1864 / 1865 BIBLE IN HIGH WEN-LI CHINESE, Bridgman & Culbertson’s Version

Description

E.C.Bridgman

THE BIBLE IN HIGH WEN-LI CHINESE

Bridgman & Culbertson’s Version. Printed by William Gamble of the American Presbyterian Mission Press in Shanghai, China. Old Testament 1865, New Testament 1864. A stout 32mo. measuring 5 5/8″ x 3 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ thick. Bound in its original 19th century 3/4 leather binding with marbled end sheets and housed in a new custom fitted half leather clamshell case. D & M 2545, Wylie’s list #17. VGC+.

In 1851, American Missionaries to China Elijah Coleman Bridgman (1801- 1861) and Michael Simpson Culbertson (1809-1862) began work revising The Delegates Version. The Epistle to the Romans was the first book printed in 1854 followed by Romans to Revelation in 1855. The complete New Testament was then printed in 1859. The translation of the Old Testament was completed in 1862 and was then printed in 1863 as a four volume set by The American Bible Society. The example offered here was printed by William Gamble, who ran the American Presbyterian Mission Press in Shanghai from 1858-1869, marrying the Old (1865) and New Testament (1864). Provenance: Lorenzo F. Fisler who was an American Photographer in Shanghai from 1864-1884.

COLLATION- The Old Testament: Without the general title page in English (also mentioned by D & M), The general title page in Chinese (dated 1865), The table of contents, The preface (3pp.), The Old Testament text divided into three parts: (1.) Genesis to Judges (pp. 1-392), (2.) Ruth to The Song of Solomon (pp. 392- 968), (3.) Isaiah to Malachi (pp. 969-1352). The New Testament Title page in English (dated 1864), The New Testament Title page in Chinese (dated 1864), The table of contents, The preface (2pp.) New Testament Text (pp.1 – 384). note- The headlines contain the name of the book in English, chapter Roman numerals and page numbers.

CONDITION- Internally this Bible is in very good condition. The paper is remarkably clean unlike those printed during this era. The pictures are representative of the whole. The Bible ends at Revelation 22 on page 384 as it should. A few dog ears were noticed. The last leaf and following blanks have a small tear to the inner bottoms. A Very Good example of an early complete Bible in Chinese and of missionary history.