Bay psalm book sold by patricia

Printed in cambridge, massachusetts, on a press set up by stephen day, it included a dissertation on the lawfulness and. The work, entitled the whole booke of palsmes faithfully translated into english metre, was published in seventeen hundred copies, of which only eleven survivefive complete and the others lacking a varying. The auction for the copy of the whole booke of psalmes thats become known as the bay psalm book finally happened last week, and billionaire david m. Jan 29, 2017 the whole booke of psalmes faithfully translated in to english metre 1640 also known as the bay psalm book was the first book length publication in the north american colonies. Bay psalm book, 1640, perhaps the oldest book now in existence that was published in british north america. The project began in the spring of 20 when professor patricia. The volume was the bay psalm book a literary monument of the cultural and religious aspirations of the early settlers of the country. Census of copies of the bay psalm book, with provenance. The most expensive book sold at auction the bay psalm book. Published in 1640 by stephen daye in cambridge, massachusetts, only 11. It will go on display in libraries across the united states. Book published in 1640 sets a record at auction the new york. The reverend jesse glover imported the first printing press to the massachusetts bay colony in 1638, some 18 years after the first english settlers landed at plymouth rock.

Text in the book indicates it was printed and sold by benjamin harris. Census of copies of the bay psalm book, with provenance, sale. Bay psalme book article about bay psalme book by the. Nov 15, 20 as the first printed book in america, the bay psalm book was an early harbinger of american independence. The intended use of the bay psalm book tells us why it was americas first book. The singing of psalmes, though it breath forth nothing but holy harmony, and melody. As the first printed book in america, the bay psalm book was an early harbinger of american independence. The bay psalm book 1 the lord to me a shepherd is, want therefore i shall not, he in the folds of tender grass doth make me down to lie to waters calm he gently leads restore my soul doth he he doth in paths of righteousness for his names sake lead me. Join david redden director, special projects, and selby kiffer senior specialist, special.

In november 20, philanthropist david rubenstein purchased this copy of the bay psalm book at auction. The bay psalm book was the collaborative project of over twelve leading puritan divines and the first publishing venture of the massachusetts colony. The copy of the 1640 bay psalm book sold by sothebys this past. Printed in 1640 by puritans in massachusetts, the bay psalm book one of. Book published in 1640 sets a record at auction the new. Bay psalm book, common hymnal of the massachusetts bay colony. Believed to be the first book published in the us, the work has become the most expensive printed book after it was auctioned. Courtesy, houghton library, harvard university vault stc 2738 3. Millions of copies were sold in audiobook, cd and ebook formats. The whole booke of psalmes faithfully translated in to english metre 1640 also known as the bay psalm book was the first booklength publication in. Richard mather and a group of his fellow new england clergy transcribed biblical psalms into metered verse. Huntington acquired a large portion of churchs library, including the bay psalm book. Thats a wrap the battered bay psalm book is just 6in by 5in, riddled with printing errors and poorly bound.

It was transferred to the huntington library as part of the establishment gift. A london printer, stephen daye, came with the press and established a printing office in cambridge. David redden of sothebys highlighted the fact that the bay psalm book has acquired a mythical rarity. The main thing you need to know right now about the bay psalm book is that a copy of it is up for public sale for the first time since 1947. Until this version of the bay psalm book surfaced, it was not known that a seventh edition was printed in the united states. The bay psalm book, as this work is commonly known, is the first book printed in british north america. Rare bay psalm book goes on view at sothebys the new york.

The selch connection oberlin college and conservatory. Q2r from the bay psalm book remaining at the old south church, showing the unique reading in psalm 69, verse 23 see page 39. The bay psalm book is believed to be the first book printed in what is. The bay psalm book was the first book to be printed in north america, twenty years after the arrival of the pilgrims in massachusetts. The enigma of the bay psalm book by zoltan haraszti, 1956. Bay psalm book article about bay psalm book by the free. Bay psalm book archives newyork historical society. The first book written and printed in the new world, the bay psalm book holds a unique place in our cultural and religious history. Rubensteins copy, which has been rebound, is complete and one of the six copies that includes the original title page. The psalms in it are metrical translations into english. It was the first time in more than sixtysix years that a copy of this rare book was sold on the open market. Nov 25, 20 today, sothebys will auction a copy of the first englishlanguage book printed in america. It was prepared by puritan leaders of the massachusetts bay colony. Written by richard mather mather, richard, 15961669, british puritan clergyman in north america, b.

Bay psalm book sold december 4, 20 rns1nov20 for the first time since 1947, and only the second time since the nineteenth century, a copy of the first book printed in america will be sold at auction. The whole booke of psalmes, or the bay psalm book, as it is now known, is expected to sell for. What you need to know about the bay psalm book christianity. W4r from the harvard copy of the bay psalm book, showing a contemporary emendation to psalm 87, verse 6. The bay psalm book sets world record at auction us news. Today, sothebys will auction a copy of the first englishlanguage book printed in america. Bay psalme book article about bay psalme book by the free. For many, as patricia caldwell has noted, the trauma of. It is estimated that 1,700 copies of the book were printed, which sold for twenty pence. Christopher saur believed that domesticallymade bibles should be sold cheaper. Heath anthology of american literaturethe bay psalm book. It was acquired by an antique book store in boston in 1872.

Printed in 1640, its considered to be the first book. Bay psalm book offers valuable insight into how colonial divines shaped the ideal of religious purity to. Today, only eleven copies are still in existence and fetch as much as fourteen million dollars at auction, making it also the most expensive book in the world. Assistant professor james oleary discusses the bay psalm book, which became the first book printed in the new world when the puritans published it in 1640. The record for the most expensive book is currently held by a copy of john james audubons birds of america which was sold in 2010 for. It was the first book printed in british north america.