The Bassandyne Bible, 1576-1579 - Lot 41

The Bassandyne Bible, 1576-1579 Printed in Edinburgh (Edinburgh) with privilege of the King of Scotland James VI. The printing was begun by Thomas Bassandyne, whose name appears on the title page of the New Testament, dated 1576, and completed by Arbuthnot, whose name appears on the general title, dated 1579. In-folio. Missing the general title page, the preliminaries and all the text up to Genesis 19:20, Ezra 2:63-7:13, the blank leaf before the New Testament title, the last leaf of Revelation (from 21: 3) and the first of the Table, the last printed leaf. The New Testament title page is present. Copy in poor condition, missing pages, soiling, stains and minor defects (e.g. minor tears with slight loss of marginal notes); marginal notes often shaved and abraded and titles sometimes shaved or trimmed. Modern half-binding, spine ribbed, title-piece. The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, then Presbyterian, ordered each parish to subscribe to the purchase price before printing began. The intensive use of these Bibles in churches explains why very few copies have survived, even in poor condition.