Toronto Reference Library Blog

 May 2nd, 2011 marked the 400th anniversary of the publication of the Authorized King James Bible.  Students and researchers of early Bible history are mindful of struggles with earlier Bible translations.  A rare nineteenth century edition of The English Hexapla, allows readers to examine various translations side by side.  This volume displays the original Greek text,  with parallel translations:  Wiclif (1394), Tyndale (1534), Crammer (1539), Genevon (1557), Anglo-Rhemish (1592), Authorized King James version (1611). 

A portfolio of 58 engravings originally published in 1786 to accompany the text of Harrison's Holy Bible demonstrates how Bible stories were imagined in the eighteenth century.

Golden Cockerel Press published a limited edition of  The Four Gospels of the Lord Jesus Christ in 1931.  The renowned graphic artist, Eric Gill, designed woodcut illustrations, decorations and initials like the one featured below.

In its Fine Printing and Private Press Collection, the library has a small press limited edition reprint of the 1611 King James Bible, published by Nonesuch Press.  The library also has a reprint of The Holy Gospel according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, published in 1962 by Officina Bodoni. The woodblock prints in this edition were recut by Bruno Bramanti after the original illustrations by Bartolomeo di Giovanni, 1495.

Toronto Public Library's oldest Bible, The holy Byble conteynyng the Olde and Newe Testament, published in London in 1575, is in the Osborne Collection, at the Lillian H. Smith branch.

Special Collections is located on the 4th floor of the Toronto Reference Library. 

 May 2nd, 2011 marked the 400th anniversary of the publication of the Authorized King James Bible.  Students and researchers of early Bible history are mindful of struggles with earlier Bible translations.  A rare nineteenth century edition of The English Hexapla, allows readers to examine various translations side by side.  This volume displays the original Greek text,  with parallel translations:  Wiclif (1394), Tyndale (1534), Crammer (1539), Genevon (1557), Anglo-Rhemish (1592), Authorized King James version (1611). 

A portfolio of 58 engravings originally published in 1786 to accompany the text of Harrison's Holy Bible demonstrates how Bible stories were imagined in the eighteenth century.

Golden Cockerel Press published a limited edition of  The Four Gospels of the Lord Jesus Christ in 1931.  The renowned graphic artist, Eric Gill, designed woodcut illustrations, decorations and initials like the one featured below.

In its Fine Printing and Private Press Collection, the library has a small press limited edition reprint of the 1611 King James Bible, published by Nonesuch Press.  The library also has a reprint of The Holy Gospel according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, published in 1962 by Officina Bodoni. The woodblock prints in this edition were recut by Bruno Bramanti after the original illustrations by Bartolomeo di Giovanni, 1495.

Toronto Public Library's oldest Bible, The holy Byble conteynyng the Olde and Newe Testament, published in London in 1575, is in the Osborne Collection, at the Lillian H. Smith branch.

Special Collections is located on the 4th floor of the Toronto Reference Library.