1796 AMERICAN BIBLE. Rare Jacob Berriman, First Folio Illustrated Bible Printed in the United States!

The present volume is a true scarcity. Always desirable, as it was the America's first illustrated true folio King James Bible, what makes this particular copy extraordinary is that it actually retains all its engravings.  We can trace only one other example to retain both maps and all 16 full folio engravings. A wonderfully preserved piece of early American printing. 

The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments: Translated Out of the Original Tongues: And with the Former Translations Diligently Compared and Revised. And the Apocrypha with Marginal References. Philadelphia. Printed for Berriman & Co. by Jacob R. Berriman, 1796. 

Since Berriman contract with some of the most important engravers in America, these Bibles have often been gutted of their full page engravings and left as text only with the engravings being sold off at $500 - $1,000 each. 

Engravers include:

Cornelius Tiebout of New York, whose engravings from the same period can fetch tens of thousands of dollars each; his engraving of George Washington from the period was offered at Sotheby's at $35,000.00. 

William Rollinson of New York, whose engravings from the same period also fetch thousands of dollars each. 

Amos Doolittle, known as the Paul Revere of Connecticut, is another early American engraver whose works have fetched over $20,000 each.

No wonder they were often pillaged! 

1. Adam and Eve in the Garden. Genesis Chapter 2. Published by Berriman & Co. 1796. F. Shallus Sculpt.

2. A Correct Map of the Countries Surrounding the Garden of Eden, Or, Paradise, with The Course of Noah's Ark During the Flood. A. Anderson, Sculp. 

3. The Parting of Lot and Abraham. Genesis Chapter 13. Unsigned. Repaired tear just into engraving

4. Hagar in the Wilderness. Genesis Chapter 16. Engraved by C. Tiebout of New York.

5. The Egyptian Midwives. Exodus Chapter 1. by C. Tiebout of New York.

6. An Accurate Map of the Holy Land by Thomas Bowen, Engraved by A. Anderson Sculp

7. Gideon's Sacrifice. Judges Chapter 6. Engraved by C. Tiebout of New York. 

8. Samson Slaying the Philistines. Judges Chapter 15. Engraved by Rollinson of New York.

9. Delilah after Cutting off Samson's Hair. Judges Chapter 16. Engraved by C. Tiebout of New York

10. The Triumph of David after having Slain Goliath. I Samuel 17. Engraved by A. Doolittle of New Haven

11. King David Presenting Uriah with the Letter to Joab. 2 Samuel Chapter 11. Unsigned

12. The Prophet Nathan Rebuking King David. 2 Samuel Chapter 12. Unsigned 

13. The Prophet Elias Carried Up to Heaven. 2 Kings Chapter 2. Unsigned

14. An Exact Representation of Solomon's Temple. Engraved by A. Anderson Sculpt

15. The Prophet Daniel in the Lion's Den. Daniel Chapter 6. Engraved by Cornelius Tiebout.

16. Judas Maccabaeus Defeats the Samarian Army. Maccabees Chapter 5. Engraved by Doolittle

17. The Betrayal of Jesus by Judas. Mark Chapter 14. Engraved by Rollingson of New York. 

18. Paul Preaching at Athens. Acts Chapter 17. Engraved by William Rollinson.

Large folio measuring 11 x 16 1/2 inches; some scattered foxing, heavier at the prelims, three ink stains to pages, one engraving with a repaired tear extending up from the bottom into the image, without loss. Binding is in need of replacement [which we are happy to assist with]. Otherwise, textually complete and generally quite clean and crisp. Lacks blank rfeps and possibly a list of subscribers. 

Negendank family history throughout the volume, ranging from the late 18th century up through the late 19th century.