1827 THE COMPREHENSIVE BIBLE. Rare Wide Margin Folio Owned by Early Prison Reformer.

An exceptionally rare volume with multiple points of interest

A likely unique imprint of the first edition of the influential "Comprehensive Bible," being the quarto text printed on large hand-laid folio with wide margins for a scholar. We trace not a single other example of this printing format. 

Additionally, this was the copy of influential Prison Chaplain and reformer, John Clay [1796-1858]. He was the Chaplain at Preston, Lancashire. His years of detailed record-keeping and reporting on the prison made him a national figure in the prison reform movement.

In 1819 prisons began hiring prisoners for labor. This was seen as a positive innovation for the prisoners. In 1823, they were also urged to hire full-time chaplains, the first of which at Preston was Clay. Clay criticized the prison for its use of the "scold's bridle," the "treadmill," and other punitive artifacts used to torture prisoners. This led to the removal of the warden after a two years stand off between the two. He was considered more of a radical reformer than Elizabeth Fry, Thomas Fowell Buxton, and others. 

The majority of his manuscript notes are in the New Testament, unsurprising since his early training was largely in Greek and the New Testament. 

The Comprehensive Bible; Dedicated by Permission, to His Most Gracious Majesty King George the Fourth, Containing the Old and New Testaments, According to the Authorized Version, with the Various Readings and Marginal Notes Usually Printed Therewith: A General Introduction, Containing Disquisitions on the Genuineness, Authenticity, and Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, -Various Divisions and Marks of Distinction in the Sacred Writings,-Ancient Versions,-Coins, Weights and Measures,-Various Sects among the Jews: Introductions and Concluding Remarks to Each Book: The Parallel Passages Contained in Canne's Bible;-Dr. Adam Clarke's Commentary, 7 Vols.;-Rev. J. Brown's Self-Interpreting Bible, 2 Vols.;-Dr. Blayney's Bible;-Bishop Wilson's Bible, Edited by Crutwell;-Rev. T. Scott's Commentary, 6 Vols. ; and the English Version of Bagster's Polyglott Bible, Systematically Arranged: Philological and Explanatory Notes: Table of Contents, Arranged in Historical Order: An Analysis and Compendium of the Holy Scriptures: A Chronological Index, Interspersed with Synchronisms of the Most Important Epochs and Events in Profane History: An Index to the Notes, Introductions, and Concluding Remarks. Mutae Terricolis Lingueae Coelestibus Una.-ΠΟΛΛΑΙ μεν Θνητοις ΓΛΩΤΤΑΙ, μια δʹΑθανατοισι. London. Printed by Bagster and Thoms, Printers. 1827. 1352pp.

A very good copy, bound in half vellum, generally solid, with generally bright pages, light foxing, and annotated in a period hand.