An unusually finely preserved example of the Second American edition of John Brown's "Self-Interpreting Bible," the most influential family Bible of the 19th century in both America and the United Kingdom.
The first American issue came complete with George Washington as a subscriber. The second, here, was published in a massive 17 inch folio with full page engravings throughout, distinct from the engravings of the first edition. This particular suite of engravings, by American engraver, Joshua H. Seymour [Act.1797-1822] have often been noted as perhaps the most macabre of the era, seemingly selecting intensely violent scenes of the Scriptures and depicting them in vivid detail. Some early reviewers felt the engravings in poor taste and inappropriate for the sacred text.
Brown, John. The Self-Interpreting Bible: Containing the Sacred Text of the Old and New Testaments. Translated From the Original Tongues, and with the Former Translations Diligently Compared and Revised. To Which are Annexed, Marginal References and Illustrations; and Exact Summary of the Several Books; a Paraphrase on the Most Obscure or Important Parts. An Analysis of the Contents of Each Chapter; Explanatory Notes, and Evangelical Reflections. By the Late Reverend John Brown, Minister of the Gospel at Haddington. The Second American Edition. New-York. Printed by Sage and Clough, for Robert McDermut, and Sold at His Book-store. 1806. Unpaginated.
A good + copy, bound in leather, with tender hinges but generally solid, with generally bright pages, light foxing, and stain to the title page.
