The King James Bible of 1611

The Holy Bible, Conteyning the Old Testament, and the New: Newly Translated out of the originall tongues: & with the former Translations diligently compared and revised by his Majesties speciall comandement. Appointed to be read in Churches.
London: Robert Barker, 1611. (10601)

Exhibited is the first edition of the King James Bible, a book of 1,464 pages printed in folio format that was intended for use on the lectern in a church. The title page was engraved by Cornelius Boel, a well-known artist from Antwerp who had been engraving portraits at the English royal court for many years. The architectural frame surrounding the title contains symbols of the Trinity at the top, and images of the four evangelists, the apostles of Christ, the Old Testament figures Moses and Aaron, and an emblem below showing a pelican feeding her young from the flesh of her own breast—an ancient symbol of Christ’s self-sacrifice.

_{Presented to Bridwell Library by Lucia and Carr P. Collins, Jr.}