THE GUILD OF JAKUB Scripture of the Old and New Testaments [1911 decorated with 230 illustrations by Gustave (Gustave) Dore].

Publisher A. Paris , Toledo, Ohio, 1911. 37.5 x29 x10.5 cm, 2232 leaves, [2], 230 full-page graphics by Gustav Dore in the text. Original cloth binding, marbled edges. Polish language.

The text of the Bible translated by Jakub Wujek, from its appearance in 1599 until the appearance of the Millennium Bible in 1965, was the only formally accepted text of the Holy Scriptures in the Catholic Church in Poland. It has lived to see quite a number of editions, nevertheless very rarely exclusive. The item offered here is a huge, one-volume exclusive edition stocked with 230 engravings by the famous Gustave Dore (1832-1883). Dore's biblical illustrations have become some of the most recognizable in history and even today adorn more sophisticated editions of the Scriptures. Dore originally prepared 241 images (not all were used) originally included in the French-language La Grande Bible de Tours (1866). Over time, the graphics began to adorn editions in other languages, and in 1873-1874 they appeared in a beautiful, monumental 2-volume Polish-language edition printed in Warsaw by Glucksberg. The 1-volume edition on offer is a slightly smaller version of the Warsaw edition, though probably no less impressive. It was prepared by Polish émigré Antoni Paryski (1865-1935), who was very much involved in the life of the Polish community in America (although he had an anti-clerical attitude, which can be read between the lines in the introduction to the edition). The item begins with a title card (repaired), an introduction from the publisher and a double endorsement (by the Consistory and the Primate - from the 1599 edition of Wujek's original Bible). Then goes the introduction to the Scriptures and the main text. At the end is a table of contents and illustrations. The item contains all original graphics (230). Original binding (repaired, new spine) with image of Moses (both back and front). Edges of pages with marbled pattern. Condition of pages good with light traces of discoloration at the very edges and at the beginning, slightly frayed in places. Minor card underlining not affecting the text.