1855 THE NEW TESTAMENT. Copy Gifted Onboard the Largest Slave Cotton & Emigrant Ship in America.

A superb little historically situated New Testament. Produced by the America Bible Society, these were the same size Testaments produced for soldiers during the Civil War, they had been issued to be distributed cheaply among those heading West during the Westward Expansion, and to be distributed to those emigrating to the United States. 

The Rappahannock, Commanded by William Cushing, was the largest boat constructed in America to the time. It hauled slave-harvested cotton from New Orleans to Liverpool and returned with goods and emigrants headed to America. Cushing's family was deeply connected to the Bible Society and likely had been encouraged to distribute New Testaments to those he picked up in Liverpool and headed to America. 

Exceptional article on the Rappahannock HERE

The New Testament of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Translated Out of the Original Greek; and with the Former Translations Diligently Compared and Revised. New York. American Bible Society. 1855. 356pp.

A fair copy only, bound in cloth, nearly disbound, with light foxing, some toning, staining, and handled pages. The sea was perhaps not kind on this voyage.