OLD ENGLISH BIBLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18295, 11 January 1923, Page 7

OLD ENGLISH BIBLE.

«. , GIFT TO PUBLIC LIBRARY. \ . '. .. NEARLY 400 YEARS OLD. A copy of the. rare and famous Bible ! of Henry VIII.'. generally known as "Cranmer's Bible," and 1 , published in 1540, has been presented, as a New Year's gift, to' the Auckland Public Library, by Mr. H. Shaw, of Napier, and formerly of Auckland. Although this interesting edition, which shortly will be on view in the library annexe, is known as "Cranmer's Bible," Cranmer had nothing to do with' its production. Myles Ooverdale was • the principal translator and also supervised the printing bnd publication of the work, and Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, attended to the financial part of the . undertaking on behalf of the King. A prologue written by Cranmer was his only connection with the matter. The title page of the Bible reads: — The Byble in /Englyshe of the largest and /test volume auctorysed and apoynted/by the • commaundemente of our moost/ redoubted Prynce and Soueraygne Lorcie/ K'ynge Henry the VIII. Supreme hsade/ of this his churche and Realme of/ Englande: to be frequented and/ used in every churche in this his/ sayd realme. accordynge to the/ tenouii" of his former in: /junctions geven in/ that behalfe Oversene and perused ,at the co-/maunde-met of the Ivynges hyghnes,/ by the ryghte reverende father in God/ Cuthbert bysshop of Dures me and Ni/colas. bisshop of Rochester. Printed by Edwarde Whitchurch/ cum priviligio adimprimendum solum 1541. The Colophon reads: — The. ende of the- -newe -Testament/ and of the whole Byble ffynyshed in November/Anno MCCOCCXL. :■'_,