Basic Tools to help identify, compare, and date your Bible editions.
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Bible Identification Wizard
Follow these steps to identify your Bible edition:
Step 1: Examine the Title Page
Look for these key elements:
- Publisher’s name and location
- Publication date (may be Roman numerals)
- Edition number or printing information
- Translator’s name (if applicable)
Step 2: Check for a Copyright Page
Modern Bibles will have a copyright page that includes:
- Copyright dates (look for the earliest date)
- ISBN number (for books printed after 1970)
- Printing history (may show “First printing” with date)
- Library of Congress catalog number (US editions)
Step 3: Examine Physical Characteristics
Note these physical features:
- Binding material (leather, cloth, paper, etc.)
- Cover decorations (embossing, gold tooling)
- Page edges (gilt, marbled, or plain)
- Size and thickness
- Presence of illustrations or maps
Step 4: Identify Unique Features
Look for these distinguishing characteristics:
- Publisher’s marks or logos
- Dedication pages or prefaces
- Marginal notes or cross-references
- Chapter summaries or headings
- Apocrypha inclusion (for some editions)
Early Bible Detailed Visual Comparison
Compare your Bible with these reference images:
King James Version (1611)
Black letter text, ornate initials, marginal notes
Geneva Bible (1557)
Roman type, extensive marginal notes, chapter summaries
Coverdale Bible (1535)
Gothic type, woodcut illustrations, prologues
Printing Date Estimator
Estimate when your Bible was printed based on its features:
Bible Edition Reference Library
Bible editions throughout history:
King James Version (KJV)
First Published: 1611
Distinctive Features: Authorized Version, blackletter type, chapter summaries
Common Printings: Oxford, Cambridge, London
Geneva Bible
First Published: 1560
Distinctive Features: Roman type, extensive marginal notes, first English study Bible
Common Printings: Geneva, London, Edinburgh
Coverdale Bible
First Published: 1535
Distinctive Features: First complete printed English Bible, Gothic type, woodcuts
Common Printings: Zurich, Cologne, London
Disclaimer – This tool is a Beta edition; results are basic and may produce errors. For a comprehensive Bible Edition Identification consult a professional that can examine your Bible.
