This affecting tribute precedes the other dedication to the same prince, issued with the Iliad when it first appeared. Such constancy to the memory of a prince, now some years dead, and from whom no favors could be expected, argues well for Chapman's affections; but, on the other hand, one might see in it a reason for believing that the work was issued before 1616.
Folio.
Collation: Title-page and dedication, 2 ll.; *2,*3, 2 ll.; A4-A6, A, 5 ll.; B-Z, in sixes; Aa-Ff, in sixes; Gg, 7 ll.; A3-O, in sixes; R, 7 ll.; S-Z, in sixes; Aa-Hh, in sixes; Ii, 7 ll.
THE HOLY BIBLE
16. The | Holy | Bible, [Two lines] ¶ Newly tranſlated out of | the Originall Tongues: and with | the former Tranſlations diligently | compared and reuiſed by his | Maieſties ſpeciall Com- | mandement. | ¶ Appointed to be read in Churches. | ¶ Imprinted | at London by Robert | Barker, Printer to the | Kings moſt excellent | Maieſtie. | Anno Dom. 1611.
Few books present greater difficulties to the bibliographer than this, the first "Authorized" or King James Version of the Bible. Many copies bearing the same date, and seemingly alike, have distinct differences in the text, in the ornamental head- and tail-pieces, and in the initial letters. But the most striking difference lies in two forms of the title-page. One of these, a copper-plate engraving, signed C. Boel fecit in Richmont, represents an architectural framework having large figures of Moses and Aaron in niches on either side of the border and seated figures of St. Luke and St. John, with their emblems, at the bottom: above are seated figures of St. Matthew and St. Mark, and St. Peter and St. Paul holding the Agnus Dei, while behind them are various saints and martyrs. The title reads:
The | Holy Bible, | Conteyning the Old Teſtament, | And The New. | Newly Tranſlated out of the Originall | tongues: & with the former Tranſlations diligently compared and reuiſed by his | Maiesties ſpeciall Cõmandement. | Appointed to be read in Churches | Imprinted at London by Robert | Barker, Printer to the Kings moſt Excellent Maiestie. Anno Dom. 1611.
The style of Boel's work is quite like that of the Sadelers, to whose school he belonged, and it resembles in its general effect some of the title-pages made by those artists for Plantin's famous Antwerp press.