BIBLE, in English - The Holy Bible, London, "Printed by John Field, Printer to the Parliament", 1653, tall 24mo, engraved title, contemporary calf with a design of tendrils and flowerheads and initials "F. P." stamped on each cover (rubbed, lacks clasps).

BIBLE, in English - The Holy Bible Containing Ye Old and New Testaments Newly Translated out of ye. Original Tongues and with the Former Translations diligently compared and revised. London: "Printed by John Field, Printer to the Parliament," 1653. Tall 24mo (110 x 52mm). Engraved figural title, New Testament and Book of Psalms title pages within double rule borders and with typographical ornaments, printed almost entirely in double column (some light abrasion to the engraved title slightly affecting legibility, rust hole in last few leaves with minor loss of letters, some leaves cropped). Contemporary full calf with a design of tendrils and flowerheads ruled in blind and the initials "F. P." stamped at the centre of both covers, marbled endpapers (lacks clasps but with 2 metal fitments remaining to the lower cover, extremities rubbed, the free endpapers cut away). Provenance: "Francis Prosser. His booke, anno domini 1693" (inscription on the blank verso of the leaf facing the title to the New Testament, with his initials on covers); some early pen trials and "FIN" in old manuscript on the stubs at the end. This bible, printed at the beginning of the Protectorate, is sometimes known as "The Pearl Bible" on account of its miniature font and small size physically, which enabled it to be carried in pockets; it also gained notoriety for its numerous misprints which were exhaustively itemised in William Kilburne's pamphlet "Dangerous Errors in Several Late Printed Bibles" (London, 1660). Wing B2237B; Darlow & Moule 498; Herbert 637: "This small bible is very incorrectly printed."