MATTHEW BIBLE [1551]
The Byble, that is to saye all the Holye Scripture:
In which are contained the olde and new Testament, Truly and purely translated into English, & now lately with great industry & diligence recogniysed
Imprynted at London by Thomas Petyt, dwelling in Paules Churchyarde at the Signe of the Maydens Heade 1551. vi, day of Maye, M.D.CJ [i.e 6 May 1551]
Engraved title page in red and black [? an early copy on different paper], verso The Almanack for XXIX years beginning 1549. There are 10 l.,only of the preliminary pages including the title page, A Table of Principal Matters followed by A perfit supputacion…; A Prologue Shewynge the use of the Scriptures; The Names of the Bokes of the Bible; A Register of a briefe rehearsal of all the names of the most famous and notable persons…; Genesis to Deuteronomy; i - cxii
Engraved title page for The Second Part of the Bible. Joshua to Job; ii - clv
Engraved title page for the Third Part of the Bible containing these books The Psalter to Malachy; ii - cxc.
Engraved title page to The Volume of the Bokes Called Apocripha; ii - cii
Engraved title page to ‘The Newe Testament of Oure Savoure Jesu Christ…. With ‘Imprinted at London in the yeare of Our Lord God, 1551’. ii - cl. Contains William Tyndales Notes to the Reader. The colophon at the end reads Imprynted at London by Nicolas Hyl for Thomas Petyt, dwelling in Paules Churchyarde at the Sygne of the Maydens Heade 1551.
Folio [310mm] approximately 1470p, lacking 10 leaves at the beginning of the text following the title page, apart from this it appears to be complete. Double column, gothic print, pages at the beginning, but not the title page, [approx. 30 l.,] have insect or rodent damage along the fore edge, not effecting the text, and lessening as it goes on, occasional soiling, minor damp, some of the early pages have paper repairs along the gutter, some early notations, margins trimmed entering some headlines and side notes. Bound in the original leather on wood panels, with the brass centre and corner pieces, lacking the clasps, early rebacking on cords, some worm holes to the boards and leather worn and abraded.
This bible was printed in English on paper in London, England by Nicholas Hyl in 1551. It is an example of an early Reformation Bible which was done at the risk of the translators [William Tyndale] life so that the Bible could be read by those who couldn’t read Latin.
Hyll couldn’t attribute the translation to Tyndall so he created the pseudonym Thomas Matthew.
Also known as the Bug Bible on account of Psalm xci, 5. ‘So that thous shalt not need to be afrayed for anye bugges by nyghte, nor for the arrow that flyeth by day.