1795 3 Volume Bible Complete Set by James Fittler

This 1795 3 Volume Bible Set by James Fittler is a remarkable example with fine binding and superior craftsmanship. These volumes have exquisite show quality bindings and represent a significant piece of biblical history. Misprints in Bibles, such as these 1795 "Child Killer" Bibles as they are often called, due to the misprint at Mark 7:27, are mostly sought after by collectors due to their rarity.

Historical Relevance

The 1795 "Child Killer" Bible is historically significant as a premier example of Bible Errata—a category of rare books where typographical errors fundamentally alter sacred text, revealing the fallibility of human production in even the most revered works, demonstrating that while the message of Scripture is considered divinely inspired by believers, the physical transmission of that text has always been subject to human error. It serves as a "testament to the human element" in early modern printing, where every letter had to be individually hand-set using movable type. Misprints in Bibles have become highly sought after by collectors due to their rarity and the often intriguing stories behind them, along with the fact that they represent a fascinating intersection of faith, history,

Provenance

Lord Viscount Cremorne (1725–1813) Born Thomas Dawson: He was an influential Irish landowner, politician, and wealthy banker. He served as a Member of Parliament for County Monaghan in the Irish House of Commons for nearly two decades before being elevated to the peerage as Baron Dartrey, and later Viscount Cremorne in 1785.Historical Context: Lord Cremorne moved in high-society British enlightenment and political circles. He married Philadelphia Hannah Freame, the granddaughter of William Penn (the founder of Pennsylvania). He was famously painted by legendary artists like Sir Joshua Reynolds and Sir Thomas Lawrence, and his name lives on geographically through Cremorne Gardens in London and the suburb of Cremorne in Sydney, Australia.

Reference: https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2020/the-dealers-eye-new-york/sir-thomas-lawrence-p-r-a-portrait-of-thomas

The Reverend David Davies (1742–1819): A Welsh-born clergyman in the Church of England, Davies served as the Rector of the small rural parish of Barkham in Berkshire, England, from 1781 until his death.Historical Context: Beyond his pastoral work, Rev. Davies is celebrated by modern historians as an empirical social scientist and pioneer of economics. Troubled by the severe poverty hitting rural families due to rising food prices, he began collecting detailed data on household budgets, wages, and expenses. He compiled these into a landmark 1795 book, The Case of Labourers in Husbandry, which is widely credited by historians with containing the very first modern household survey in British history

Translation Process in the 18th Century

The translation of biblical texts in the 18th century was a rigorous and often contentious process. Translators faced numerous challenges, including linguistic barriers, theological disagreements, and the limitations of printing technology. They relied on various manuscripts and earlier translations, which sometimes contained discrepancies, many translations underwent extensive scrutiny from religious authorities to ensure doctrinal accuracy. The English language was evolving, requiring translators to make decisions about word choice and phrasing that would resonate with contemporary readers. All of these factors along with manual typesetting made books and Bible from this era, prone to errors and misprints like these "Child Killer" Bibles. Collectors often seek out these unique editions not only for their misprints but also for their historical significance and the insight they provide into the challenges of biblical translation over the centuries past.

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