1611 King James Bible Pulpit Folio Leaf — Psalms 42–45
Original 1611-Series King James Bible Pulpit Folio Leaf – Psalms 42–45, “As the Hart Panteth” with Historic Altar Candle Provenance (1617 3rd Printing)
Acquire an exceptional and visually striking passage from the Old Testament, preserving some of the most memorable language in the Psalms and an extraordinary glimpse into the physical history of early English Bible printing.
This original King James Bible Pulpit Folio leaf is identified by its accompanying Certificate of Authenticity as First Edition — 1617 — 3rd Printing. Its imposing format, Gothic typography, ornate woodcut initials, and fascinating evidence of historic use make it an especially compelling piece for the antiquarian Bible collector.
This extraordinary double-sided leaf contains the complete text of Psalms 42, 43, and 44, together with the opening of Psalm 45. Among its most celebrated passages is the opening of Psalm 42:
«“As the Hart panteth after the water brookes, so panteth my soule after thee, O God.”»
The leaf also preserves the opening portion of Psalm 45, including its celebrated description of the queen “in golde of Ophir.”
Adding substantially to its visual appeal are four large woodcut initials — “A,” “J,” “W,” and “M” — distributed throughout the page.
Historical Character & Candle Marks
One of the most intriguing features of this leaf is the localized dark staining and tiny dark singe marks surrounding the large woodcut initial “A” at Psalm 42.
The marks are consistent with historic exposure to candle wax, tallow, or an open flame. Although the exact date and circumstances of their creation cannot be determined, they represent physical evidence of the environments in which an early Bible leaf may have been handled and used.
These unusual marks give the page an especially tangible sense of history. Rather than being simply an old sheet of paper, this leaf visibly carries traces of the centuries through which it has survived.
Additional signs of age and handling—including surface soiling, marginal wear, and an early handwritten notation—further contribute to its authentic antiquarian character.
Historical Significance
The King James Bible, first published in 1611, represents one of the defining achievements of English Bible translation and early modern printing.
Large Pulpit Folio Bibles were produced in an imposing format suitable for public reading and display. Their enormous pages, dense Gothic type, decorative initials, and carefully arranged text reflect the craftsmanship and printing traditions of the early seventeenth century.
This leaf offers collectors an opportunity to preserve an original page from that history while retaining the physical marks accumulated through centuries of age and use.
Technical Specifications & Diagnostics
Translation: King James Version (Authorized Version)
Printing: 1617 — 3rd Printing
Printed At: London
Edition: First Edition — as identified by the accompanying COA
Content: Psalms 42, 43, 44 & opening of Psalm 45
Format: Imperial Pulpit Folio
Approximate Dimensions: 10¾" × 16¾"
Typography: Traditional Gothic Blackletter with Roman marginal elements
Text Layout: 59 lines per full column
Woodcut Initials: Four — “A,” “J,” “W,” and “M”
Printer Reference Mark: “DDD 2”
The distinctive 59-line column structure is an important physical characteristic of the large-format King James Bible printing tradition and contributes to the identification of this leaf.
Condition & Authenticity
Overall Condition: Honest, stable antiquarian condition with substantial historic character. The original rag paper remains strong, resilient, and flexible.
Toning & Aging: Rich, deep amber-yellow age-toning is present across both sides of the leaf, accompanied by a light scattering of natural foxing and other minor age-related discoloration.
Staining & Historic Marks: Localized dark candle-wax/tallow-like staining and tiny dark singe marks are present near the large woodcut initial “A.” Light surface soiling is also visible around portions of the upper and outer margins. These characteristics have been retained as part of the leaf's authentic history.
Marginal Wear: The lower-right corner exhibits paper loss and chipping a few small tears confined entirely to the blank margin. The wear does not extend into the text block or affect the woodcut decoration.
Historical Handwriting: An early hand-inked notation appears in the upper margin. Its precise purpose cannot be definitively established, but it may represent an early ownership, cataloging, binding, or sequence notation and adds another fascinating layer to the leaf's history.
Provenance: Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity identifying the leaf as First Edition — 1617 — 3rd Printing.
Preservation & Display
With its imposing size, four decorative woodcut initials, celebrated Psalm passages, and visible evidence of centuries of handling, this leaf is particularly well suited for archival preservation or display.
Its relatively flat condition allows the typography and decorative elements to remain exceptionally clear when presented in an appropriate archival sleeve or frame.
This is more than a page from an old Bible. It is an original historical artifact carrying the marks of time, craftsmanship, use, and preservation across more than four centuries.
INQUIRIES
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Collection Reference: AS-1017
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