The Portland daily press., 1881-08-05
THE PRESS.
A Rare Old Bible.
a Copy of the First Edition Printed in
America.
philadelphia Ledger.l

philadelphia Ledgerl
LA representative of the Ledger was on Sat-
urday shown copy of the first Bible printed
In English in America. 1t is a rare book much
sought by photographers. The British Muse
UNI recently offered 5000 for a copy, and final
ly succeeded in obtaining one. This old book
is printed in BREWER type, is contained in two
small duodecimo volumes, bound in calf, and
bears the imprint of 1882. There is not trace
OF John Bull about it, The title page bears
the coat of arms of Pennsylvania, and at the
foot Of the page the reader is informed that it
was printed and sold by R. Aitkin, at Pope's
Head, three doors above the Coffee House in
Market-street, 1882"
Robert Aitkin was Philadelphia printer,
who fourished during Revolutionary times.
He was born in Scotland, and learned the
trade of bookbinding in Edinburgh. He was
thrifty, industrious and enterprising man. He
arrived in this City in 1863, and published
many books, both before and after the Revo-
luton. In 1775 he published the American
Magazine, and, among other publications
made by him, were the Transactions of the
American Philosophical Society,"" in three
quarto volumns. Aitkin died in 1902, and his
daughter, Jane Aitkin, continued the printing
business after his death. Three OF his great
granddaughters are still living in Philadel-
phia.
His most ambitious production was the pub
LEGATION of the Bible referred to, and it is said
that there was not such demand for the edi-
ton as was anticipated, and the venture was
not successful one in a pecuniary sense.
Printed as an introduction to the book is
statement giving brief history of the publ
cation. 1t was first suggested by Aitkin in a
memorial by him to Congress, dated Jan. 81,
1881. The memorial was referred to COM
mittee, of which James Duane was Chairman.
In 1882 the committee reported, saying that
Mr.. Aitkin had, at great "expence," now fin
ished an American edition of the Holy Scrip
lures in English, and they commended it to
the attention of the two chaplains of Congress
the Rev. DR.. White and the Rev. Mr.. Duffield
Upon examination the chaplains reported that
having selected and examined a variety of
passages throughout the book, we are of opin-
ion that it is executed with great accuracy as
TO the sense, and with as few grammatical and
typographical errors as could be expected in
an undertaking of such magnitude. They ex-
pressed the hope that the publication would
"prove as advantageous as it is honorable to
the gentle man who has exerted himself to
furnish if at the evident risque of private for
tune" In consequence of this flattering esti-
mate, Congress passed resolution approving
the pious and laudable undertaking of Mr..
Aitkin, and recommending the edition to the
inhabitants of the United States
Among other publications made by Aitken,
which are now exceedingly scarce, was "Ait-
kens General American Register and the Gen.
tlemen's and Tradesmen's Complete Annual
Account Book and Calendar, for the pocket or
desk, for the year of our Lord 1773." The
copy of this production in the hands of the
same gentleman who has possession of the BIZ
bic. exhibits faded and battered specimen of
the olden-time books, bound in calf, with a
flap on the cover to protect the edges. 1t is a
combination of diary and a latter-day news
paper almanac. 1t contains the changes of the
moon, and the time of the rising and setting of
the sun, appearance of the planets, &c. A list
Of the Mayors, Recorders, Aldermen and Com
mon Councilmen is given, together with Ia
BILE Of the Kings and Queens of England,
House of Peers, and the reigning monarchs of
Europe. The military and civil list in Ameri-
ca is also noted, and is followed by statement
OF the various Custom-house and Post Office
officials here at the time. Silk-culture had
evidently engaged the attention of people in
these days, for it is learned from this old book
that Society for Promoting the Culture of
Silk then existed; that 81 900 was raised by
subscription, and an additional 81 900 was vo-
ted by the Assembly of the Province. 1t is
stated that 'since the establishment of the fl
AZURE near 400 pounds of silk have been reeled
from purchased cocoons, besides large quanti-
ties reeled for individuals, and the silk thus
reeled and been sent home has been declared
as good in quality as any that come to the
London market and brought the price accor-
dinghy