Victorian-era Catholic family Bible, titled The Holy Bible, Translated from the Latin Vulgate (Douay and Rheims Versions), with revisions and annotations by the Right Reverend Richard Challoner, D.D. Published by Thomas Kelly of New York, circa 1876 to 1880, this quarto-format volume is bound in deeply embossed dark brown leather featuring a prominent raised architectural cross motif and elaborate gilt-tooling. The spine is detailed with five raised bands and gilt-stamped decorative panels. The interior contains numerous steel-plate engravings and a full-page chromolithograph of the Ten Commandments bearing an 1875 copyright. The volume also includes A Catholic Dictionary of the Holy Bible by Dom Augustine Calmet and an historical and chronological index. A Centennial Awards of Merit leaf is present, referencing the medal and diploma awarded to Thomas Kelly at the 1876 International Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia. The title pages denote the publisher address at 17 Barclay Street, New York.
Condition report:
The leather binding exhibits significant shelf-wear, scuffing, and loss of material at the spine extremities and corners. The interior shows pronounced foxing throughout and notable water staining (tidelines) to the upper margins, particularly affecting the front matter and early pages. The gilt decoration on the boards remains relatively bright despite rubbing to the raised edges of the embossed design. The binding remains structurally sound.
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