Case 4
- 18th and 19th Century Bibles
A curious hieroglyphick Bible, or, Select passages in the Old and New Testaments, represented with emblematical figures, for the amusement of youth. London: Printed by Robert Bassam [et al], 1796.
Based on
the principle of the rebus, the hieroglyphic Bible is a type of illustrated
children’s Bible which was particularly popular during the eighteenth century. A curious hieroglyphick Bible was the
first English language version of a hieroglyphic Bible, originally published by
Thomas Hodgson in 1783. Hieroglyphic Bibles introduced children to brief
biblical passages with an intriguing combination of image and word – a puzzle
to be solved and holy text to be read, understood and memorised.
A curious hieroglyphick Bible, or, Select passages in the Old and New Testaments, represented with emblematical figures, for the amusement of youth. London: Printed by Robert Bassam [et al], 1796.
Open image in new window
The modern hieroglyphical Bible, designed to promote the amusement and instruction of youth. London: R. Harrild, 1815.
An early
nineteenth century English hieroglyphic Bible printed by Robert Harrild of
London. Numerous editions of hieroglyphic Bibles were issued until the
mid-nineteenth century.
The modern hieroglyphical Bible, designed to promote the amusement and instruction of youth. London: R. Harrild, 1815.
Open image in new window
An abridgement of the sacred history of Jesus Christ and his Apostles: containing the most striking passages in the New Testament: adapted to the understanding of the meanest capacities, and design'd for the improvement of Christian knowledge. London: Printed & sold by Ryland, 1779.
This
eighteenth century abridgement of the New Testament served a dual intention:
“to facilitate the Instruction of Children” and to spread “the Light of the
Gospel” via missionaries in foreign lands. This edition is attractively
illustrated with copper plates, aiming to neatly encapsulate the subject of
each short passage for the reader’s edification.
An abridgement of the sacred history of Jesus Christ and his Apostles: containing the most striking passages in the New Testament: adapted to the understanding of the meanest capacities, and design'd for the improvement of Christian knowledge. London: Printed & sold by Ryland, 1779.
Open image in new window
The pocket Bible for little masters & misses: translated from the original tongues and appointed to be read by children. 4th edition. Wellington [England]: Printed by F. Houlston & Son, [ca. 1810?]
First
published by F. Newbury in 1772, this miniature Bible was printed with text and
illustrations intended to be immediately accessible to young children. The
highly abridged stories from the Old and New Testaments are written in a clear
and concise style, with woodcuts depicting major events in the Bible. The small
size of the volume allowed it to be handled with ease by the youngest of
readers.
The pocket Bible for little masters & misses: translated from the original tongues and appointed to be read by children. 4th edition. Wellington [England]: Printed by F. Houlston & Son, [ca. 1810?]
Open image in new window