This 1873 Victorian Family Holy Bible, published in Philadelphia by John E. Potter and Company, is a beautiful artifact from the history of religious publishing. This edition is not just a Bible; it is a richly illustrated folio that combines faith, art, and family heritage in a single volume. With thousands of detailed illustrations, a heavy embossed leather cover, and additional features like a Bible Dictionary and historical descriptions, this Bible offers more than scripture—it offers a window into the spiritual and cultural life of early American families.

BROWN'S SELF-INTERPRETING BIBLE-REVISED, WITH IMPORTANT ADDITIONS.

THE

HOLY BIBLE:

CONTAINING THE

OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS,

WITH

MARGINAL REFERENCES AND READINGS;

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE RIGHT UNDERSTANDING OF THE SCRIPTURES; THE CONCISE DICTIONARY OF THE BIBLE EXPLAINING EVERY IMPORTANT WORD; THE PSALMS IN METRE WITH EXPLANATORY NOTES,

AND

MEMOIRS OF REV. JOHN BROWN AND OF REV. DRS. COOKE AND PORTER,

WITH MUCH TABULAR AND INSTRUCTIVE MATTER.

TOGETHER WITH

CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES AND PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS,

BY

REV. JOHN BROWN,

Late Minister of the Gospel at Haddington, and Professor of Divinity to the Associate Synod.

With Several Thousand Additional Notes by

REV. HENRY COOKE, D.D., LL.D.,

President, Assembly’s College, Belfast.

AND

New Edition, with Important Additions, by REV. J. L. PORTER, D.D., LL.D.,

Prof. Biblical Criticism, Assembly’s College, Belfast.

AMERICAN EDITION, EDITED BY

REV. WILLIAM BLACKWOOD, D.D., LL.D.,

Author of "Blackwood’s Comprehensive Aids to the Study of the Holy Bible," etc., etc. Editor of "Potter’s Complete Bible Encyclopedia," etc., etc.

ILLUSTRATED WITH STEEL PLATES, AND MAPS IN COLORS.

PHILADELPHIA:

JOHN E. POTTER AND COMPANY

No. 617 SANSOM STREET.

About this Particular Bible

This Bible is considered one of the larger and more comprehensive Bibles of the Victorian Era. It Features The Old Testament, Apocrypha & New Testament. This Early American Edition is the scholarly evolution of John Brown’s original Self-Interpreting Bible (first published in 1778). What makes this 1873 especially sought after, is the "Triple Threat" of Scholars: This edition combines the work of three heavyweights in Presbyterian theology: John Brown (the original author), Henry Cooke (a major figure in Irish Presbyterianism), and J.L. Porter (a famous traveler and biblical geographer). In an era before the internet, this Bible was an all-in-one library. It includes a Bible Dictionary, Metrical Psalms (for singing), and Steel-Plate Engravings, which were high-end illustrations for the time.

The Exterior

The Bible has undergone a sympathetic restoration that has preserved its historical character and charm. It features a newly re-backed spine w/ the original leather laid-down and reinforced inner hinges, enhancing its durability beyond its original condition. The original leather has been treated and protected to prevent flaking and further deterioration, ensuring its preservation for many years, potentially extending its lifespan by another 100 to 200 years with proper care.

The Interior

This Bible has it's original pastedowns and both of it's original fly leaves. The fly-leaf has some chipping to the outer edge, after-which the pages appear quite nice along the edges, with foxing along the perimeter, consistent with it's age. The Bible also demonstrates moderate dampstaining along the lower edges of a goodl;y number of leaves. The leaves still retain much of thier strength and seem largely uneffected, besides the unsightly appearance in some places throughout the book. Please be sure to review the photos throughly, so that you may judge for yourself. The Matrimonial and Genealogical Leaves are blank, and ready for use. The typical photo containers found at the end of the Bible, usually 2 pages, have been removed, likely by a previous owner for sentimental reasons. This is a beautiful Bible to adopt as a family Heirloom. It is crucial to understand that these are not new Bibles; they are antiquarian books that should be treated accordingly, in this case, a 153 year-old Bible.

We provide detailed photographs to allow you to assess the book's condition and aesthetic appeal. Many, if not all, of the early books and Bibles we offer will show signs of aging, whether it's foxing on the pages, dog-eared or chipped corners, inscriptions from previous owners, or staining from years of use.

Why This Bible Still Matters Today

In a time when digital media dominates, this 1873 Victorian Family Holy Bible reminds us of the power of physical books to connect us with history, faith, and family. Its detailed illustrations invite readers to slow down and reflect. It encourages us to appreciate the craftsmanship of the past and to consider how we preserve our own stories for future generations.

The Role of Book Archaeology in Preserving This Heritage

At Book Archaeology, these Bibles are not only religious texts but also historical artifacts that reveal much about the cultural and spiritual lives of the past. As Guardians of the Written Word, we understand that preserving such volumes requires careful attention to their physical condition and historical context. Book Archaeology helps keep alive the stories and traditions embedded in these sacred pages.

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