(New York: Johnson Fry & Company, [circa 1850's-1870's).

A VERY FINE VICTORIAN FAMILY BIBLE and an excellent example of the beautiful printing of the day. The large colour plates are especially attractive and quite plentifully depict dramatic biblical scenes and persons.
John Brown of Haddington (1722  19 June 1787), was a Scottish divine and author of uncommon popularity. A small tribute to his popularity is that he is the  Brown mentioned in Robert Burns "Epistle to James Tennant". His name is dropped in so casual a manner that it is clear Burns assumed everyone would know who he was talking about.
The Self Interpreting Bible was Brown's most significant work, and it remained in print well into the twentieth century. The objective of providing a commentary for ordinary people was very successful. The idea that the Bible was "self-interpreting" involved copious marginal references, especially comparing one scriptural statement with another. Brown also provided a substantial introduction to the Bible, and added an explication and "reflections" for each chapter. Item #31629

A new edition in which the text is more fully elucidated by upwards of 8000 explanatory and critical notes, and concluding observations on each book. Beautifully illustrated with many, many large finely executed steel engravings from paintings by eminent artists, most of which are surrounded by fine allegorical decorative frameworks incorporating several smaller engraved images or views. Large, heavy folio, in a very handsome original binding executed in the finest Victorian style of full black morocco, both of the thick boards deeply paneled with ornate gilt panels around a central field beautifully trimmed in gilt and gilt lettered, the spine with finely gilt tooled compartments between tall gilt hatched raised bands, one of which contains bold gilt lettering, elaborate wide gilt turn-ins and gilt hatched board edges, lovely textured and polished cloth endpapers and a.e.g. xvi, 744, [3], 747-1030, 122 pp. A very beautiful Bible,probably the finest of the bindings created by the publisher at the time, the text is fresh and clean throughout, sturdy and sound. The handsome binding sometime expertly and sympathetically restored at the spine, preserving the original decorated spine panel, the hinges also reinforced from within, in all a very impressive example of a Family Bible of the period wonderfully preserved.