Some scans from a 1581 copy of the Geneva Bible.
The first version of this translation was made in Geneva, in Switzerland, because the Roman Catholic Church had been so afraid of what would happen if ordinary people had access to the Bible without going through the priests that they had arranged for translating the Bible into modern local languages was punishable by death. The Roman Catholic Church still uses services in Latin in some parts of the world. Such is the power of knowledge and the fear of those in charge of losing that power.
My copy is dated 1581, and is rather late. By that time the Reformation had taken hold in England and the text could be printed in English.
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Front Cover, Geneva Bible
This 1581 Geneva Bible is bound in full leather with gold tooling. |
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Bookplate for 1581 Geneva Bible
The dot screening tells me this isn’t actually a very old book-plate (ex libris). My guess would be early 1900s. It is a crest with the name Huss, surmounted with the closed helmet of a lesser knight. [more...] |
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New Testament Title Page
Although I already had a photograph of the title page, it’s interesting enough that I wanted to add a 2400dpi scan. Notice the dragon! [more...] |
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Title page, The Whole Booke of Psalmes
The title page from the book of psalms (with music) at the back of this 1581 Geneva Bible. I didn’t clean up this scan, so you can see the music showing through from the back a little. [more...] |
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Initial Letter T With Naked People
This decorative initial was printed on the back of the title page of the “Whole Booke of Psalmes” to start the introduction. I am guessing the to figures are Adam and [...] [more...] |
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p.425: Ephesians Chapters 1 and 2
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Luke Chapter Two verses 10 – 23
Part of a page from a 1581 copy of the Geneva Bible. This extract is from the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 2, and tells of the birth of Jesus, called Christ, and of angels [...]Glory be to God in the high [heavens], and peace in earth, and towards men good will; a more modern translation would be peace towards men of good will, but the error here persisted through the King James Bible of 1611 and is still widely quoted. The text starts: [more...] |
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New Testament
The New Testament of our Lord Jesus Christ, Conferred diligently with the Greek, and best approved translations in diverse languages. Imprinted at London by Christopher Barker, Printer to the Queen’s Majesty. 1581. Cum gratia & privilegio. [more...] |
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