The Holy Bible, King James Version by the Church of England (Rare Oxford University Press Edition), 1872 📜🇬🇧🏛️

1. Introduction 📜🔍🏛️

This is a very rare 1872 edition of the Holy Bible, King James Version, published by the esteemed Oxford University Press.

This volume is a premier investment-grade artifact, a tangible link to a pivotal era in both religious and social history. Its status as an Oxford-published Bible with unique church history elevates it as a verifiable artifact for a serious collector.

2. About the Book 📖✍️✨

The King James Version of the Holy Bible is a masterpiece of English prose and a cornerstone of Protestant Christianity.

First published in 1611, it is a translation that has had a profound impact on the English language and literary tradition. This 1872 edition, published by Oxford University Press, contains the traditional text and a concordance.

The book’s physical presence, with its beautiful leather binding and intricate blind-stamped decoration, is an exemplary example of the publishing standards of the 19th century.

3. About the Maker ✍️🏛️

The King James Version of the Bible was commissioned by King James I of England in 1604 and was translated by a committee of 47 scholars.

Oxford University Press, which has been printing the King James Bible for centuries, is a central figure in this history.

The press holds a royal charter to print the Authorized Version of the Bible. Its commitment to producing high-quality and accurate editions has made its Bibles highly sought after by collectors and institutions.

4. Historical/Political Era Context 🌍🕰️📜

The book’s publication in 1872 places it in the Victorian era, a time of immense social, technological, and intellectual change. The period was marked by a renewed interest in religion and a growing global influence of the British military.

This book is a time capsule that reflects the era's focus on personal faith and Christian education. The attached card of "hints for Young Christians" and the handwritten note about joining a church provide a direct view into the religious customs and personal devotions of the period.

5. The Ideal Collector 💡🧐🏛️

It is an ideal acquisition for an individual who values a book's historical weight and its capacity to tell a story of a pivotal cultural moment.

This volume will resonate with those who collect rare Bibles, artifacts of American religious history, or significant works from the Victorian period.

The item is suitable for a collector who values the direct link between a historical book and a specific institution, such as a church.

6. Value & Rarity 💎✨🏛️

This 1872 Oxford Bible is a genuinely rare find due to its specific publisher and its unique inscription.

The item is approximately 153 years old.

The handwritten dedication and signature provide a direct, verifiable link to an individual and an institution, which is a rare and significant detail that enhances its historical value. Its unique history makes it a strong acquisition.

7. Condition 🔎📚✨

This book is a genuine and handsome survivor, showing authentic wear consistent with an antique volume from the 19th century. 

The hardcover binding is in fair condition, with significant rubbing and scuffing, particularly along the edges and spine. The spine is broken, but all pages remain attached to the block.

The pages show some expected toning and scattered foxing, which is a natural process for paper from this period. The interior pages are clean and the text block is firm and sound.

The photos show a unique, handwritten card inserted in the front of the book with an inscription and the signature of "Lucy Horton."

8. Fun Facts & Unique Features 🤓📜🤩

• The King James Version is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful translations of the Bible ever produced.

• The handwritten card inside the book and the signature connect the artifact to a specific individual and a specific church, which can be identified through historical records as the Light Street Church in Baltimore, Maryland.

• The church itself has a documented history, having been organized as the South Presbyterian Church in 1855.

• The inscription and signature provide a personal and humanizing anecdote that brings the item's history to life for the collector.

9. Supporting Information 🏷️📦💰

• Title: The Holy Bible, King James Version

• Author/Maker: Church of England

• Year: 1872

• Publisher/Foundry: Oxford University Press

• Place of Origin: London, UK

• Format/Binding: Hardcover, Leather Binding

• Edition: N/A, Inscribed with Church History

• Rarity: Very Rare

• Transcription of Inscription: joined Laugh St Church Feb 4th 1877. Lucy Horton.