Beschreibung:

Title: The Holy Bible, containing the Old and New Covenant, commonly called the Old and New Testament Author: Thomson, Charles, translator Place: Philadelphia Publisher: Printed by Jane Aitken Date: 1808 Description: 4 volumes. Unpaginated, [512]; [490]; [444]; [472] pp., the final page of each being blank. Each volume with general title-page and specific volume title-page. "Advertisement to the reader" and "Errata" on p. [443] of Vol. III. (8vo) 21.3x12.7 cm. (8½x5"), later (c.mid-19th century) half calf & cloth, spines ruled & lettered in gilt. First edition of Thomson's translation. Rare American Bible, the first publication of a direct translation into English of the Greek Septuagint, and the first Bible ever to be printed by a woman. The first three volumes are the Old Testament, and the final volume is the New Testament. Charles Thomson (1729-1824) was the secretary of the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1789, when he retired and devoted himself to Biblical study. Jane Aitken (1764-1832), born in Scotland, was the daughter of Robert Aitken, a printer, bookbinder, and bookseller who emigrated from Paisley, Scotland to Philadelphia in 1769. Robert Aitken had the distinction of publishing the first complete English-language Bible printed in America, and the only one ever authorized and approved by Congress, the so-called "Bible of the Revolution," published in 1782. Early ink or pencil signatures of Jno. K. Wilson to title-pages. D. & M. 1006; Herbert 1514; Hills 153; Shaw & Shoemaker 14486. Lot Amendments Condition: Some scuffing to extremities and spines; darkening and some foxing to contents, a few leaves with straight-pins stuck in them, possibly to mark passages, 2 pages in Vol. I with offset from item laid in; very good condition. Item number: 226812