Sunday, April 25, 2021

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.

46 comments:

  1. damn, that's fascinating! wonder how much it's worth?

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    1. I contacted one guy so far online, and he said he saw one sell for $5,000.

      That's a lot of gin!!!!!!!!!!!! And it was made in Philly apparently.

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  2. Are you sure you're not going for a threesome with the Keno brothers?

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    1. Depends. Are they good looking? Oh hell screw it, Im horny. It been over a year Jimmy!!! A year!!!!!

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  3. Oh that is so amazing! I'm not terribly religious, but you don't have to be to enjoy these things. That book does look like a find, I can't believe your mother was going to chuck it!!!!! Looks Absolutely gorgeous, and in fabulous condition. Your grandmother sounds like a wonderful woman, and what a real Christian is all about. Must be where you get your sweet side I surmise?

    Of course, I enjoyed your arms giving the Vanna White treatment for the book showing. I hope you share your findings. I'm sure some place would enjoy having this in their collection, or perhaps a collector.

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  4. at least you were clothed when you photographed these. your cock would make for a hell of a book mark.

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  5. Our family has an heirloom bible about the same size, but with less trimmings.

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  6. I'm not sure how much that Bible is worth, but His followers are some of the most gullible people you can separate from their money. Come on. Do it. Think about the size of the Hendrick's tanker truck you can afford to keep the Casa well stocked.

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  7. Beautiful Piece!!! I don't know much on these things, but I'm guessing it is good your mother didn't rid herself of it. Out of curiosity, I googled the company and that publishing house building is till on Arch Street. I go past it almost every day. It is now loft apartments and shops on the lower level.

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  8. Cap Chasen4/25/2021

    Totally amazing... and it's breathtaking! Yes, I agree you don't have to be religious or into believing in God to enjoy religious artifacts and church architecture. The books looks to be in excellent condition. If you two didn't want it, I would see if you can fetch a price and sell it. Im sure it would make someone's day to have it, or perhaps some collection somewhere. I'd be interested in seeing your paintings you have too. I have heard the name Emile Gruppe. I often like his work.

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    1. When I was young I despised those painting, now find them very soothing. We have about 6 of his paintings and from what I can tell, are in their original frames.

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  9. I have an old family Bible that loos much like that, though without the gilding and with far less intricate artwork inside. Mine is from the 1870s. I've never checked how much it's worth, but then, as I said, yours is much more beautiful.

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  10. For a sec I thought you were going to show us Chocolate Covered Christians.

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    1. I thought of gutting the inside and using it for a lidded Rocher Ferrero candy dish.

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  11. I would likely burn if I touched that tome - I have steadfastly refused to have a bible anywhere near my house!

    Suggest (when it is safe to do so, of course) lug it down to a museum or library and get them to give you an overview. If it is worth money, flog it! As you say, gin doesn't grow on trees...

    Jx

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    1. I had no idea we even had it. Like you, I'm surprised I didn't burst into flames when I touched it dear.

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  12. Your grandmother was a rare woman, and a rare Christian, I'm sorry to say. That's a beautiful Bible. I've never seen one like it. Most old Bibles are ripped and mildewed.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. The last time I saw one Janie, was in a motel for a huh, well, clandestine, and used one to level the bed.

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  13. What a gorgeous book!! A piece of history
    and a work of art.
    xoxo :-)

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  14. This is so unique. Love it. I've only see a bible that size in a church. I'm not into the bibles by any means, but love the look of it. I wouldn't mind it sitting on my coffee table.

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  15. Yes yes yes yes yes! You really have a gem there! That is a Grand Family Bible With Glossary and Concordance. Are there spaces to fill in family births, deaths and marriages? There should be. And this one is in magnificent shape. That, my darling, you do not find very often. You Hang On To This. It is a very special book. My grandmother had a similar one, only in German, and it had come across in the covered wagons and looked it, every mile. The Playboy of the Western World also had this in German, but their family was a little ritzier than my grandma's, and it was kept in a special box that locked. Things like this are what family historians and geneologists drool over!

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    1. Yes Nations....this info was helpful!!! And it does indeed have the spaces for births, deaths and so on, and even for family pictures of members of the family. There were none in there, but we did find two loose pictures of two men in the back. I had no idea, but sensed this was a good find.

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  16. I agree with Steve above. I think you have come across a real gem. A gorgeous book indeed. Such a great find, and it looks to be in excellent shape. Years ago I worked for a antique bookseller in another life, and the owner had several of these bibles, with two of these, fetching as much as $6,900 for the one in mint condition. THANK GOODNESS you caught your mother! Im far from believing in God, but I can appreciate the work that went into it.

    If it was indeed a family heirloom bible you may want to keep it, but if it wasn't and you don't mind parting with it, I'd sell it. It is in EXCELLENT condition.

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  17. Whew....and here I thought for a minute you were turning over a new leaf.

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    1. Bwahahahahahahahahahaha haaaaaa ha! Yeah right? Could you imagine? Your too funny today toots.

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  18. Now I don't know about any of this stuff, kinda cool, but I did think at first, Maddie is reading the Bible now? What's next? Parting of the Red Sea?

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    1. You finally found me!!!! Welcome! I shudder to even think of reading that. Like I said it's a miracle I didn't go up in flames just handling the book.

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  19. Wait...there was a bible in the pictures?

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  20. Wow that is something, and I have seen this Bible before when working with my late father, who had many antique books. It is definitely worth getting someone to check this out as it looks like its in excellent shape. And the cover design on this edition may be a unique one, as the only other identical cover was on a German edition.

    It's a shame your grandmother isn't here now to show these "Christians" today what one really looks like. Loved hearing about her, and keep us posted on your findings. I may email you if you don't mind. I can get you some names of some collectors who could point you in the right direction. It really is unique

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    1. Yes do email me, it would be greatly appreciated Sam.

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  21. Your grandmother sounds like a true inspiration and role model. That bible is amazing. I've never seen one like it.

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  22. Don't get rid of something as beautiful as that bible. Published in 1884 makes it just under 140 years old; what's not to treasure?

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    1. The art drawings inside are gorgeous and so much detail.

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  23. I love it!
    I think you should keep it. Apart from the history, it's very unique and beautiful. That's a lot of gin, but it's oh so pretty!

    XOXO

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  24. Wow. It's in remarkable condition. I agree with getting it appraised, and then keeping it. Learn how it should be properly stored....

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    1. Im only surprised it survived my grandmothers attic. It was very dusty and jam packed thought it was covered.

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  25. I am in love with the book, less in love with the content. I believe Christianity is only believed mythology!

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    1. Hah ha ha ! I more into Greek mythology myself.

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    2. The bible was written by a crowd of homophobic misgynostic goatherds

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    3. the bible is a layering of legends. At some point, someone chose what were to be the basis of the Christian (later Catholic) Church. They kept some books, they took out some others (the so-called apocryphal Gospels). It's all mythology, like the Greek and Roman one!

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  26. Wow! That is amazing! But I like seeing you hold the book for some reason.

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  27. Bibles were printed in the hundreds of thousands by the 19th Century, so very few are actually worth money. Their value is sentimental, in the genealogical information contained in the cover leafs, or if the owner was historically famous. Please do obtain an appraisal from a professional certified appraiser before hollowing it out for other purposes! If you do decide to keep it, please insure it for the full appraisal value and not its value at auction!

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    1. We will be getting someone in to take a look at it. We definitely do not think it was our family bible as we don't recognize the name to whom it was presented. So it must have been gifted to my grandmother, or someone on her side.

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  28. Very nice philosophical discourse regarding your grandmother - she sounds truly wonderful. And as someone who delights in books - particularly with a history - this bible sounds like an absolutely amazing find particularly as you presented the beautiful cover and selection of pages. Amazing!

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  29. You found a very valuable treasure!

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Go ahead darling, tell me something fabulous!