This is one of the best-preserved bindings we have ever handled on a massive 19th century family Bible. While there are some interior faults, the binding itself is just gorgeous, with the leather remaining brightly embossed, supple, and having a very nice patina. Because of the sheer weight of these volumes, boards being detached is the norm, often leading to a loss of the spine cover, etc., Not on this one. Really lovely.
Extensive illustrations and plates by Gustave Dore, etc.
National Publishing Co.'s Superfine Edition. New Devotional and Practical Pictorial Family Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments, Apocrypha, Concordance, and Psalms in Metre, Translated Out of the Original Tongues, with all former Translations diligently Compared and Revised. Together with a Carefully Abridged Edition of Dr. Wm. Smith's Complete Dictionary of the Bible, and a History of All the Religious Denominations of the World, History of the Translation of the Bible, an Illustrated History of All the Books of the Bible, Chronological and Other Useful Tables, Treatises, Maps, etc. Designed to Promote and Facilitate the Study of the Sacred Scriptures. Compiled with Great Care from the Most Authentic Sources. Embellished with over 1000 Fine Scripture Illustrations. National Publishing Co., and Jones Brothers & Co. 1879.
As mentioned, binding very attractive. Weak at first few signatures and last few leaves, then fine throughout the remainder, bearing in mind a volume of this weight will always need to be handled with care.
It contains the full color lithograph marriage license of Albert Clinton Shimmel and Sarah Ann Hetherington who were married in Three Rivers, Michigan by Rev. J. A. Sprague. It also contains the Birth record, filled in with the Shimmel family, beginning with Albert C, born 1858. One tin-type photograph at rear, stamped "Theo D. Johnson," perhaps Johnson being the photographer and the photo being of young Albert Shimmel.
