Description
A KJV Bible with printing dates of 1733 (Psalms), 1735 (New Testament), and 1736 (Old Testament), printed by John Baskett.
Size: approx. 7 3/4 inches wide x approx. 9 3/4 inches tall x approx. 3 1/4 inches thick.
Condition: Spine has been repaired with new antiquarian grade reinforcement, headbands and leather. Original leather from spine has been attached with antiquarian grade adhesive to new leather spine. New fly pages. Missing title page from the Book of Common Prayer but otherwise appears to be complete. Normal browning to some pages, a few small tears, text is clear and very easy to read. See all photos and read description for condition.
- A historical artifact: The varying dates show that the book was likely assembled during or just after Baskett’s most error-prone years. After a royal order demanded Baskett improve the quality of his Bibles in 1724, later editions were known to be more accurate. The specific dates on your volume place it right in the middle of this period of reform.
- Example of 18th-century book production: The volume’s mismatched dates are a key feature of its history. They reflect the common 18th-century practice of combining separate printings to assemble a complete Bible. A bookseller could use printed sheets from different years to put together the final product.
- Demonstrates monopoly and its consequences: Baskett had a legal monopoly as the King’s Printer for England, which his family controlled from 1709 until 1799. His beautiful but inaccurate Bibles are a perfect case study of how a lack of competition can affect product quality.
- Potential for unique combinations: Because Baskett’s Bibles were assembled over several years, each volume can have a unique combination of dates, contents (like the inclusion of the Apocrypha), and illustrations.
Family Histories:
Issac Comans, Ripley County, Indiana
John Hollande
John Bailey Dalton born April 8, 1793
James Dalton born November 8, 1797
Elizabeth Clark born July 30, 1800
James Clark Dalton born July 3, 1824
Elizabeth Dalton born April 11, 1826
William Dalton born November 4, 1827
John Dalton born November 27, 1828
Caroline Dalton born January 2, 1830
Mary Ann Dalton born September 19, 1832
Eliza Dalton born October 21, 1834
Edward Dalton born November 29, 1839
Jemima Dalton born November 10, 1841
Edward Clark, Mary Marshall
