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1717 King James "Vinegar Bible" – Deluxe Imperial Folio, Printed by John Baskett [Darlow & Moule Issue A] (The Supreme Giant of English Printing)
The 1717 John Baskett "Vinegar Bible" Imperial Folio Variant represents a highly distinct and fascinating anomaly in the history of grand-scale bookbinding, deviating significantly from the publisher's standard layout to cater to a connoisseur's preference for unparalleled material luxury. While the primary printing run was distributed on traditional paper sizes for parish pulpits, a select number of affluent subscribers chose an entirely alternative presentation. In this configuration, the text is printed on ultra-heavy, magnificent Imperial Large Paper, decorated throughout with intricate, contemporary red hand-ruled borders meticulously applied along every text box and engraving. This specific custom assembly stands out because it elevates the towering 21-inch sheets to the absolute zenith of 18th-century book engineering, effectively creating an exclusive, standalone monument of British Baroque art within a single binding. This particular structural format became highly valued for collectors who preferred to appreciate the intensely deep, rich copperplate impressions by Louis Chéron as a pristine, uninterrupted visual narrative untamed by standard margins. The 1717 Vinegar Bible represents the absolute peak in the history of English Bible printing, standing as the tallest and most physically imposing single-volume Bible production ever executed. This specific printing became famous for generating a "Baskett-ful of errors" due to its notoriously unproofed typography, highlighted by the infamous Luke 20 running headline reading "The Parable of the Vinegar," a blunder that mockingly defined its legacy while paradoxically cementing its status as an irreplaceable antiquarian treasure. Herbert 942 | ESTC T507265 | Imperial Folio Large Paper Variant with Red Hand-Ruling (Single Volume Complete: 20¼ × 13½ | 51.44 × 34.29)
About this Particular Bible
To look upon this Bible today is to feel the immense physical presence of 18th-century Bible printing. Standing at a staggering 20 ¼ inches tall, it holds the undisputed mantle as the tallest mass-produced single-volume English Bible in history—a physical footprint so massive that it historically demanded reinforced library tables or heavy oak lecterns. The physical reality of this masterwork underscores its role as an architectural centerpiece tailored specifically for the vast libraries of English Country Homes and sprawling aristocratic estates, securing its status as an elite work of art specifically marketed to the top tiers of British high society.Printed during the early Georgian era, Master printer John Baskett set out to completely eclipse the fine art presses of continental Europe, creating an unprecedented exhibition of British craftsmanship. This specific copy represents the absolute zenith of that ambition: a highly coveted, oversized Issue A variant printed on ultra-heavy Imperial paper. Rather than a standard church volume, this copy was treated as a work of luxury art. A contemporary craftsman meticulously hand-drew vibrant, crimson ink rules along every single column, margin, and engraving block. The resulting contrast against the deep black Roman typography is breathtaking, framing the crisp copperplate illustrations by Louis Chéron with a regal, jewel-like elegance.
The Exterior:
This monumental single-volume masterwork is housed in a substantial, full dark-brown late-Georgian sheepskin leather binding that features an imposing, custom-tooled Cambridge Panel layout adorned with delicate gilt-lace roll frames and ornate corner pyramids. The rich, antique leather finish exhibits a highly distinct, naturally crinkled, and heavily patinated texture across the sprawling original boards, displaying authentic horizontal character scarring, minor surface pockmarks, and localized cosmetic flaking along the lower perimeter consistent with over three centuries of preservation. While showing honest surface scuffing and gentle corner bumping from centuries of ownership, the binding remains entirely solid, true, and uncracked at the hinges, allowing this physically commanding and legendary typographic landmark to stand as a visually stunning, structurally sound centerpiece for an elite rare book collection.
The Interior:Internally, this monumental folio presents an honest, highly localized, and deeply authentic record of three centuries of use. The primary body of the scriptural text block is printed on remarkably thick, heavy handmade rag paper that opens to exceptionally bright and sharp Roman letterpress typography. The intricate copperplate headpiece engravings—including the monumental vignette introducing Genesis—remain dark, rich, and beautifully impressed. Framing the text blocks are the brilliant, contemporary crimson hand-ruled borders, which remain vibrant and visually striking. While the core text block structure remains firm, flat, and securely bound, the oversized leaves exhibit the expected edge-wear inherent to heavy Imperial folios. The minor internal imperfections are confined entirely to light, scattered historical handling smudges, typical localized corner thumb-soiling, and natural age-toning along the outermost page perimeters, providing undeniable proof of its early Georgian antiquity.
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