1540 Great Bible — Joshua 4–7
1540 Great Bible Folio Leaf — Joshua 4–7
Acquire an authentic original leaf from the 1540 Great Bible, one of the most important early milestones in the history of the English Bible.
Produced during the reign of King Henry VIII, the Great Bible holds a landmark place in English printing history as the first English Bible authorized for public reading in parish churches. This impressive folio leaf preserves a dramatic sequence from the Book of Joshua, including the crossing of the Jordan River, the memorial stones at Gilgal, and the fall of Jericho.
Measuring approximately 10¼" × 15¼", the leaf displays the imposing scale, Gothic Black Letter typography, two-column format, and decorative woodcut initials characteristic of early English folio Bibles.
Featured Scripture — Joshua 4–7
This remarkable leaf presents a continuous narrative spanning Joshua Chapters 4 through 7, bringing together several significant events in the Israelites' entry into the Promised Land.
Joshua 4–5 — Crossing the Jordan
The first side continues the account of the Israelites' crossing of the Jordan River, including the establishment of twelve memorial stones as a lasting remembrance of the miraculous crossing.
The narrative continues at Gilgal, where the covenant is renewed and the Israelites prepare for the campaigns that follow.
Historic running headers include:
“Iordane”
and
“Ioshua.”
Joshua 6 — The Fall of Jericho
The second side reaches one of the best-known narratives in the Old Testament: the battle of Jericho.
The text recounts the Israelites' procession around the city, the sounding of the trumpets, and the dramatic collapse of Jericho's walls.
The account also preserves the story of Rahab, who shelters the Israelite spies and is spared when the city falls.
Joshua 7 — The Campaign Continues
The leaf transitions into Joshua Chapter 7, continuing the account of Israel's campaign following the fall of Jericho.
The historic running headers include:
“Iericho”
and
“is destroyed.”
Together, these passages create an unusually engaging continuous narrative across a single sixteenth-century leaf.
Decorative Woodcut Initials
Among the leaf's most attractive features are its prominent ornamental woodcut initials, including large decorative letters introducing the biblical chapters.
The initials “A” and “I” provide striking visual accents against the dense Gothic Black Letter typography.
Combined with the two-column layout and historic running headers, these elements give the page the unmistakable appearance of an early English folio Bible.
The Great Bible
The Great Bible represents a pivotal moment in the history of the English Bible.
Produced during the reign of Henry VIII and associated with the work of Miles Coverdale, the Great Bible was authorized for public reading in English churches. Its production followed earlier English Bible traditions while presenting Scripture in a monumental printed format intended for widespread ecclesiastical use.
This 1540 leaf therefore represents not simply an early printed Bible page, but a tangible artifact from an important chapter in the development of the English Bible.
Format & Dimensions
Date: 1540
Bible: The Great Bible
Format: Folio
Folio Number: Fol. liii.
Dimensions: Approximately 10¼" × 15¼"
Scripture: Joshua 4–7
Typography: Gothic Black Letter
Material: Original sixteenth-century rag paper
Certificate: Certificate of Authenticity included
The folio number “liii.” is visible in the upper-right corner of the leaf.
Visual Features
The leaf retains the imposing two-column format characteristic of early English folio printing, together with substantial Gothic typography and decorative woodcut initials.
Its large dimensions make the typography particularly impressive when viewed in person, while the surviving running headers help guide the reader through the individual biblical sections.
Condition
The leaf presents as an authentic sixteenth-century printed page with its principal text and decorative elements preserved.
The Joshua 4–7 text remains complete and fully legible, with the historic Black Letter typography clearly defined.
The original rag paper retains the substantial character expected of a leaf produced approximately 486 years ago, while the woodcut initials and historic printing details remain visually prominent.
Certificate of Authenticity included.
Preservation & Display
At approximately 10¼" × 15¼", this is an impressive large-format leaf particularly well suited to archival presentation or traditional framing.
Its combination of the crossing of the Jordan, the memorial stones, the fall of Jericho, and the story of Rahab makes it especially compelling for collectors seeking leaves with strong biblical narrative content.
Inquiries
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Collection Reference: AS-1032
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