The Oxford Miniature Coronation Bible; Containing the Old and New Testaments Translated out of the Original Tongues
Oxford and London: Oxford University Press, 1953. 32mo. (5 1/2 inches tall), original textured red paper boards, gilt and blind-stamped, central white diamond with gilt crest, red ribbon marker, all edges gilt. Faint tanning to endpapers, else Fine. Item #1801
"DEFENDER OF THE FAITH"
The Oxford Miniature Coronation Bible—a finely bound edition of the King James Bible given to Queen Elizabeth II at her Coronation in June 1953. A bright, beautiful copy of a lovely memento of a notable Royal Coronation.
Originally designed by Bruce Rogers and published in two folio volumes, the Oxford Lectern Bible (1935) is regarded as one of the great editions of the Holy Bible printed in the twentieth century. This miniature edition (described on the title page as a "Ruby 32mo.") prints the royal dedicatory epistle of the first edition of the King James Bible (1611): "To the Most High and Mighty Prince James...Defender of the Faith" in acknowledgement of the sovereign's traditional position as the head of the English Church. Bound with a half-title note: "The binding design is a reduced facsimile of that on the outside cover of the Oxford Lectern Bible bound in scarlet Levant Morocco presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at her Coronation on 2 June 1953." Printed Cum Privilegio by Oxford University Press and bound in textured red paper boards decorated with a central white diamond—with gilt crest, royal "ER" initials and date—against a background of gilt crowns and royal initials. Without the scarce original cardboard slipcase.
Price: $150.00