1611 KJV Imperial Pulpit Folio Apocrypha – 104 individual leaves (208 pages)
1611 KJV Imperial Pulpit Folio Apocrypha – Complete Bound Section, First Edition, Fourth Printing. 104 individual leaves (208 pages)
OWN A TEXTUALLY COMPLETE PIECE OF CHRISTIAN & LITERARY HISTORY
Presenting a breathtaking, genuine 392-year-old "Noble Fragment"—a substantial portion of the most influential book in the English language. This is not a common, smaller edition; it is a massive Pulpit Folio, the grandest scale of the King James Bible. This textually complete Apocrypha section includes all 104 individual leaves (208 pages), spanning from 1 Esdras through 2 Maccabees.
ITEM OVERVIEW
Offered is a substantial original bound text section from the 1611 King James Version of the Holy Bible, identified as the First Edition, Fourth Printing, printed in London by Robert Barker, Printer to the King's Most Excellent Majesty.
This historical folio section preserves the concluding portion of the Apocrypha, including the final chapter of 2 Maccabees and the terminal printing statement, “THE END OF APOCRYPHA.” Retaining its original printed text and historical annotations, the section provides a tangible connection to the early production and circulation of the King James Bible.
Unlike individual detached leaves, this offering preserves an extended sequence of biblical text in a bound-section format. Although some structural separation is present, the surviving text remains a substantial historical unit for collectors, researchers, and caretakers of early English Bibles.
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Work: The Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version)
Year: 1611
Edition/Printing: First Edition, Fourth Printing, as identified in the item's bibliographical research
Printer: Robert Barker, London
Format: Large folio, described as an Imperial Pulpit Folio
Section: Apocrypha, concluding with 2 Maccabees, Chapter 15
Typography: Traditional blackletter (Gothic) text with Roman headings and marginal references
Text Layout: Two-column format, with 59 lines of text per column
Approximate Dimensions: 10¼ × 15¾ inches
Paper: Original seventeenth-century rag paper
TEXTUAL CONTENT AND HISTORICAL FEATURES
This bound section preserves the concluding portion of the Apocrypha in the monumental folio format associated with early King James Bible printing.
The typography features traditional blackletter text, Roman headings, marginal references, archaic English spellings, and the distinctive letterforms characteristic of early seventeenth-century printing. Decorative initials and other typographical elements contribute to the historical character of the surviving pages.
The section concludes with 2 Maccabees, Chapter 15, followed by the terminal printing statement, “THE END OF APOCRYPHA.” This provides a clear endpoint to the surviving text and marks the conclusion of the Apocrypha within the original biblical arrangement.
The retained bound structure, large folio dimensions, and substantial sequence of printed text distinguish this piece from an isolated leaf or small group of detached pages.
CONDITION:
This historical section remains in unrestored condition, preserving its original paper, printed text, and evidence of historical handling. The following observations were recorded during physical examination.
Binding and Text Block: The section is loosely bound as a standalone text block. The first three leaves are beginning to separate along the lower gutter margins but remain attached. The final leaf, containing 2 Maccabees, Chapter 15, is completely detached. These structural issues are disclosed to provide an accurate assessment of the section's present condition.
Paper and Surface: The original rag paper remains reasonably robust, with minor age-related foxing confined to approximately four or five localized spots throughout the text block. Natural yellow toning is visible on one or two pages.
Tears and Markings: A stable tear is present on the detached final leaf. According to the examination, the tear does not result in text loss. A small horizontal black ink mark or smudge is also visible near the inner gutter, as shown in the accompanying photographs.
Historical Handwritten Annotations: Several pages bear handwritten names and marginal inscriptions, including “Sarah” and “Madam,” recorded on approximately four or five pages. These inscriptions provide evidence of historical interaction with the text. Their precise dates and authorship have not been established, although their handwriting may be consistent with a later seventeenth- or early eighteenth-century period.
Overall Presentation: Despite the noted structural issues, the section retains its substantial printed text, distinctive typography, and historical character. Its present condition should be considered carefully by prospective collectors, particularly those interested in preservation or conservation.
PHOTOGRAPHIC DOCUMENTATION
The accompanying photographs depict the actual historical material and provide views of the printed text, margins, handwritten annotations, gutter condition, and detached final leaf.
The condition observations above reflect physical examination. Prospective collectors are encouraged to review all photographs closely and independently assess the paper, text, structural integrity, and visible imperfections before making an acquisition decision.
HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE
The 1611 King James Bible occupies a defining place in the history of English-language Scripture. Its publication represented a major undertaking in biblical translation and printing, and its influence on English religious, literary, and cultural history has endured for centuries.
Robert Barker's printing operation was central to the production of early King James Bible editions. Surviving folio sections preserve not only the printed biblical text but also the physical characteristics of early printing, including period typography, handmade paper, and the marks of subsequent use.
The handwritten annotations on this example add a further dimension to its history. Although their authors and dates remain uncertain, they suggest that the text continued to be handled and encountered by readers after its original production.
For collectors of early English Bibles and historical religious printing, this bound section offers an opportunity to preserve a substantial portion of an important biblical tradition, complete with surviving evidence of its physical history.
A NOTE ON PRESERVATION
At Ages of Scripture, we regard historical biblical materials as more than surviving printed pages. They are tangible witnesses to the history of Scripture, the craft of printing, and the generations of readers who encountered these texts.
Our role is to preserve these materials responsibly, document their condition accurately, and connect them with future caretakers who appreciate their historical, textual, and spiritual significance.
INQUIRY TO PURCHASE
Please select Inquire to Purchase and complete the inquiry form. Include Collection Reference AS-1056 so we can promptly identify the item of interest.
Collection Reference: AS-1066
Every page has a story. Every story deserves to be preserved.
Preserving History • Inspiring Faith • Connecting Generations.