The Holy Bible, Authorized King James Version Value Guide
- Period
- 1900-1920
- Origin
- United States
- Materials
- Paper, ink, leather
- Category
- Bible
This early 1900s Authorized King James Version represents a period of American publishing focused on family accessibility, featuring specialized self-pronouncing text. Its inclusion of the 'Christ the Good Shepherd' illustration makes it a quintessential example of religious material culture from the 1900-1920 era.
What affects the value of The Holy Bible, Authorized King James Version?
- The physical condition of the leather binding, specifically looking for minimal cracking or 'red rot' common in early 1900s volumes.
- The preservation of the 'Christ the Good Shepherd' illustration, as missing or torn plates significantly reduce collector interest.
- The presence of family records; while some collectors prefer blank pages, others value the genealogical history often found in these Bibles.
- Overall cleanliness of the paper and the clarity of the self-pronouncing typography.
How to Identify The Holy Bible, Authorized King James Version?
- Check for the specific 'Christ the Good Shepherd' illustrative plate, a hallmark of this early 20th-century edition.
- Verify the presence of self-pronouncing text, which uses diacritical marks to assist the reader with difficult biblical names.
- Examine the binding for authentic leather materials and period-appropriate ink typography consistent with 1900-1920 US production.
- Look for the 'Authorized King James Version' designation on the title page alongside the scholar-translated text.
History of The Holy Bible, Authorized King James Version
The King James Version of the Bible, first published in 1611, is one of the most influential books in the English language. Commissioned by King James I of England, it brought together a team of scholars to create an authoritative translation. This particular edition likely dates from the early 20th century, a period when many publishers produced Bibles for wider distribution, often incorporating new features like self-pronouncing text and illustrative plates to appeal to families.
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