Thumb Bible (New London, 1831)

History of the Bible. New London, [Conn.]:
Published by W. & J. Bolles, 1831. (BRB0438)

The twenty-four wood engravings in this Thumb Bible are identical to images first published by J. and E. Phinney of Cooperstown, New York in 1825. The illustrations are distinctive, particularly as the majority of the images are of individuals rather than scenes from the Bible. It has been suggested that these striking biblical figures were portraits of farmers in the Cooperstown area. A remarkably popular work, the Phinney firm reprinted its Thumb Bible at least fifteen times between 1825 and 1859. The work was also copied by other printers such as W. & J. Bolles, who published this pirated edition six years after the work first appeared.