An impressive 18th‑century English family Bible, titled The Complete Family Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments, with the Apocrypha; and Arguments to the different Books; with Moral and Theological Observations, illustrating each Chapter; shewing the Use and Improvement to be made of it. Composed by the late Rev. Mr. Ostervald. Printed at Whitehaven for Milliken & Little, MDCCLXXVII (1777).
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This large folio (approx. 38.5 x 25 cm) carries the full King James text with the Apocrypha, preceded by Ostervald’s prefaces and arguments and followed throughout by running marginal references and extensive notes at the foot of the columns. The pages are set in a clear double‑column Roman type with headings and chapter summaries, making it both a usable Bible and a substantial piece of Georgian religious printing.
The volume is now bound in a sturdy later black leather‑effect binding with raised bands to the spine; inside, the hinges and inner margins have been neatly reinforced to support the heavy text block.
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Features:
Date & imprint: Whitehaven, Milliken & Little, 1777.
​Contents: Old & New Testaments, Apocrypha, arguments to each book, and Ostervald’s moral and theological observations on every chapter.
Size: 38.5 x 25 cm, a true pulpit‑ or table‑Bible presence.
Language: King James Version (Authorised Version) in English.
 
Condition
Good reading and display copy with typical signs of age and use. The later binding is sound but shows rubbing to corners and edges and a little fraying at extremities. Internally, pages are generally clean and legible with age toning, scattered spotting and some old water marks; several inner margins have been strengthened with an old paper repair strip near the gutter (see photos). No loose gatherings seen on a quick check, but expect minor imperfections commensurate with a 240‑year‑old family Bible.
 
Ideal for:
-A striking feature piece for a period library or church interior
-Collectors of 18th‑century English Bibles and provincial printing
-Film, theatre or photography props needing an authentic Georgian family Bible.
 
The Rev. Mr. Ostervald (Jean‑Frédéric Ostervald) “The late Rev. Mr. Ostervald” in this Bible is Jean‑Frédéric (often anglicised as John Frederick) Ostervald, born 1663 in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, and died 1747. He was a prominent Protestant pastor and theologian in the Reformed Church of Neuchâtel, educated at Zürich, Saumur, Orléans, Paris and Geneva; he spent his career there as deacon and then pastor, also teaching theology. Together with fellow Swiss divines Jean‑Alphonse Turretini (Geneva) and Samuel Werenfels (Basel), Ostervald formed a celebrated “Swiss triumvirate” that pushed for a more ethical, practical, morally focused Protestantism rather than purely doctrinal orthodoxy. His major works included treatises on moral corruption, Christian catechism, purity, and a Bible translation and commentary; English publishers drew heavily on his “moral and theological observations”. 
 
The Bible measures 38.5 x 25 x 9cm (15.16" x 9.84" x 3.54") and weighs 4.47kg (9.85lbs).