top of page

1886 Victorian Family Holy Bible | Isaac Hough | Parallel-Column Edition | $545.00

  • Dec 29, 2025
  • 3 min read

Updated: 23 hours ago

This 1886 Victorian Family Holy Bible by Isaac Hough, 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 2000 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.


Close-up view of the embossed leather cover of the 1874 Victorian Family Holy Bible
Embossed leather cover of the 1886 Victorian Family Holy Bible

Parallel-Column Edition.

THE HOLY BIBLE

CONTAINING

THE KING JAMES AND THE REVISED VERSION

OF THE

OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS,

ARRANGED IN PARALLEL COLUMNS,

WITH

A Complete Concordance, Embracing Every Passage of Scripture in the Largest Editions,

THE PSALMS IN METRE,

100,000 MARGINAL REFERENCES AND READINGS.

AND

DR. WM. SMITH’S STANDARD BIBLE DICTIONARY,

IN WHICH EVERY IMPORTANT SCRIPTURAL WORD IS FULLY EXPLAINED.

A COMPLETE HISTORY OF ALL THE BOOKS OF THE BIBLE, BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED; CITIES AND TOWNS OF THE BIBLE, WITH DESCRIPTIVE SCENES AND EVENTS; BIBLICAL SCENERY; MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE ANCIENTS; BIBLE AIDS FOR SOCIAL AND PRIVATE PRAYER; THE HISTORY OF THE TRANSLATION OF THE BIBLE; THE TABERNACLE AND SOLOMON’S TEMPLE; SCENES IN THE LIFE OF CHRIST AND THE LIFE OF ST. PAUL; BIBLE TEXT EVENTS ILLUSTRATED, FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION.

A DOOR GALLERY OF SCRIPTURE ILLUSTRATIONS.

A CONCISE HISTORY OF ALL RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS.

A Comprehensive and Critical Description of the Tabernacle and its Sacred Furniture; with an Account of the Priesthood, the Worship and Sacrifices of the Israelites.

The Parables of our Lord and Saviour, Handsomely Illustrated.

AND MANY OTHER IMPORTANT AND VALUABLE AIDS TO THE STUDY OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, ALL WRITTEN TO INCREASE THE INTEREST IN AND SIMPLIFY

THE STUDY OF THE WORD OF GOD.

COMPILED EXPRESSLY FOR THIS EDITION, FROM THE WRITINGS OF DR. WM. SMITH, DEAN MILMAN, REV. JOHN KITTO, D.D., DR’S. VON EWALD AND MICHELSON, AND OTHER EMINENT BIBLICAL SCHOLARS.

THE WHOLE EMBELLISHED WITH

2000 Scripture Illustrations on Steel, Wood, and in Colors.


ALBANY, N. Y.:

ISAAC HOUGH,

No. 92 S. PEARL 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 & New Testament arranged in parallel columns, featuring the King James Version on the left column and the 1881 revised translation in the right column.


The Exterior

The Bible has undergone a sympathetic restoration that has preserved its historical character and charm. It features a newly re-backed spine 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

The pastedowns in this Bible have been carefully placed, likely by the original owner. They reflect the style of the late 1800s and add a personal and charming touch to the ends of the Bible. The preliminary leaves contain some inscriptions, along with the presentation leaf. The initial sections, up to the Tabular Arrangement of Biblical History (as shown in a photograph), exhibit wear on the outer edges, with noticeable chipping on the fore-edge of the pages. It is crucial to understand that these are not new Bibles; they are antiquarian books that should be treated accordingly, in this case, a 140 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 1886 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.



Price 545.00 | Purchase Page  | See all


 
 
bottom of page