Auctions | September 19, 2025

Huge Historic Bible Single Owner Collection to Auction

Chorley's

The 1599 Geneva 'Breeches' Bible

A collection of more than 250 historic Bibles, prayer books and other religious works assembled over half a century will be offered in 80 lots at Chorley’s on September 23.

The collection began by chance in the 1970s when a couple bought a set of wine glasses in London’s Portobello Road market and noticed the shopkeeper wrapping them in pages torn from an ancient Bible. That volume was rescued on the spot and became the cornerstone of a lifelong passion for discovering and preserving historic Bibles.

The collection includes Bibles in English, Latin, Welsh, and German, dating from the 16th century onwards. Many are filled with traces of previous owners including pressed flowers, handwritten family trees, and centuries-old prayers.

Highlights include:

  • the 1599 Geneva 'Breeches' Bible, known for describing Adam and Eve as making “breeches” to cover their nakedness (estimate: £400-£600)
  • a 1613 'She' Bible, an important variant of an early King James Version featuring a mis-gendering typo which uses “she” instead of “he” in Ruth 3:15 - “she went into the city” (estimate: £400-£600)

  • a 1640 Holy Bible with richly engraved plates and a complete Book of Psalms (estimate: £400-£600)

  • a 1676 Holy Bible with original metal clasps and a handwritten 17th century prayer (estimate: £400-£600)

The 1640 Bible
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Chorley's

The 1640 Bible

The 1676 Bible
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Chorley's

The 1676 Bible

The 'She' Bible
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Chorley's

The 'She' Bible

“This collection is a testament not only to the enduring power of the Bible, but to the dedication and passion of private collectors,” said Werner Freundel, Chorley’s Director. “It is rare to see such a breadth of examples gathered in one place, representing both scholarly importance and deeply personal histories.

“Together, these volumes chart the evolution of Bible printing from the 16th to the 19th century, and demonstrate the evolution of religious devotion and the artistry of bookmaking, illustrated with woodcuts, decorative bindings, and gilded craftsmanship. The collection is a remarkable testament to the way books carry memories across centuries.”