The Holy Bible According to the Authorised Version, with Notes Explanatory and Practical, prepared and arranged by the Rev. George D'Oyly, D.D. and the Rev. Richard Mant, D.D., under the direction of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. London, 1856.
 
A handsome and uncommon complete three-volume edition of the celebrated D'Oyly and Mant Family Bible, retaining its extensive explanatory commentary and its original folding Biblical maps and plans.
 
Published for the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, the work contains the text of the Authorised or King James Version together with extensive theological and historical notes drawn principally from eminent writers of the Church of England and Ireland. It also incorporates introductions to the individual books, tables, indexes and a particularly attractive series of maps and plans illustrating biblical geography and history.
 
The three volumes comprise:
Volume I — Genesis to Job
Volume II — Psalms to Maccabees
Volume III — Matthew to Revelation
Importantly, the set retains the Apocrypha, including Tobit, Judith, Wisdom, Ecclesiasticus, Maccabees, the History of Susanna and The History of the Destruction of Bel and the Dragon, the latter traditionally associated with the additions to the Book of Daniel.
 
The volumes also retain their impressive folding maps and plans, including biblical maps of the ancient world, Mesopotamia and Canaan, Palestine and Jerusalem, together with a detailed plan of the Temple of Solomon. A printed list of the maps is included within the preliminary matter.
 
The commentary was prepared by two notable Anglican scholars. George D'Oyly (1778–1846) was a Church of England clergyman and theologian whose collaboration with Richard Mant produced the influential work generally known as D'Oyly and Mant's Bible. Richard Mant (1776–1848) was a theologian, biblical commentator, hymn translator and ecclesiastical historian who later became Bishop of Down, Connor and Dromore. 
 
All three volumes are attractively bound to match, with dark leather bindings, blind decoration, raised spine bands, gilt titles and elaborate gilt floral decoration around the board edges. The spines are individually lettered with the contents of each volume.
 
Each volume measures approximately 20.5 × 14 cm (8" x 5.5").
 
The set is in good antique condition with expected rubbing, scuffing and areas of wear to the leather, particularly to the spines, bands and extremities. Internally the pages remain generally clean and well preserved for their age. The large folding maps naturally show their original folds and occasional age-related creasing. There is an earlier ownership inscription for W. A. Hickling, 32 Main Street, Wombwell, W. Barnsley, adding a small element of Yorkshire provenance.
 
A particularly appealing example of this important nineteenth-century English family Bible: all three matching volumes together, with the Apocrypha and the original folding cartographic material surviving.
 
Date: 1856
Publisher: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, London
Editors/commentators: Rev. George D'Oyly and Rev. Richard Mant
Text: Authorised / King James Version
Volumes: Three
Size: approximately 20.5 × 14 cm each
Illustrations: Folding biblical maps and plans
Contents include: Old Testament, Apocrypha and New Testament.
 
The picture showing the period setting is included to give context, please be aware that it has been AI generated and so please rely on the actual dimensions given here for accurate sizing; other items that may be shown in the picture are not included in the sale.
 
We have long experience of shipping delicate and valuable items to some of the most discerning collectors all over the world, please see our 5-star reviews for the many customers who have been kind enough to leave their comments about that.