Why Should You Own the 1611 KJV Bible?

The 1611 KJV Bible continued its popular run for over 400 years. Even today, those looking for rare and antique Bibles would almost die to have them in their collection. It’s a collectible that’s worth displaying in your personal library or even gift to your loved ones.

Also called the King James Bible or King James Version, this 1611 Bible is perhaps the world’s most printed book and has become a dominant Bible ever since it was published. If you plan to buy it, it will be prudent to know its features, what makes it so special, and find a reliable dealer of rare and antique Bibles.

If you can’t wait to own a part of history by getting the 1611 KJV Bible, here are a few things you should know about it.

How Did the 1611 KJV Bible Come Into Existence?

In 1604, after James was crowned the king of England, a churchmen’s conference put forward their request for the English Bible’s revision. They asked for it as they believed the existing translations were corrupt and failed to answer to the truth of the original.

King James was quick to understand what this request meant and why there was an immediate need to authorize the translation. He was quick to act and gave 54 revisers his approval by June 30, 1604. But existing records prove that just 47 scholars actually participated.

These scholars were classified into six groups and specific sections of the Bible were assigned to them. These six groups were further divided into three groups of two, each of which functioned separately at Cambridge, Oxford, and Westminster on their assigned parts.

The entire work was managed by Richard Bancroft, Canterbury’s archbishop, who set up the doctrinal principles to be followed by the translators. Finally, in 1611, the new Bible saw the light of day.

Features of the 1611 KJV Bible

The text was written in Early Modern English and showed the language’s closer link to its Latin roots. As can be expected, its spellings were in Jacobean style. Though the 1611 KJV Bible wasn’t entirely standardized, it was possible for the readers to read it phonetically.

This Bible had a Gothic typeface. Today, many people may find its typeface and older language pretty difficult to read. Yet, you can’t deny the popularity, recognition, and respect it still gets due to its beauty, rhythm, and poetic feel.

Final Words

The creation of the 1611 KJV Bible was a huge project undertaken under royal sponsorship. This Bible was prominently influenced by the original Hebrew version and had an elaborate set of rules to control individual inclinations, thus ensuring the translation’s neutral and intellectual character.

Are you ready to get hold of the 1611 KJV Bible from a reputed dealer of rare Bibles?

Original Source: http://1611-king-james-bible.com/1611-kjv-bible.html

Tips for Buying Facsimiles of Rare Bible Books

Buying a rare and antique Bible book needs you to have deep pockets. You should also have adequate knowledge to distinguish between a fake copy and the original, or else, you could be taken for a ride by unscrupulous elements. However, not everyone may have the money to buy the original copy of a rare Bible book. In such cases, looking for high-quality facsimiles that reproduce the original content without any changes or deletions is worth considering.

In today’s technology-driven age, many people have moved from physical books to electronic devices for most of their reading. But the scenario is different for rare book collectors and even those who buy facsimiles of the original rare Bible books. For these people, the excitement of holding a piece of literary history remains unparalleled. As a result, there’s a high demand for rare and antique bibles and their replicas.

According to some credible sources, the Bible is the world’s best-selling book of all time, having sold almost 5 billion copies to date. Naturally, rare Bible books and their facsimiles find many takers. From the Gutenberg Bible and 1378 Wycliffe New Testament to 1535 Coverdale Bible, 1536 Tyndale New Testament, 1560 Geneva Bible, and more, there’s a lot to choose from when buying facsimiles of rare Bible books. But you need to shop carefully.

Given below are some steps to help you make the most of your investment when buying antique Bibles and their replicas. .

Do Your Homework Regarding What Edition is the Most Valuable

There’s a difference between a Bible being rare and one being a collectible. You can consider “rare” a measure of how easy or difficult it is to get hold of the Bible. But what makes a Bible collectible is a different matter. From who worked on it to its illustrator, binding, where it was printed, or its special features (like notes in the margin, woodcut illustrations, etc.) - everything can make it a collectible. Even the previous owner, especially if the person was a celebrity or someone famous, could make the Bible a collector’s item.

Many people also believe that first editions of a Bible are more valuable. But that isn’t always true. Sometimes, later editions with inadvertent mistakes or additional information or illustrations can be sold at five to ten times (or even more) the price of the first edition. And depending on how valuable the original Bible book is, the demand will rise or fall for its facsimile.

Keep an Eye on the Amount You Pay

The cost of a facsimile usually varies with the original Bible’s value. From the condition of its pages and binding to the special features it has (say, woodcut illustrations), every factor will influence its value. Apart from a Bible book’s physical condition, its content also significantly contributes to its desirability.

Experts handling rare books say that the most valuable pieces are those that altered the course of history or human understanding. Thus, the price of the original Gutenberg Bible (1455) and its facsimile will be a lot more than the English Hexapla (1841) and its facsimile reproduction.

Know the Features to Look For

What features make a Bible book and its replica valuable is something you should know. For instance, when buying a facsimile reproduction of the 1611 King James Bible, you should look for Gothic-style typeface and Jacobean-style spelling.

If buying a facsimile reproduction of the Gutenberg Bible, taking a closer look at its Gothic typeface is a must. It should have a medieval look and be slightly less pointed and compressed than other examples that came to the forefront shortly thereafter.

If buying a facsimile reproduction of the Gutenberg Bible, taking a closer look at its Gothic typeface is a must. It should have a medieval look and be slightly less pointed and compressed than other examples that came to the forefront shortly thereafter.

Why Trust Reliable Dealers of Bible Books

Not every buyer may have the knowledge or an eye to spot the minute differences between the original and its replica. Some may not even know about the features thoroughly, making identifying them an uphill task. That’s why it pays to buy your Bible book replicas from a reliable and reputed dealer of such books to ensure you get your money’s worth.

Wrapping Up

Instead of blindly buying a replica of an original Bible that’s old and rare, you should know the things mentioned above to make an informed buy and avoid being duped. So, go ahead and get your facsimile reproduction of a Bible book that you have been eyeing for quite some time now.

Original Source: http://rare-bibles.com/tips-for-buying-facsimiles-of-rare-bible-books.html

Know All About The Bible Museum

This post isn't about the Washington, DC-based Museum of the Bible. Instead, it's about the interesting journey of The Bible Museum and how it grew up to become a popular name worldwide from its modest start. It all began without any plan, but by God's grace, it grew so big that people from far and wide now come to the online site as well as the physical store to browse and buy ancient and rare Bibles and Bible leaves.

Since 1987, The Bible Museum has been the largest dealer of antique and rare Bibles globally. Its sales figures for rare Bibles are significantly more than the collective total of all other dealers selling rare books worldwide. Since 1996, the online shop of The Bible Museum has been functioning at GREATSITE.COM. This popular website finds preference with thousands of other websites of ministries, churches, and individuals who enthusiastically link to it. Perhaps this popularity explains why the site attracts thousands of daily visitors. The Bible Museum also has a physical showroom in Phoenix, Arizona, that stays open round the clock. If you're wanting to learn more about The Bible Museum, read on the learn more.

Beginning of the Bible Museum

It all began in 1987 when Dr. Craig Lampe, who was then the World Bible Society's International Director, shared his idea of building a unique company with Dr. Jonathan Byrd - his old friend. This friend was one of the bigshots in Indy Car Racing and was chosen in 2002 for the Indianapolis Speedrome Hall of Fame. Dr. Lampe's idea was to capture the market of antique and rare Bibles by establishing an organization to repair and conserve the antique printings of God's Word for upcoming generations and put these magnificent assets up for sale. This idea was to grow this organization into the world's principal source for antique and rare Bibles.

At that time, Dr. Byrd had just sold all seven franchises of his Kentucky Fried Chicken and was getting ready to construct America's largest cafeteria. But perhaps it was divine intervention that made him decide to support his friend's idea financially. This paved the way for establishing the company named Jonathan Byrd's Rare Books Bibles. This company didn't have any brick-and-mortar store or public display area during its early days. It was positioned in a small storage room without any windows in the offices above Dr. Byrd's Cafeteria in Indiana's Greenwood. It was just people's word-of-mouth referrals that helped others find their way to the company. Surprisingly, by 1989, the company grew to become the largest dealer of antique and rare Bibles globally.

In 1994, a hobby collector of old Bibles named John Jeffcoat was feeling disheartened as he couldn't find Bibles printed before the 1800s. From a rare book dealer, he got the phone number of Dr. Craig Lampe. After two short calls, he took a 1,200+ miles round-trip to visit Dr. Lampe's little shop that had established its near-monopoly in the field of antique and rare Bibles. He returned home two days later, armed with his first purchase from the store.

Two years later, John Jeffcoat shared his idea of creating a website with Dr. Lampe that he said would display a sampling of the company's extensive and magnificent inventory of antique Bibles and Bible leaves. Jeffcoat planned to leverage printed advertisements and search engine listings for the website to make the public aware of his splendid material that they could easily access. And thus, GREATSITE.COM was born that houses The Bible Museum.

The Bible Museum's Story Continues

The site and The Bible Museum got such a great response that within a few weeks of the site going live, John quit his full-time job to ensure he could easily handle the deluge of incoming emails and calls from around the world.

The Bible Museum encouraged several people to turn into collectors as nothing could be as rewarding as owning the earliest and some of the rarest prints of God's Word. You could hardly find anything more precious than these antique Bibles. Even when it comes to family heirlooms or astute investments, it is hard to imagine a more intriguing investment than these rare Bibles offered by The Bible Museum.

As the website grew and started raking in annual sales to the tune of millions of dollars and 1,000+ daily visitors, the need for a more elegant storefront showroom was felt. Dr. Byrd was then constructing three new lavish hotels in suburban Phoenix, Arizona. Finally, in 1999, the company headquarters shifted from Indiana's Greenwood to Arizona's Goodyear.

Today, The Bible Museum is located in the Grand Lobby of one of the most stunning new hotels in Arizona, where the showroom stays open 24/7 for visitors. However, you can only make in-person purchases at The Bible Museum during standard business hours, by appointment.

Original Source: https://greatsitethebiblemuseum.blogspot.com/2022/05/know-all-about-bible-museum.html

Top 5 Reasons to Buy Ancient Bibles

Saint Jerome once said that lack of knowledge of sacred scripture is equivalent to ignorance of Christ. This may send you rushing for your Bible, but instead of having your usual copy, why not get your hands on an ancient Bible? A rare, ancient Bible is worth the investment, especially if you steer clear of the dubious elements and buy from a reputed and reliable dealer of rare and ancient Bibles.

Not sure why you should buy an ancient Bible? Here are the top five reasons:

Keep Yourself Grounded, Albeit In Style

All of us are God’s children. However, in today’s fast-paced, highly competitive, stress-filled world, it could be very easy for you to lose touch with this reality. You could forget who you truly are when battling life’s blues. Taking some time out to browse through the leaves of your ancient Bible will help to keep you grounded by reminding you of who you truly are. When you read the scripture often, you’ll realize Christ is with you, even on your stress-filled, sloppy days or during those times when everything seems to go wrong. Though you can read your standard Bible too to stay grounded, leafing through your ancient Bible will give the activity a dash of class and style.

A Great Item to Display

For devout Christians, an ancient Bible that’s 300 to 500 years old and comes beautifully bound in leather is an item to cherish and display with pride. Even if you aren’t a devout Christians, an antique Bible is a stunning addition to your home for sure. Not every house you walk into will have a rare and ancient Bible on display. This makes acquiring your copy of an ancient Bible all the more significant. If you’re looking for great display items for your abode and want to steer clear of the usual fare, you can consider getting an ancient Bible. Whether you’re spiritually inclined or not, getting an ancient Bible printed in the 1500s and 1600s will make a marvelous addition to your abode.

A Good Conversation Starter

Since people are typically quite willing to discuss religion, having an ancient Bible can be a great conversation starter. If you’re entertaining guests you’re meeting for the first time, such a rare copy of the Bible can also act as an ice-breaker. Instead of forcibly starting some religious discussion, which could seem extremely intimidating and awkward, answering questions about your ancient Bible can set the stage for free-flowing conversations with your guests. Those who marvel at the ancient Bible in your possession are likely to ask questions like where you got it from, what encouraged you to buy it, what are your opinions about the purchase now that you have it, and a lot more. This could be a fun way to talk about your prized possession and even steer the discussion to a different topic after you and your guests settle down comfortably.

Could Become a Family Heirloom

An ancient Bible is much more than a mere item to display in your abode. This prized possession of yours can become a family heirloom that’s passed down from you to your children and from them to your grandchildren. By passing down this ancient Bible from one generation to the other, you not only ensure its safekeeping but also help your family members understand the significance of the religious scripture. You may even attach your personal notes and reflections to this ancient Bible. For instance, saying that you believe in your children and in God who loves they will be a real encouragement to them, especially during stressful times when you would no longer be present in person.

A Great Gift

An ancient Bible is a great gift for your family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, etc. You can give the Bible as a gift at weddings, Christmas, baptisms or baby christenings, graduations, or when welcoming new members to the church. By sending your recipients God’s wisdom through His own words, together with His unending love, you can make them feel special. And since this isn’t your ordinary Bible but a rare, ancient Bible, it makes the gift all the more special and thoughtful.

Ready to Buy an Ancient Bible?

Now that you have learned the top five reasons for buying an ancient Bible, are you ready to act? Find a reliable and reputed dealer here for antique and rare Bibles to buy your copy of an ancient Bible for the world's most unusual gift-shop.