17th Bible in Figures, Hand-colored

THE HISTORY OF THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT DESCRIBED IN FIGURES. [London], [ca. last quarter of 17th c.] Title plus 59 (of 60) leaves containing 118 (of 120) engraved plates, all hand-colored. 4.5" x 2.75". Bound in an attractive early morocco binding with elaborate tooling in gilt. **** An extremely rare and wonderful collection of hand-colored plates intended to illustrate scenes from the Bible. It appears that several editions exist, and the dates are mostly conjectured, starting from around 1670 up to 1700. We also note that not all copies were colored, as this one. All are extremely rare. In this copy, the leaf containing plates 31 and 32 is bound at front in place of the missing leaf which would have contained plates 1 and 2. The title is detached an held in by an old pin. Early ownership signature of Margaret Wadsworth appears on the upper title margin. It appears some editions had a letterpress title or an ad leaf, neither of which is present here; whether they are lacking in this copy or simply were not issued with this edition is unknown. These plates were also found interleaved with text, but those appear to be later editions. The preface of one such edition (ca. 1694) indicates that the plates were issued originally on their own, but it was thought "that they might be rendered more useful to add the Explanation of them in Verse...." Lot is sold as-is.
Condition Report: Partial split to front hinges, binding rubbed. Title and a few other leaves chipped (in one case with slight loss to the engraving), a couple of short closed tears, the whole with finger-soiling or similar stains (from use.) Sold as-is.