BIBLIA, THET ÄR ALL THEN HELIGA SKRIFT PÅ SWENSKO. [with] THET NYA TESTAMENTETS

Stockholm: Tryckt af Henrick Christoph Merckell, 1724-28; Peter Jöranson Nyström, 1752. 422 x 275 mm. (16 5/8 x 11"). 30 p.l., [1] leaf (section title), 234, [2] (section title), 235-604, [2] (section title), 605-908, [2] (section title), 909-1387, [1] pp.; 4 p.l., 300, [4], 301-666 pp.
STATELY CONTEMPORARY CALF, INTRICATELY GILT IN THE FANFARE STYLE, over bevelled wooden boards, covers with strapwork frame containing lilies and floral garlands, central panel with strapwork rows of floral crosses, the spaces between with floral sprays emerging from urns, very expertly rebacked preserving original backstrip, raised bands, spine compartments with flowers-and-pomegranate centerpieces, floral cornerpieces, gilt lettering, two decorative brass clasps, catch plates, and original straps, turn-ins with lattices and floral ornaments, marbled endpapers, edges gilt and delicately gauffered. Five section titles with engraved vignettes. With ink presentation inscription celebrating the baptism of Claës Georg Listromer on 20th November 1604, and expressing the hope the Book will bring him wisdom as he grows, signed by Claës Lindman, dated 17th September 1605. A 20th century Swedish inscription below tracing the book's descent through generations of the Listromer family into the 1920s. Darlow and Moule 8821, 8826. Slight variations in color of the leather, Ffff8 with lower corner torn away (not affecting engraving), occasional faint offsetting, but AN EXTREMELY CLEAN, FRESH COPY in a binding bright with gilt.

This impressively bound Swedish Bible was a baptism gift that clearly would have outweighed its recipient, as Swedish law at the time required an infant be baptized within the first eight days of life. Although hardly practical for personal devotion and study, the majestic tome was a treasured heirloom passed down in the same family for 200 years. The beautiful fanfare style seen here emerged in France in the 16th century, but remained very popular in Northern Europe into the 18th century, particularly for large "lectern" Bibles like the present item. The text here is an extensively annotated edition of the 1618 Gustave II Adolf Bible, prepared by a father and son, both named Johannes Gezelius, who served successively as Bishop of Åbo. The New Testament was first printed in that city in 1711-13, the Old Testament in Stockholm in 1724-28. In our copy, the New Testament is a 1752 reprinting..