The Devotional Family Bible: With Practical and Experimental Reflections on Each Verse of The Old and New Testament, and Rich Marginal References. Illustrated with Numerous Engravings. (2 volumes)

The Devotional Family Bible: With Practical and Experimental Reflections on Each Verse of The Old and New Testament, and Rich Marginal References. Illustrated with Numerous Engravings. (2 volumes) Fletcher, Rev. Alexander. c1835. London: James Fletcher.

Folio.(10.5" x 14") Two Volumes. Full black pebbled leather with multiple decorative gilt rule framing beveled boards. Decorative gilt rule to board edges, thick floral gilt decorated turn-ins over biege pastedowns. Spine with five raised bands, gilt lettering to second and fourth compartments, heavy gilt fancy frames and centered filigree gilt devices to all others, heavy fancy gilt rule to head and foot of spine. Engraved frontispiece and title page to each volume. All edges gilt. Edgewear, corners lightly bumped and rubbed, bottom edges of all boards with scuffing, shelfwear. Boards scuffed in places, some light scratches, upper board of Vol.I scraped with tiny loss, overall a very nice looking binding. Large text in two columns with annotations to center, notes below. Some engraved plates and both engraved title pages moderately foxed, most clean with a few with small spots to margins of image. Contains the Apochrypha, alphabetical list of names of the Bible (separate OT and NT), tables of weights and measures, five blank "Family History" pages with decorative borders pages precede the New Testament. Illustrated with 98 tissue guarded plates including the frontispieces, two engraved title pages. Heavier foxing to frontispieces, engraved title pages and less so to others, mostly to margins of image only.

A handsome two-volume folio edition of Rev. Alexander Fletcher’s The Devotional Family Bible, combining the Authorized Version of the Old and New Testaments with practical and devotional reflections on each verse, extensive marginal references, and a substantial series of engraved illustrations. Fletcher’s edition was designed not merely for reading Scripture, but for use within the household, where biblical text, commentary, family record keeping, and visual illustration could all be brought together in one imposing set.

Alexander Fletcher (1787–1860) was a Scottish minister who became especially well known for preaching to children and families. His Devotional Family Bible reflects that pastoral approach: the text is presented in large double columns, with references between the columns and explanatory or devotional notes below, making the set both a Bible and a practical household commentary. Later reference works specifically describe Fletcher’s edition as containing “practical and experimental reflections” on each verse and rich marginal references.

The bindings are especially attractive: full black pebbled leather over beveled boards, framed with multiple gilt rules, gilt-decorated board edges and turn-ins, five raised spine bands, gilt lettering, and elaborate gilt floral and filigree ornament. All edges are gilt.

A particularly decorative example of the nineteenth-century family Bible tradition, combining scripture, commentary, household genealogy, Apocrypha, and extensive engraved illustration in a large-format presentation intended as both a devotional book and a permanent family possession.