable sequence of biblical wisdom and poetry within a single historical section.
CONDITION:
This early printed section displays attractive period character, with the condition observations below provided to help prospective collectors assess the piece.
Paper and printing: The paper retains visible strength and the printed text remains clear, with natural age-toning consistent with an early printed book.
Margins: A small area is missing from the bottom-right corner of one leaf, confined to the blank margin and not affecting the printed text or marginal references. A few gentle corner folds are also present.
Binding structure: The leaves remain together as a bound section. Slight separation is visible along the inner gutter at the first page; the section otherwise retains its bound form.
Completeness: It includes Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon in full.
The condition description reflects the observations available at the time of listing. Please examine the photographs carefully for a comprehensive view of the paper, printing, margins, and binding.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The King James Bible, first published in 1611, holds a defining place in the history of English-language printing, literature, and religious life. Its language has influenced generations of readers and writers, while its distinctive typography remains recognizable to collectors of early English Bibles.
Large folio editions were produced for substantial use and display, including ecclesiastical settings. A surviving bound section containing two complete biblical books offers collectors an opportunity to study the text, typography, and physical construction of an early printed Bible without requiring the acquisition of an entire volume.
For collectors of antiquarian Bibles and historical Scripture, this section brings together the enduring literary significance of Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon with the material history of early Bible printing.
INQUIRY TO PURCHASE
To inquire about acquiring this historical section, please select Inquire and complete the inquiry form. Include the Collection Reference shown with this listing so the item can be identified promptly.
Collection Reference: AS-1064
Every page has a story. Every story deserves to be preserved.
Preserving History • Inspiring Faith • Connecting Generations.