Bible first book ever printed in american by congress

The eliot bible was in fact, the first bible printed in. Robert aitken, an immigrant from scotland, published a new testament, then asked congress permission to publish the entire bible. John eliot, a cambridge scholar and christian missionary, was a gifted translator and linguist. List of most expensive books and manuscripts wikipedia. Jan 10, 2017 the bible, adams promptly responded, contains the most profound philosophy, the most perfect morality, and the most refined policy, that ever was conceived upon earth. This speller is widely used in american schools and is peppered throughout with bible verses. Largest book ever published todd pratum bookdealer oakland. Later versions stated, noah webster who taught millions to read but not one to sin. The gutenberg bible also known as the 42line bible, the mazarin bible or the b42 was the first major book printed in the west using massproduced movable type. History of the bible timeline from creation to today. When charles thomson retired from congress, he spent 19 years researching and writing his thomson bible, a fourvolume work containing the first american translation of the greek septuagint. These two copies of the text are together for the first time since they were separated long ago. According to the journal of congress for september 12, 1782, an extract of which was reprinted as the bibles preface, congress voted to recommend. In fact, it was not until 1640 that the first book was printed in america.

The first bible printed in english in this country with an american imprint sabin p. A leaf from the first bible printed in the english language in america. The bay psalm book sets the record for the most expensive english language book ever sold. Rubensteins copy, on loan to the library for this exhibition, were at originally part of the historic old south church library in boston. Timeline of bible translation historyhow we got the. In 1663, missionary john elliot printed the first bible in america at harvard. On september 12, 1782, the full congress approved that bible, and it soon began rolling. The reason assigned was that the use of the book was so universal. How was the bible distributed before the printing press. And its the sort of fake that shouldnt deceive anybody who has the slightest understanding of american history. One wonders if basu and moe ever learned that the bible was the reason public schools were founded in the first place.

Aitken published congress s recommendation of september 1782 and related documents item 115 as an imprimatur on the two pages following his title page. This prayer included reading psalm 35 and the following words. Printed in brevier type on american made paper, it contained 726 leaves 1,452 pages. The first bible printed in america was john eliots algonquin indian language bible, which came off the press in 1663, and again in 1685. The gutenberg bible is the first great book printed in western europe from movable metal type. Published in cambridge, massachusetts in 1640 by stephen daye, the bay psalm book was a collection of holy songs translated from the old testaments hebrew into english. Timeline of bible translation historyhow we got the english. Among the important commodities that were in short supply were bibles. Aldens 1620 kjv may be the first copy of this translation on american soil, but its impossible to be certain. Jedediah morse, father of american geography, publishes the first geography text book which contains references to christianity. The first bible published in north america was the socalled eliot bible which was printed in 1663 at harvard college in cambridge, massachusetts. See here a library of congress image of the actual title page of this edition of the bible. Nov 01, 20 it marked the highest price ever paid for a printed book, and the last public trade of a copy of the bay psalm book.

The translator served as the secretary of the continental congress for 15 years, then retired from public life to turn his attention to bible study and to. Known as the bay psalm book, but really titled the whole booke of psalmes faithfully translated into english metre, it represents what was most sacred to the puritansa faithful translation of gods word, to be sung in worship by the entire congregation. Christoph saur ii 17211784 published the second saur bible in 1763, the first bible printed in america on american paper. This first american bible was to be a neat edition of the holy scriptures for the use of schools. As early as 1777 in the war for independence, congress considered funding the importation of bibles from holland or scotland. That bible approved by the founding fathers in congress was the first englishlanguage bible to be printed in america. Apr 06, 20 first book printed in america april 6, 20 written by zim this copy of the bay book of psalms is owned by the john carter brown library at brown university and is one of 11 copies of the first edition known to exist and one of only four perfect copies. On september 6, 1774, the first act of the first session of the continental congress was to pass a resolution to open its next meeting with prayer. Congress passed a resolution officially authorizing the edition in september 1782.

In 1777, about a year after the signing of the declaration of independence, the american colonies were suffering under the embargoes imposed by the british. It marked the highest price ever paid for a printed book, and the last public trade of a copy of the bay psalm book. Congress passed the following resolution, which was printed on the front page of the bible. The book was created by johann gutenberg in 1455, and was regarded as a masterpiece at the time. Bought by james lenox in 1847, it was the first copy to be acquired by a united states citizen. The library of congress has a copy of the aitken bible in the carson collection with main title.

Aitkens bible, published under congressional patronage, was the first english language bible published on the north american continent. Although the first bible printed in america was done in the native algonquin indian language by john eliot in 1663. Its the first bible printed in america and in a native american language. It is the most republican book in the world, and therefore i will still revere it. Gutenberg originally used red ink to print title headings, or rubrics, before each of the books of the bible. Jun 15, 2009 on this one theres no real story behind it all, no misunderstanding to clear upits a fake pure and simple. Printed in brevier type on americanmade paper, it contained 726 leaves 1,452 pages. Charles thomsons bible was printed in 1808 by jane aitken, the daughter of robert aitken, who had taken over her fathers printing business when he. Because the printers were not trained typographers, the book is rife with typos, plagued with spacing errors, and crudely laid. In 1781 aitken undertook to print the first complete english bible produced in america and sought the official sanction of congress for his edition.

On january 21, 1781, robert aitken petitioned congress for permission to print a complete bible for the american people. Called the bible of the revolution it was the first englishlanguage bible printed in america and the only bible ever authorized by an act of congress. That fact was clear in the very first act of congress, authorizing the printing of twenty thousand bibles for the indians. Background and the need for an american printed bible. May 20, 2011 the first english bible printed in this country, as well as the first bible to be recommended to the people by the congress of the united states, was relatively small in dimensions. What is for sure is that gutenbergs work, published on his printing press, changed the world. While the old testament was first copied on leather scrolls, the use of papyrus soon became the favorite of bible copyists. The first colonists probably brought geneva or bishops bibles.

July 15 congress approves printing bible the bible of. The firstever translation into english of the septuagint, the first english translation of the new testament by an american, and the first bible printed by an american womanjane aitken. Publication of the bible was regulated by the british government, and required a special license. Robert aitkens 1782 bible was also the only bible ever authorized by. The roanoke colony was settled long before the kjv and the colonists had disappeared by 1590. Again, on september 10, 1782, congress approved the printing of bibles in america by a man named robert aitkin. Largest book ever published todd pratum bookdealer. As aitken reported to george washington, the venture was a financial failure. Its creation marked a transition in bookmaking of medieval europe in its usage of the moveable metal type. First, of course, the united states congress didnt exist in 1782. It is said to be the most printed book in the history of the world, with more than one billion copies in print.

Jul, 2016 the first book that was printed and made available using this new printing technique is known as the gutenberg bible. In addition the son printed at least six editions of the german new testament, the last being in 1775. It measured but five and fiveeighths inches by three and oneeighth inches. Rumballpetre located only 125 copies of this edition in public and private collections worldwide. But it was not a version of the kings speechor kings englishthe king james bible. Beck, congress did not print a bible for the use of schools.

In the early 1600s, the geneva bible became the first bible to be taken across the atlantic to america. An outline history of religion in american schools no bible. Dec 26, 2018 it is said to be the most printed book in the history of the world, with more than one billion copies in print. After the colonies declared independence, the british put an embargo on any bibles exported to america. While those bibles were ordered imported by congress, there is no indication that any ever arrived. Prior to the american revolution, the only english bibles in the colonies were imported either from europe or england. The first book published in what is now the usa was a puritan hymnal called the bay psalm book. Rather, it was written in the algonquin indian language. Gutenberg bible project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. An outline history of religion in american schools no. Many people are shocked to discover that the first bible printed in america. It is the very first book printed in what is now the united states.

On september 12, 1808, in philadelphia, jane aitken published charles thomsons translation of the bible into modern english in four volumes, making her the first woman to ever print a bible, and the first publisher of a modernenglish bible since the king james version of two centuries earlier. The first congress and the first bible teach our history. The only copy held outside europe or north america is the first volume of a. Jamestown was founded in 1607, again too early for the kjv. Widely praised for its high aesthetic and artistic qualities, 1 the book has an iconic. The gutenberg bible also known as the 42line bible, the mazarin bible or the b42 was among the earliest major books printed using massproduced movable metal type in europe. Known as the aitken bible, this was the first and only edition of the bible ever authorized by congress. The holy bible, containing the old and new testaments. The gutenberg bible library of congress bible collection. No english bibles had ever been printed in the colonies. Aitken printed 10,000 copies of his bible, only 3040 of which still exist today. Robert aitkens 1782 bible was also the only bible ever authorized by the united states congress.

The first book printed in america rare books digest. The first book that was printed and made available using this new printing technique is known as the gutenberg bible. Gutenberg bible the gutenberg bible was the first book ever printed, and is one of the crown jewels of the library of congress. On this one theres no real story behind it all, no misunderstanding to clear upits a fake pure and simple. Congress authorizes first printing of the bible, on this. In a legal paper, written after completion of the bible, johannes gutenberg refers. What americas founders really thought about the bible. It also appears in various lists of lies circulated by email, and eventually copied onto hundreds of websites. Aitkens impressive credentials which included publishing the journals of congress and publishing numerous articles by thomas paine convinced the committee, and on september 10, 1782, aitken was give permission and financial support to print the first edition of. Consequently, in 1781, a plan was advanced in congress to print americas first englishlanguage bible. The bible is a book worth more than all the other books that were ever printed. When this process proved too time consuming, he abandoned it in favor of simply. The library of congress copy was acquired at the sale of the baker collection, philadelphia, apr. The completed book according to the library of congress may have been released around 1455 or 1456.

Consequently, in 1781, a plan was advanced in congress to print america s first englishlanguage bible. The library of congress catalogue card assigns to the bay psalm book. Because english language bibles could not be printed in america but. Old south church to sell first book published in north america, huffington post, decemeber 2, 2012. Called the bible of the revolution, robert aitkens little bible was small enough to fit into the coat pocket of the revolutionary war soldiers. Chronological history of the holy bible used book stores. The first bible printed in america a leaf from john eliots algonquin native american indian language bible. The earliest printed book in the list is a southern song annotated woodblock edition of the book of tang printed c. Mar 08, 2009 this speller is widely used in american schools and is peppered throughout with bible verses. But, by omitting the part of the resolution acknowledging this instance of the progress of arts, it is easily made to appear that congress passed this resolution for the. The exact date that johannes gutenberg published his first book the bible isnt clear, although some historians believe the first section was published on september 30, 1452.

Compiled and edited with the cooperation of the library of congress and the national union catalog subcommittee of the resources committee of the resources and. The bible held a significant place in the culture of early america, and one particular printed biblethe aitken biblebecame known as the bible of the american revolution. Mar 29, 2019 aitkens bible, published under congressional patronage, was the first english language bible published on the north american continent. Aitken published congresss recommendation of september 1782 and related documents item 115 as an imprimatur on the two pages following his title page. Another copy owned by a private collector was donated to the library of congress in 1955, and yet another is safely stored inside a box at the john carter brown library at brown university in rhode island.

The bible, the greatest book ever written, is indispensable to christianity. The first bible printed in the british colonies in america was the famous. Printing an accurate edition of a book as large as the bible was a monumental task for any printer, and congress wanted it known that an american printer had accomplished it. Robert aitkens bible was the first known englishlanguage bible to be printed in america, and also the only bible. The first english bible printed in this country, as well as the first bible to be recommended to the people by the congress of the united states, was relatively small in dimensions. Aitkens bible, published under congressional patronage, was the first english language bible published on the. Gutenbergs invention of the mechanical printing press made it possible for the accumulated. Up to the end of 1961 the american bible society had distributed over 592,000,000 copies of the scriptures robert aitken of philadelphia printed the first english bible in america in 1782 with the approval of the congress.

First bible published in north america guinness world. It offered the first bible ever printed in america in two folio volumes, with. On completion, he petitioned and received from the congress of the confederation. It is therefore a monument that marks a turning point in the art of bookmaking and consequently in the transition from the middle ages to the modern world. The first hand written english language christian holy bible was 80, and the first book ever printed on a movabletype printing press was the gutenberg bible, 1454, but that was written in latin. The first bible printed in america museum of the bible. The sheets of papyrus were sewed together and placed between two pieces of wood for covers. Library of congress world digital library ted widmer, this is the first book the puritans published on our shores, slate, november 19, 2012.

A cumulative author list representing library of congress printed cards and titles reported by other american libraries. But when we seek the first bible printed in america in the english language, the fun. The gutenberg bible was among the earliest major books printed using mass produced. Congress authorizes first printing of the bible, on this day.

Ironically, aitkens sister, jane, later became the first woman to print a bible in world history, also on september 12, when she printed a bible containing charles thomsons translation of the new testament in 1808. The first recorded transaction in the book trade for this book took place in 1864 when collector george brinley bought the book from the dealer henry stevens for one thousand us dollars. Engage with the biblein the history surrounding this book of all books. The continental congress, september 10, 1782, in response to the shortage of bibles, approved and recommended to the people that the holy bible be printed by robert aitken of philadelphia. First bible published in north america guinness world records.