The Howard Bible Collection, which entered the Alexander Turnbull Library in 1974, focuses principally upon the English Bible and Book of Common Prayer. It includes a succession of English editions, making it possible to study transmission and change of these texts during what is arguably their main period of development. Arthur Howard acquired almost half of this collection from the Sotheby sales of the Harmsworth library in January and July 1946.
The non-English component of the collection is made up of a small number of 16th-century texts in Greek, and Greek and Latin, and includes two incunabula.
More about incunabula in the Special Printed Collections
There are some very rare items, one of which is unique: The Bokes of Salomon (London: Thomas Raynalde, 1551), STC 2759. Another rare item is Proverbes, ecclesiastes or preacher (Imprinted at London : By Richarde Jugge the thyrd daye of Nouember, [1550?]), STC 2757.5.
Bindings range from a contemporary London binding on the 1527 Erasmus New Testament, to 20th-century morocco, with a large proportion of books being rebound in the 19th and 20th centuries by binders such as Francis Bedford, Riviere, and Sangorski & Sutcliffe.
More about fine and trade bindings in the Special Printed Collections
Further information about the collection can be found in 'The Howard Collection: early bibles and liturgical books in the Alexander Turnbull Library' by David Pearson, Turnbull Library Record 34 (2001), pp 11-28.
More about the Turnbull Library's Special Printed Collections
About Sir Arthur Howard
Arthur Howard was born in 1896, the third son of the surgeon R J B Howard (1859-1921). His career embraced a mixture of administration and politics; he was Treasurer of St Thomas's Hospital, London, between 1943 and 1964, Chairman of the Delegates of King's College, London during the 1950s and 1960s, and also Conservative MP for St George's Division, Westminster (1945-50). He was knighted in 1963 and died in 1971.
Howard's collecting interests included the English Bible and Prayer Book, English incunabula, Shakespeare, the Kelmscott Press, and first editions of medical and scientific texts. The library was housed in his country home, Wappingthorn, Steyning, Sussex.
Access items in this collection
Items from the Collection can be used onsite in the research reading room on the first floor of the Library on weekdays. Items need to be ordered in advance for use on Saturdays.
This collection is fully catalogued on the National Library Catalogue
Borrow items in this collection
Original items from this collection cannot be borrowed.
Get copies from items in this collection
You can order digital photographs and microfilm copies of items in this collection.
Photocopies are possible under certain circumstances, depending upon the physical condition of the item. Photocopies are made by Library staff.
More about copyright and usage
Get help
We can answer your enquiries in person, by letter, phone or email.
Image
Upper cover of the Taverner Bible, Matthew's version, London, 1539 (STC 2067). The early 20th-century citron goatskin binding is by Birdsall of Northampton. The most sacred Bible …translated in to English … by Richard Taverner (Prynted at London In Fletestrete at the sygne of the sonne by Iohn Byddell, for Thomas Barthlet, 1539). Sir Arthur Howard Bible Collection, Special Printed Collections, Alexander Turnbull Library.
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