We have an ever-changing inventory of ancient theology books by the great Reformers (Calvin, Luther, Knox, Tyndale, etc.) and the most famous Puritans (Bunyan, Baxter, Owen, Watson, etc.) printed in the 1500’s and 1600’s. Let us know what is on your “want list”, and we will try to fill it!

It has been said the Foxe’s Book of Martyrs (also called “Foxe’s Acts and Monuments of the Christian Church”) is the most important Christian work ever printed outside of the Bible itself. This three-volume set details ALL historically known and recorded examples of the torture and martyrdom of the Saints from the First-Century Apostles up through the Reformation of the 16th Century, in extensive text and graphic woodcut illustration. Nearly 3,000 pages in length, it remains a historical work without equal. One of our most requested items.

1616 King James Folio
The First King James Lecturn Bible

Much larger than a quarto size printing, but a little smaller than the huge 1611 First Pulpit Edition; this was the first printing intended for classroom lecture use, rather than pulpit preaching. If you want a "first edition" of sorts in a large folio King James, but do not want to spend well into six figures for a 1611 ... this is what you want. Individual leaves from pre-1650 quarto King James Bibles and leaves from large 1611 pulpit folio King James Bibles are available on our Ancient Rare Bible Leaves page.

 

 

1616 Geneva Bible

An ornate folio in excellent condition. Printed in London and beautifully bound with silver clasps. Individual leaves from Geneva Bibles of the late1500’s to early 1600’s as well as leaves from the 1560 First Edition are available in our Ancient Rare Bible Leaves page.

The very first King James Bible ever printed was done in 1611 in London, and can cost well into six-figures, as shown in our Platinum Room. This 1629 printing is the First Edition of the King James Bible ever printed at Cambridge, and it is also a large pulpit folio. It is a much more affordable way of owning a “First Edition” of sorts… of history’s greatest book. A superb copy, owned by a nobleman and ruled in red throughout.

Done in Latin, and extensively accented in red ink, this is the very first concordance to the Bible ever printed! Bound in its original boards, this is the only one known to be available in the world. To even the most seasoned Bible collector we would say, "I'll bet you don't have one of these!"

The most widely acclaimed theological exposition in Church history. The magnum opus of John Calvin, the Father of the Reformation. This is a highly discussed, read, and debated item to this day. You may wish to read more about our facsimile reproduction of an ancient printing of Calvin’s Institutes. The genuine originals are extraordinarily rare.

 

One of the most sought-after polyglots (multi-language parallels), this important work gives us the opportunity to see the original languages of the Old and New Testaments - Hebrew and Greek respectively - each in parallel with the only language permitted by the organized church from 500 to 1,500 AD: Latin. This huge pulpit folio measures 16 1/2 inches tall and 11 inches wide. It is bound in quarter-calf over hand-marbled boards.

A large pulpit Bible (15 by 10 1/2 inches), printed in Germany. The first Hebrew language Bible to use VOWELS in the spelling of words.

This is an original printing of this classic work of Christian history, detailing the lives and contributions of the great Fathers of the Christian Church in the early centuries AD, printed by the Chaplain to the King, Dr. William Cave.

This huge pulpit folio printing of the King James Bible is the most historically significant edition since the 1611 First Edition. It is the First Edition of the King James Bible we use today. That’s right… many people who think they use the 1611 version are shocked to discover that the 1611 version has not been in print for more than 200 years (with the exception of our facsimile reproduction of it). In 1769 the spellings were updated … for example, “citie” became “city”… and some minor wording updates were also done. All King James Bibles printed by major Bible publishers today are the 1769 edition. This First Edition of the 1769 Updated King James Bible is an excellent and affordable investment.

A most curious and unique item... a very rare children's Bible printed in London. It was meant to help children learn to read, while learning of God's Word. This wonderful little book is in a protective clamshell case with a leather spine. What a great gift idea for the "home-schooler", or anyone who appreciates rare children's books and unusual Bibles.

The first Bible to be "Hot Pressed" as a printing method. A milestone in printing and a very scarce book. Also, one of the earliest Bibles printed in America. An extremely large and thick folio pulpit Bible.

Greek Papyrus Fragments from 148 AD

Even by our standards... WOW, these are old! These papyrus fragments are 148 to 149 AD. While these are not writings of a Biblical nature (they are from a private lease agreement for land in Israel), they are nevertheless, the same type of manuscript material that the New Testament was origianlly penned upon... and within a single century of when the New Testament was originally written. These super-rare conversation pieces make an unforgettable display piece for your home or library. They are quite small, varying in size from one to five inches in length by two to four inches in width, and they come pressed between two panes of protective glass. A Certificate of Authenticity accompanies each fragment.