1611 KjV First Edition, Fourth Printing - Imperial Pulpit Folio – Minor Prophets
1611 KJV Imperial Pulpit Folio – Minor Prophets (Hosea to Malachi)
Robert Barker • London • 1611 • First Edition, Fourth Printing
A Distinguished Landmark
An extraordinary opportunity to acquire a genuine continuous section of the 1611 King James Bible, preserving the complete sequence of the Minor Prophets from Hosea through Malachi.
Printed in London by Robert Barker, Printer to the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, this historic section preserves the distinctive black-letter typography, ornamental woodcut initials, decorative headpieces, and imposing large-folio format associated with early King James Bible printing.
The set is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity and represents a substantial, continuous portion of one of the most important English Bible editions in history.
Signature Highlight
The concluding leaf of Malachi features the historic “The end of the Prophets” statement, marking the completion of the Old Testament prophetic books.
Particularly noteworthy is the extensive period handwritten provenance and marginalia appearing on the reverse of this final leaf. These handwritten inscriptions provide a fascinating glimpse into the later history of the volume and the individuals who handled and preserved it generations ago.
Highlights
• 1611 King James Bible — A genuine section from the early King James Bible printed by Robert Barker in London.
• Complete Minor Prophets Sequence — Continuous text running from Hosea through Malachi.
• Large Pulpit Folio Format — Approximately 10¼" × 15½", reflecting the substantial format intended for church and institutional use.
• Historic Black-Letter Typography — Bold Gothic type characteristic of early seventeenth-century English Bible printing.
• Ornamental Woodcut Initials — Decorative initials and typographic features appear throughout the section, including prominent openings within the prophetic books.
• “The end of the Prophets” — The concluding Malachi leaf preserves this distinctive historical statement.
• Period Handwritten Provenance — Extensive early handwritten inscriptions appear on the reverse of the concluding leaf.
• Certificate of Authenticity — Accompanied by a formal Certificate of Authenticity.
Condition
The leaves remain stable, crisp, and highly legible, with the black-letter text and decorative woodcut elements remaining strong and well defined.
As expected of a section that has survived more than four centuries, there are signs of authentic age and historical use, including minor foxing, isolated spotting, and a few small stains.
The bound section remains structurally sound. The final Malachi leaf has some slight separation at the gutter, but it remains completely attached and presents well.
The overall condition is consistent with an authentic early seventeenth-century biblical text that has been preserved through generations of use and care.
Physical Specifications
Printer: Robert Barker, Printer to the King’s Most Excellent Majesty
Place of Publication: London
Date: 1611
Edition: First Edition, Fourth Printing
Dimensions: Approximately 10¼" × 15½"
Format: Large Imperial Pulpit Folio
Binding: Bound section / continuous text block
Special Features: “The end of the Prophets” concluding leaf; extensive period handwritten inscriptions; Certificate of Authenticity
Curator’s Observation
When the King James Bible appeared in 1611, its large folio editions were produced for substantial, practical use, including reading in churches and other settings. Four centuries later, surviving continuous sections offer a remarkable opportunity to experience the Bible not merely as a collection of individual leaves, but as an intact portion of the original printed work.
This section is particularly compelling because it carries the reader through the entire sequence of the Minor Prophets, from Hosea to Malachi, culminating in the historic “The end of the Prophets” leaf.
The handwritten inscriptions on the reverse add another layer of history, preserving evidence of the people who encountered and cared for these pages long after their original printing.
A Remarkable Piece of Biblical History
Few objects allow a collector to hold such a substantial, continuous portion of the 1611 King James Bible while also seeing evidence of its centuries-long journey through human hands.
From the bold typography of Robert Barker’s press to the handwritten marks left by later generations, this section embodies the layers of history that make early biblical books so compelling.
The condition notes above reflect observations made during examination; the accompanying photographs provide the collector with the opportunity to conduct their own assessment of the material.
Inquiry to Purchase
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Collection Reference: AS-1043
Every page has a story. Every story deserves to be preserved.
Preserving History • Inspiring Faith • Connecting Generations.