The Bible. The Ninth Edition.

Taylor, John

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New England: Printed for the Purchaser, (c. 1800). 274pp. Illustrated with a woodcut frontispiece. The ninth edition of John Taylor's Verbum Sempiternum is a rare American Thumb Bible about which only two copies are known, both of which are defective. According to Adomeit, "Epitomes of the story of the Bible were intended to provide early religious instruction for children not yet thought old enough to address the Bible itself," and they provided summaries of each book in short, rhyming verses. First published in London in 1614, this text was extremely popular and remained in print for nearly three centuries. Bound in original plain calf over wooden boards. Several closely cropped pages, with a few words affected, owner's signature on a preliminary blank page, else a fine, complete copy. (Adomeit A130; Welch 1293.9; Evans 35190, MBN no. 83). (1 7/8 by 1 3/4; 47x44mm). (Item ID: 23559)