{"product_id":"1812-holy-bible","title":"1812 HOLY BIBLE. First Stereotyped American Bible - Every American Can Afford Scriptures for the First Time.","description":"\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe 1812 edition of the Holy Bible published by the Bible Society at Philadelphia marks a technological turning point in the nation's printing industry and a moment that catalyzed and intensified the Second Great Awakening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003ePrior to its publication, printing the Bible required typesetters to set every page character by character using individual pieces of loose metal type, which had to be broken down and reused for subsequent projects or tied up in expensive type cases for future editions. Stereotyping revolutionized this process by taking a mold of set type and casting entire solid metal printing plates. Printed in Philadelphia using plates crafted in London by printer T. Rutt, this 1812 volume was the first book printed in the United States using stereotype technology.\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003eEconomically and industrially, stereotyping drastically lowered the cost of production and made continuous mass reprinting feasible without the grueling labor of re-typesetting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eBefore this innovation, American printers struggled to produce affordable local Bibles and relied heavily on expensive imported Bibles from Britain. By acquiring reusable stereotype plates, American publishers laid the groundwork for modern mass-media production. The capability to print thousands of uniform, inexpensive copies enabled early voluntary organizations like the Philadelphia Bible Society, and eventually the American Bible Society, to launch nationwide distribution drives. This capability fueled a massive push to supply Bibles to pioneer families, schools, and impoverished communities across the expanding western frontier, playing a central role in driving early American literacy and religious democratization.\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\"\u003eThe plates arrived in Philadelphia in October 1812, shortly after the outbreak of the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain. Despite intense wartime tensions, British trade blockades, and high import tariffs, the U.S. Congress passed a special act granting a duty-free exemption so the Bible Society could receive the plates from London. This extraordinary legislative action underscored the high cultural and religious importance that early American leaders placed on expanding access to the Scriptures.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInscriptions include, on the flyleaf, \u003cem\u003eEliza A. Anders. Sept 20th 1854. Family Bible\u003c\/em\u003e; on the second blank, \u003cem\u003eBenjamin T. Mumford. Borned in the year of our Lord 1813, August the 19\u003c\/em\u003e; on the third blank, \u003cem\u003e***** H. Mumford Born in the Year Eighteen Hundred and Fourteen, December\u003c\/em\u003e 9; on the blank after the title, \u003cem\u003eJ. Ruben **** Anders 1841 Born January the 21 1841 \u003c\/em\u003e[?];\u003cem\u003e JamesHenry Andres Borned May 2, 1843\u003c\/em\u003e; then at the second blank in the rear, \u003cem\u003eWilliam D. Mumford Born January 1, 1816\u003c\/em\u003e.   \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e[First American Stereotype Bible] The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments: Translated Out of the Original Tongues, and With the Former Translations Diligently Compared and Revised. Stereotype Edition. Stereotyped for the Bible Society at Philadelphia, by T. Rutt, Shacklewell, London. 1812. 633pp + 192pp. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA good - example, bound in its original Bible Society calf binding with losses as shown, a few pieces neatly laid down to spine. Textually better than the binding implies; generally sound and clean with some scattered foxing and a few occasional stains. Foxing a bit worsening around the New Testament title page. Very usable with care and in no danger of coming disbound if handled appropriately. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Specs Fine Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51207212761124,"sku":null,"price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0093\/3910\/9435\/files\/08-06-2026SpecsFineBooks-5.jpg?v=1786066752","url":"https:\/\/specsfinebooks.com\/products\/1812-holy-bible","provider":"Specs Fine Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}