If you want to build a collection, rather than just obtain one or two ancient Bibles, you may want to eventually acquire a very rare Bishops Bible (the “rough draft” of the King James Version), and perhaps a Rheims New Testament, which are in that same price range. Contact Us to discuss what is currently available in our inventory.
This material usually starts at well under $10,000 and can go up to around $25,000, with some even higher. You may wish to obtain a very large and ornate pulpit-sized “folio” printing (up to 17 inches tall) of a King James or Geneva Bible, as a more grand centerpiece for your home. Other than applying a moisturizing cream to the leather binding once every few years, they require no special care beyond what common sense would dictate. Such restoration is usually required and expected, and does not negatively effect the value of the book in any way.
Of course, the leather bindings typically last around 150 to 300 years of use before disintegrating, so over 80% of our ancient Bibles have been either completely rebound in fresh, strong, new leather… or at least had their original boards (covers) re-attached to a newer leather spine, one or more times over the centuries. Unlike the comparatively fragile Bibles printed today, usually made of super-thin “rice paper” or regular wood-pulp paper, glued together and designed for only 20 to 50 years of regular use these ancient Bibles are made of super-strong and very thick acid-free 100% rag cotton linen sheets (like bed linens), stitched together and designed to last nearly 1,000 years. No, not at all! They are very durable, having survived centuries of reading and use, in excellent condition.