Newly acquired............................
The uncommon First Edition of the Peter Williams bible printed in Wales, in Welsh. In contemporary worn brown calf, some loss, corners bumped, 5 brass studs to each board. Spine, raised bands, no title, edges worn. Internally, title within double ruled borders, ink names at head, not paginated, signatures: A-D4; A-5K4; Apocypha A-X3; Family Pedigree Leaf; Testament Newydd, 1770 with its own title, within double ruled borders A-I Pp1; Salmau with own title Pp2- X4 (but Xx4), a few leaves a little loose. With 2 folding maps, Israel (U3) & Teithiau Yr Apostolion (Q4) by Morys Rhist (reworked William Jones plates), browning & spotting throughout, fep & the pedigree leaf have owner details (Owen Jones Cae Garw 1772. Maria Owen 1776 Bala. Mary Jones. Meirick Griffith 1858). Binders label to fpd (Moses Jones, Eifionydd), there were 8,600 copies printed & were sold for £1 each. (240*203 mm). (Darlow & Moule9602. Ballinger Bible in Wales 26).
An annotated edition of the Bible, prepared by Peter Williams, a Welsh Calvinistic Methodist, famous as an itinerant preacher. This is not only the earliest Welsh Bible issued with a commentary, but the first edition of the Bible printed in Wales. The prohibitions of the Bible-patent apparently did not apply to texts with a commentary. In 1766 Peter William began to prepare his commentary, taking as his model the English Bible, and in the same year a prospectus was issued. The work was sold in instalments, each part costing 1s., and the publication extended over four years, 1767-70. The Old Testament and the New Testament, with metrical Psalms appended, were comprised in fifteen parts, of which 8,600 copies were printed. The Apocrypha were printed last, and in a smaller number, the purchase of this section being at the subscriber's option: hence some copies omit the Apocrypha. The price of the complete work was £1. This Bible was printed for the editor by John Ross, of Carmarthen, a Scotsman who had learnt Welsh and become an active printer and publisher of Welsh books. The earliest appearance of his imprint is 1763, and it occurs as late as 1807.
