An introduction to Bibles

The oldest printed book, the best printed book, the most printed book is the Bible. The greatest price ever paid for a book was paid for a Bible.
The book translated into most languages is the Bible. The book which has been sold and given away more than any other is the Bible. The Bible has dominated the literature of the world to such an extent and depth that even general book-collectors often find it necessary to have a few of the outstanding editions and versions to round out or to provide the foundation of their collections. 

One of the fascinations of rare Bible collecting is the fact that it may start with historic items produced in the ages before there was printing with movable type in Europe. Early Codices o fetch Bible text has been discovered of which impressive facsimiles have been made, fragments of Hebrew Old Testament books made fin the first and second centuries before our era, fragments of Greek New Testament books written in the third century. 

The earliest and most complete of these last are the Codex Sinaiticus and the Codex Alexandrinus, both held today in the British Museum, and the Codex Vaticanus which is held in the Vatican in Rome. Codices of later and lesser importance but very desirable in facsimile are the Codex Beza of the 7th. Century, now at Cambridge University. The  8th. Century Codex Amiatinus, the Codex Claromontanus, now in Paris. These are among the most trustworthy and valuable basic manuscripts for the received text of the New Testament.

For most serious collectors the historic English Bibles form the heart of the collector. The rarest English Bibles are;- 

1. The Bibles of the Lollards;- 1380 -1384;- 1st. complete Bible in English, written by hand on vellum. Impossible to find. Priceless. $30 million plus
2. William Tyndale Fragment;-  1525;- one known copy on vellum in private hands. Printed somewhere in Germany. Priceless. $40 million plus
3. William Tyndale’s New Testament;- 1526;- printed on vellum and paper, on vellum hand coloured, one hand coloured copy on vellum in private hands. Priceless. $20 million plus
4. William Tyndale’s New Testament;- 1534;- printed on paper, only one complete copy in private hands. Priceless
5. Coverdale’s Bible 1535. printed on paper, 1st. Bible printed in England. A complete copy almost impossible, but if found $1 million plus.
6. Matthew Bible 1537. printed on paper, printed in England. complete copy $250,000 plus.
7. The Great Bible of Cromwell and Cranmer 1539. printed on paper in England, complete $150,000 plus
8. Geneva Bible 1560 printed on paper in Geneva complete copies $15,000 plus
9. The Bishop’s Bible 1568, printed on paper, printed in England. complete copy $20,000 plus.
10. King James’ Authorised Version 1611; He version;- printed on paper, printed in England. complete copy $250,000 plus.
11. King James’ Authorised Version 1611; She version;- printed on paper, printed in England. complete copy $50,000 plus.

Bibles Printed in America

1. The bay Psalm Book, 1640, Cambridge, Massachusetts . printed on paper, complete copy;-  $17million plus
2. Eliot’s Indian New Testament;-  1661, Cambridge, Massachusetts . printed on paper, complete copy;-  $1million plus
3. Eliot’s Indian New Testament;-  1663, Cambridge, Massachusetts . in the Indian Tongue, printed on paper, complete copy;-  $4.5million plus
4. Eliot’s First Indian Bible. 1663, Cambridge, Massachusetts . in the Indian Tongue, printed on paper, complete copy;-  $3.5million plus
5. Eliot’s First Indian Bible. 1663, Cambridge, Massachusetts . in the Indian Tongue, printed on paper, complete copy;-  $3.5million plus
6. Eliot’s Second Indian Bible. 1665, Cambridge, Massachusetts . in the Indian Tongue, printed on paper, complete copy;-  $2.5million plus