1776 Gun-Wad Bible, Saur, Biblia

BIBLIA, DAS IST…. Germantown: Saur, 1776. 4to, 10" x 8". [4], 992, 277, [3] pp. Period calf over wooden boards, rebacked, clasps lacking *********** GUN-WAD BIBLE, BEING THE SCARCE THIRD EDITION. Though the third edition, it is perhaps the most famous of the Saur editions. Around 3,000 copies were printed, but only a small number survived. "At the invasion of Germantown Mr. Saur fled from the place, and the British troops destroyed nearly all the copies of the Bible, by converting the leaves into litter for their horses, and by using the paper for their cartridges" – Wright, pg. 47. This copy with some 19th c. genealogical notes in rather faded ink to front endpapers.
Condition Report: Title and prelim chipped (some slight loss of letters to the latter) and with old tape repairs (to the first two leaves and the final leaf); some finger-soling and similar stains throughout (title being the worst, by far); some water-stains in limited places, mostly confined to margins though in a few instances extending into the text area (with the last 6 leaves being the worst.) Note that photos show the worst examples of these flaws even though they occur in limited places; overall condition is consistent with age and average use.