HOLY BIBLE: The Catholic Family Bible. Volume I (of two). Translated from the Latin Vulgate : diligently compared with the Hebrew, Greek and other editions in divers Languages. The Old Testament, first published by the English College at Douay, A.D. 1609. And The New Testament, first published by the English College at Rheims, A.D. 1582.

With useful notes, critical, historical, controversial and explanatory. Selected from the most eminent commentators and the most able and judicious critics. By the Rev. Geo. Leo Haydock. Two volumes. Dublin, London, and Edinburgh: A. Fullerton, 1847. Quarto. Bound by Gerald Bellew of Dublin in full contemporary hard-grained dark red morocco with his signature lettered in gilt on the inside of the front cover (G. Bellew/ Bookbinder/ Dublin) and his engraved label on verso of front endpaper of volume I.

Covers tooled in gilt and blind to a panel design with the crowned arms of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and the shield of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre in the centres of both covers against a gilt sunburst background. Spine in six panels divided by five raised bands, the second panel lettered in gilt ‘THE HOLY BIBLE’, the fourth panel lettered ‘VOL. I / GEN-PSA.’ the remainder elaborately tooled in gilt; board-edges ruled in gilt; turn-ins tooled with a gilt floral roll; cream, blue and gold floral patterened endpapers; blue and gold endbands; inner fabric joints. Spine of volume II professionally rebacked, preserving original backstrip. All edges gilt. Some foxing and staining. A superb example of an Irish armorial bookbinding and extremely uncommon.

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