Customer Reviews

Geneva Bible of 1591 Cambridge Edition Brown calfskin gilt edges presentation box: Geneva Edition Facsimile

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A true treasure to own! The printing of this facsimile reproduction was limited to 500 individually numbered copies - I am the proud owner of number 183!

To address those who think this edition overpriced or of less than perfect quality, I would like to offer the following observations:

First, I do not think anyone can fault the cover, binding or paper quality - beautiful, a pleasure to hold and touch. Printed "on 60-gram wood-free Cream Wove paper from Caldwell Mill and bound by Cambridge University Press Leather Bindery in top grain calfskin", as stated in the booklet that accompanies each copy.

Second, I read a review that refered to poor quality of printing, 'spots and streaks' having been mentioned. It is sufficient to state in this regard that this is a facsimile reproduction based on photographs of each page of an original. The 'spots and streaks' attest to the accuracy of the reproduction - printing in 1591 was indeed not as clean as it is today! In fact, I am always amazed at the incredible job done by the photographers and printers - I have yet to find any passage with even a single word that I cannot read with reasonable care. It is also worth noting that there are only three copies of this Bible still in existance, two of which are incomplete. All things considered it was a masterful work of reproduction!

Finally, as to cost, ... "in the eye of the beholder". The quality of craftsmanship of printing, binding and materials cannot be faulted, as I have indicated above. The fact that it is of limited edition is, of course, intended to increase it's value. But is it worth $400.00? Obviously, I think so. And it may be worth mentioning that I saw a copy, held it and looked it over carefully, at a time when I could not afford to purchase one. I set my heart on it and managed to put the money together and bought one within a few months. The point being, I knew exactly what I was getting before I ordered, I considered it worth the cost.

A few additional comments in closing. Each copy is accompanied by a small booklet which tells the history of the Cambridge 1591 Geneva Bible. It makes interesting reading. Each Bible is nicely packaged in a durable cloth lined box which will keep it in pristine condition for years to come (the graphic on this site is the box, not the book).

Finally, I would like to say 'Thank You' to Richard and Mary Pell of Colchester, Essex in 1658, and their two daughters Mary and Francis. Thank you for taking such care of your family copy of this Bible, in which you made several inscriptions and notes, such that it is the sole complete example surviving today and from which this reproduction was largely made. Thanks to you, I now own one too!

very difficult to afford, but what a piece of history! Of course the pages are copied from the original and are not going to look like modern print; but this is a beautiful collector's Bible to own and cherish. I open it carefully, and read, very slowly, absorbing the old language and print. I love it! Something to leave to someone special....

Facsimile taken from only three original copies in existence. Hardcover. Brown full calf-leather binding. Gilt title, raised bands and blind decorative stamped boards. All edges gilt. With ribbon marker. With fourteen-page booklet - Introduction by David McKitterick. Hand-numbered - one of 500 hundred printed. In presentation box. A very attractive book. A vital collectors piece for those interested in early Bibles

I love to show others, but also....truth be told, I read mine.

This bible is not perfect; it has flaws. There are some spots and a few streaks that obscure words, but nothing too major. In fact, it's an amazing artifact, if you understand that you are buying a 1591 bible - not a new bible. You need to spend time with this book and the passages; you won't be able to speed read. The print is small and some letters are not well defined, but that, too, is part of the book's charm. I find that I read closer the text in this bible than I do any other because of the "imperfections." Get this bible.

This bible is not perfect; it has flaws. There are some spots and a few streaks that obscure words, but nothing too major. In fact, it's an amazing artifact, if you understand that you are buying a 1591 bible - not a new bible. You need to spend time with this book and the passages; you won't be able to speed read. The print is small and some letters are not well defined, but that, too, is part of the book's charm. I find that I read closer the text in this bible than I do any other because of the "imperfections." Get this bible.

The cover and quality of all is good-except!- the photo-copying is poor I think.Many ink "dots" and "streaks".It is certainly overpriced, limited edition or no.I returned it immediately.

Page xi of the introduction by David McKitterick indicates that in larger editions than the Cambridge one there are numerous shoulder-notes, maps etc. "The Bible in Translation Ancient and English Versions" by Bruce M Metzger 2001 didn't mention editions without the notes. NB I'm keeping the book.