1793 OSTERVALD BIBLE
Printed by and for John Taylor

Old Testament, Apocrypha and New Testament of our Lord Jesus Christ: with arguments prefixed to the different books and moral and theological observations at the end of every chapter compared by The Reverend Mr. Ostervald, Professor of Divinity and one of the ministers of the church at Neufchatel in Switzerland. Translated at the desire of and recommended by The Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge. Berwick: Printed by and for John Taylor, MDCCXCIII.

It's possible this could be an American edition and if so the value would be much higher. See Hills #16 for the complete story of the 1788 Bible which was printed for the proprietors and sold by all booksellers in the United States. The Bible was imprinted Berwick: Printed by and for John Taylor the same as this Bible. The theory was that this Bible may be the folio Bible published by William Woodhouse of Philadelphia, but, since it was never located it can't be established.

The Bible is 240x184 mm. (10.5"x8.5"x3.5") and includes 22 plates on laid paper with watermark of fleur-de-lis France. Preliminary Discourse (6 pages); Table of Jewish Weights, Coins and Measures; Names and Order of Books. 8-page signatures beginning with A at Genesis 1:1. Old Testament ends with sig 4X. Apocrypha begins with sig A and ends with S. All signatures skip the letters J, V, W. New Testament begins with sig A2and ends with Ee.

Written on front endpapers King george the forth crowned July 19, 1821 at Westmore Haby. George the forth was crowned July 21, 1821 at Westminster Abbey. Signature of William Goodson. On verso is signature of John Goodson, Weston Turville Bucks

On the back endpaper appears John Axtell, Weston Turville, December 10, 1831 Bucks.

The twenty-two plates on laid paper do not have artist or engraver identification but it is well known that Abraham Girardet (1764-1823) illustrated for Ostervald in his early years.

Jean Frederic Ostervald, Swiss Protestant divine was born at Neuchatel on November 25, 1663. He was educated at Zurich and at Saumur. Studied theology at Orleans under Claude Pajon at Paris under Jean Claude and at Geneva under Louis Tronchin and was ordained to the ministry in 1683. Bagster's 1831 London Polygot which included eight languages and one of those was the French version by Ostervald.

22 Plates Illustrations verso blank on laid paper (9 horizontal lines 28 mm apart):

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The first two pictures show the watermark on the laid paper of a 'Fleur-de-lis' of France. The picture was taken from the image Baptism of Our Lord

  • Abraham Saluting the Three Angels, Genesis Chapter 7
  • Jacobs Dream, Genesis Chapter 27
  • Rachels Policy to Hide the Images, Genesis 31:34
  • Moses Found by Pharoahs Daughter, Exodus 2
  • David Refresheth Saul Playing on His Harp, 1 Samuel 16:23
  • Elisha Raises the Shunammites Son, 2 Kings Chapter 4
  • Manasseh in Captivity at Babylon, 2 Chronicles 12:13
  • The Royal Psalmist, from Signature 3E now loose
  • David in the Lion's Den, Daniel Chapter 6
  • Flight Into Eqypt, Matthew 2:14. New Testament frontispiece
  • Holy Family Resting in Eqypt, Matthew 3
  • The Occupation of the Holy Family, Matthew 3
  • Christ Before Pilate, Matthew 17:27
  • Christ Speaketh on the Payment of Tribute, Mark Chapter 2
  • Christ Taken From The Cross, Mark 15:46
  • The Prophecies of Simeon and Anna, Luke 2
  • Christ Questioned by the Doctors, Luke Chapter 2
  • Baptism of Our Lord, Luke 3:22
  • The Good Samaritan, Luke 10:34
  • The Resurrection of Our Lord
  • Christ Bearing His Cross, John 10:17
  • Peter and John Heal the Lame Man, Acts 111

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Condition: Both covers are attached. Foxing and age as expected. OT title page rumpled and part (not text) missing. The front and back covers have been resewn with another reinforcement which attaches to part of the original leather. Spine is starting to break.