Highlights of the Exhibition
The Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Bible Collection
at
Bridwell
Library
1996-2006
September 7-November 18, 2006
The First Edition of the King James Version
The Holy Bible Conteyning the Old Testament and the New. Newly Translated out of the Originall Tongues: & with the Former Translations Diligently Compared and Revised by His Majesties Special Comandement. London: Robert Barker, 1611.
The King James Version originated with the Hampton Court conference in January 1604. Charged with creating an authoritative English version of the Bible, a committee of fifty-four crown appointed translators undertook the task. Elaborate guidelines regulated the process with the goal of combining a respect for tradition with scholarly translation. In 1609, a smaller committee of twelve – two men from each company – met in London to produce the final revision, the “fair copy” destined for the printer. Although the 1611 Bible was riddled with inconsistencies and misprintings, it represented – and still represents – one of the great masterpieces of English Renaissance scholarship and literature, and one of the monuments of seventeenth century printing. The 1611 King James Version combined a new translation with a format reminiscent of printing from previous centuries, and elements borrowed directly from the medieval manuscript tradition such as a calendar of Saints’ days. The magnificent folio is open to the title page of the New Testament.
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