1661 BIBLE in ENGLISH antique OLD TESTAMENT original binding CAMBRIDGE Red-Ruled

[BIBLE in ENGLISH, Red-Ruled Bible]

 [HUGUENOT PROVENANCE - FERRIER FAMILY]

printed in Cambridge: John Field, Printer to the University of Cambridge; 1661

OLD TESTAMENT ONLY, with Psalms

A monumental jewel of 17th-century British printing, beautifully illustrated with an imposing architectural title page engraved in copper by the celebrated engraver John Vaughan
(title page signed "Guh: Vaughan sculpsit"), which incorporates the legendary historic coat of arms of the University of Cambridge ("Hinc Lucem et Pocula Sacra").

ENTIRELY HAND-RULED (RED-RULED BIBLE)

"Red-Ruled Bible," an exclusive finish reserved solely for copies intended for royalty, the high aristocracy, or the most influential figures of the time.

 Each page has been meticulously hand-rubricated with a double line of red ink along all margins and text columns.

( In the 17th century, the process of rubricating an entire book required hundreds of hours of manual work by a skilled calligrapher or bookbinder. This doubled or tripled the final price of the book at the time, placing it within reach only of the noblest and wealthiest families in Great Britain )

With period handwritten signature of its original owner, "E. Ferrier," on the front endpaper.

The distinguished Ferrier family (of Huguenot/French-British origin) was part of the elite of landowners, scholars, and diplomats of the 17th and 18th centuries.
The fact that a member of this lineage affixed their signature to such an expensive Bible confirms that this volume belonged to the circles of the British high aristocracy and Protestant nobility, where owning a personalized Cambridge Bible was the ultimate symbol of status, piety, and economic power.

Original full leather binding with embossing and gold leaf work.

It features very fine golden borders, floral motifs in the corners and a delicate baroque lace on the spine with marked and fire-gilded ribs. Marbled endpapers

Engraved Title Page + [2] + 985 pp.

Some wear and signs of age.
Dedication page to "King James" partially torn.
Reinforced with period paper on the front endpaper.

Size: 4 3/4 by 7"

Text in English
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