FROM WRAPPING PAPER TO RARE TREASURES

Chance discovery in the 1970s sparked a 50 year passion, rescuing over 250 Bibles& prayer books that are a testament to collecting

A remarkable collection of over 250 historic Bibles, prayer books and other religious works, carefully assembled over half a century, will be offered for sale in 80 lots on 23 September. The extraordinary assembly offers collectors, institutions, and bibliophiles an unparalleled opportunity to acquire a wide variety of the world’s most influential book.

The collection began by chance in the 1970s, when a couple purchased a set of wine glasses in London’s Portobello Road market and noticed the shopkeeper wrapping them in pages torn from an ancient Bible. That volume was rescued on the spot and became the cornerstone of a lifelong passion for discovering and preserving historic Bibles.

Over the years, the collectors scoured dusty bookshops in Hay-on-Wye, bid tirelessly at country house sales, and acquired fine examples from across Europe. Along the way, they developed an eye for the craftsmanship of vellum and leather bindings, the beauty of woodcut illustrations, and the power of early printing that brought the Bible to households across Europe.

The collection includes Bibles in English, Latin, Welsh, and German, dating from the 16th century onwards. Many are filled with traces of past lives: pressed flowers, handwritten family trees, and centuries-old prayers - poignant reminders of the generations who turned their pages in faith and devotion.

“This collection is a testament not only to the enduring power of the Bible,

but to the dedication and passion of private collectors,”

said Werner Freundel, Chorley’s Director.

“It is rare to see such a breadth of examples gathered in one place,

representing both scholarly importance and deeply personal histories.”

Highlights of the sale include

A 1640 Holy Bible with richly engraved plates and a complete Book of Psalms

Estimate: £400-600

A 1676 Holy Bible with original metal clasps and a handwritten 17th-century prayer

£400-600

A 1599 Geneva “Breeches” Bible, known for describing Adam and Eve as making “breeches” to cover their nakedness

£400-600

A rare 1613 “She” Bible, an important variant of an early King James Version featuring a mis-gendering typo which uses “she” instead of “he” in Ruth 3:15 - “she went into the city”

£400-600

“Together, these volumes chart the evolution of Bible printing from the 16th to the 19th century,

and demonstrate the evolution of religious devotion and the artistry of bookmaking -

illustrated with woodcuts, decorative bindings, and gilded craftsmanship.

The collection is a remarkable testament to the way books carry memories across centuries.”

Explore Chorley's September 2025 Auction of Fine Books, Maps & Manuscripts