SUNDAY SERMON

 

Now if you think this is going to be the Mistress giving you some religious sermons, think again. With what I have done, have said, and my wicked ways, I'm lucky to even enter a church, and leave with it still standing, or just leave the building in uneven stable conditions. Mind you, I have nothing against church and those who are truly the good Christians. My dear grandmother was the definition of a good and true Christian. She looked forward to her church and going to services, and other church work. She was non judgmental and never judged anyone for their beliefs, religion choice or lack of, their political party,  or lifestyle. Even a few of the people she did housework for, treated her shabby, and she never told them once to go piss off. She was kind to all. Not one bad or snarky bone in her body. I don't recall her even cussing once. When I came out, and told her, I was told gay was bad, she comforted me and told me everything in this universe was created by God, even gay people. And she welcomed all into her home. I m sure the "new found Christians" of today would say she was not a Christian. The above book was found in her home when we were readying it for sale when she passed. Last time home, when I was  redecorating and painting a spare room for the Mother, I came across a white bag in the closet which was to be painted, and it was heavy as hell. Out popped this Bible. The whole bound is thick leather.

Has anyone seen a Bible like this before? We don't ever recall it being hers persay, but it may have been given to her as a gift, or perhaps she inherited it from a passed on friend. It was found in her attic when the clearing of the house started. My mother thinks her brother initially took the book to have, but then forgot about it. He has been passed now since 2004. She said pitch it...but I said no, this looks like something. This doesn't look like an everyday bible. You can see it's size here against me.

So far I have seen a date on the side of 1881 and inside this appears to have been printed in 1884 in Philadelphia from a place on Arch Street.

It seems to be some sort of comprehensive Bible. It has through out the book, beautiful illustrations, a glossary of biblical terms, pictures of all sorts of figures and places and other subjects of note, several detailed lithographs with gold leafing and a place in back for family photos. So far, my only research has found that the A.J Holman &Co had their own building, which still stands on Arch Street, and was designed by  the Wilson Brothers, who also designed the Reading Terminal. A,J Holman apparently specialized in Bible printing. So far one person on line I seeked out,  saw one in good condition sell for $5,000.

As you can see the pages are gilded. There are over 1,500 pages, 12 chrome-lithographs and numerous illustrations that have tissue paper protecting them from contacting the other pages. The are also various maps, a complete concordance, and a chronological table. Hard to believe the book may be around 137 years old and appears to be in excellent condition.

Anyone see one of these before? Any feedback or info would be welcomed. We still need to get an experienced antique professional in to the house to take a look at this. We still need to get more info on that Sheraton Desk, as well as paintings by an artist, Emile Gruppe that we have several of. My mother has no idea what she has in that house. 

You may see us yet on PBS's the Antiques Roadshow. We will be the ones drinking martini's while on air.