The Holy Bible (authorized King James Version)

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The Holy Bible (authorized King James Version)

Printer Robert Barker (British, died 1645)

Place of OriginEngland (London)

Date1611

DimensionsFolio: 16 1/4 x 11 1/8 x 4 5/8 in.

ClassificationBooks

Credit LineFrederick B. and Kate L. Shoemaker Fund

Object number

1939.482

Not on View

Label TextThe first printing of the King James Bible, begun in 1604 by order of James I of England and completed in 1611. The Museum has in its collection two copies of the first edition. Still the most familiar and widely read Bible translation in the world, it is considered both a religious and literary classic whose influence is felt even today. Its language has been used in Handel’s Messiah, Negro spirituals, the Gettysburg Address, and is a source of phrases in our everyday speech. Based on earlier English translations, the King James Bible was assembled by 47 translators working in six committees over nearly seven years. The printing was overseen by Robert Barker, “Printer to the King.” This first edition copy has no preliminaries or title page; it begins with the first book of the Old Testament, Genesis. The page on display is the title page for the New Testament, with the same woodcut border as the main title page of the complete first edition copy displayed nearby. The woodcut border was probably designed by Rowland Lockey and cut by Christopher Switzer (their initials can be seen to the left and right of the altar with the lamb). At the top of the image are symbols representing the Holy Trinity: the Hebrew letters of the name of God (‘Jehovah’ or ‘Yahweh’); a lamb bearing a cross, representing Jesus as the Lamb of God (the sacrificial lamb on the altar also symbolizes Christ); and a dove, representing the Holy Ghost. Above the dove is a diamond wedding ring signifying the symbolic marriage of Christ and the Church. The Four Evangelists are shown writing—Matthew with his attribute of an angel, Mark with a lion, Luke with an ox, and John with an eagle. On the left are the tents and armorial shields of the 12 tribes of Israel. On the right are Jesus’ 12 apostles.Exhibition HistoryToledo Museum of Art, "Focus Exhibition: In the Beginning: King James Bible First Edition," September 15-Decemeber 13, 2011.