Bay psalm book auction

This is the auction catalogue from 1947the last time a bay psalm book was seen at auction. Collectors can often find interesting examples of rare books at auction. The description of the bay psalm book in the 1875 leonard auction catalogue of the shurtleff library. 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. The bay psalm book is valued not only as an object of extreme. Printed in 1640, its considered to be the first book. Nov 27, 20 a copy of the bay psalm book is pictured at sothebys auction house in new york, november 21, 20. 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 bay psalm book is a metrical psalter, first printed in 1640 in cambridge, massachusetts. The most expensive book sold at auction the bay psalm. It was the first time in more than sixtysix years that a copy of this rare book was sold on the open market. Census of copies of the bay psalm book, with provenance.

The witch book, which was later owned by descendants of one of the people hanged after the trials, is a previously unknown seventh edition of the bay psalm book, dating to the late 1600s. T he 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. Flyleaf from the john carter brown library copy of the bay psalm book, with the signature of richard mather. Its going to be far and away the most expensive book ever sold, david. It marked the highest price ever paid for a printed book, and the last public trade of a copy of the bay psalm book. Nov 12, 2012 a census and account of copies is given in wilberforce eames introduction to the bay psalm book.

It was the first book printed in british north america. Being a facsimile reprint of the first edition, printed by stephen daye at cambridge, in new england in 1640. The book is a metrical psalter, first printed in 1640 in cambridge, massachusetts. Sothebys the bay psalm book auction catalog 20 ebay. The 6by5inch hymnal books estimated value was raised by 10 million dollars since the end of last year when we first ran a feature on the sale. The bay psalm book, believed to be the first book published in what became the u.

Auction house sothebys has sold a book, believed to be the first printed in. Apr 17, 20 image caption the bay psalm book has not appeared in auction since 1947 when it broke the record for highest price paid for a printed book. Rubensteins copy, which has been rebound, is complete and one of the six copies that includes the original title page. Nov 16, 20 but the bay psalm book, as it is known, has a special place in bibliophiles hearts, so much so that michael inman, the curator of rare books at the new york public library, said the auction was. The book is an important flemishmanuscript book of hours that is illuminated and it is extremely rare, hence its value. 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. Bay psalm book 1758 bay psalm book, the psalm, hymns and spiritual songs of the old and new testamen old heritage auctions. Bay psalm book auction smashes record for print book with.

The first book printed in america is expected to fetch. Nov 27, 20 the first book ever printed in what became the usa is now the worlds most expensive printed book. Nov 25, 20 the first book printed in what later became the united states of america is expected to set a world record at auction on tuesday. The psalms in it are metrical translations into english. The first edition of the resulting bay psalm book was printed in cambridge, massachusetts, in 1640, and sothebys will auction one of the 11 surviving copies in the dedicated auction. The bay psalm book the first book printed in america is. The crowninshieldstevensbrinleyvanderbiltwhitney copy. Courtesy of the john carter brown library at brown university. Another way to develop a collection of rare books is to simply keep the books you love, or seek out modern. The first book printed in what later became the united states of america is expected to set a world record at auction on tuesday. They are items that provide hours of enjoyment for the recipient. It holds the distinction of being the first book printed in america colonial america and has a bit of an interesting story, including being the highest selling book ever at auction. Bay psalm book wikimili, the best wikipedia reader. Dec 11, 2012 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.

Bay psalm book from 1640 breaks auction record for printed. Published in 1640, the bay psalm book is considered the first book printed in what was then. The first book ever printed in what became the usa is now the worlds most expensive printed book. Rare bay psalm book goes on view at sothebys the new. Today, sothebys will auction a copy of the first englishlanguage book printed in america. Nov 15, 20 as the first printed book in america, the bay psalm book was an early harbinger of american independence. The bay psalm book the first book printed in america. Until quite recently american scholars unaware that a printing press was operating in mexico.

First printed book in america expected to fetch up to. New york, 12 april 20 on 26 november 20, sothebys new york will auction one of the finest surviving copies of the bay psalm book the first book printed in what is now the united states of america. News bay psalm book from 1640 breaks auction record for printed volume. Rare bay psalm book goes on view at sothebys the new york. But the bay psalm book, as it is known, has a special place in bibliophiles hearts, so much so that michael inman, the curator of rare books at the new york public library, said the auction.

Billionaire david rubenstein buys colonial bay psalm book for. The whole booke of psalmes, or the bay psalm book, as it is now known, is expected to sell for. Last week, bostons old south church voted 274 to sell one of its two remaining copies of the 1640 bay psalm bookone of the most historic volumes in american religious history. The crowninshieldstevensbrinleyvanderbiltwhitney copy of the bay psalm book.

Billionaire david rubenstein buys colonial bay psalm book. A census and account of copies is given in wilberforce eames introduction to the bay psalm book. What you need to know about the bay psalm book christianity. That was more than auction prices at the time for the gutenberg bible. The reason that itis so special is that it was the first book ever printed in what is now the united states. A copy of the bay psalm book is pictured at sothebys auction house in new york published in 1640, the bay psalm book is considered the first book printed in what was then the british colonies. Nov 25, 20 today, sothebys will auction a copy of the first englishlanguage book printed in america. In november 20, philanthropist david rubenstein purchased this copy of the bay psalm book at auction. Let bidding begin for the bay psalm book from 1640 the new. The mystique of the bay psalm book this is the auction catalogue from 1947the last time a bay psalm book was seen at auction. They are a onesizefitsall solution to the problem of what to buy for a loved one. Census of copies of the bay psalm book, with provenance, sale.

As the first printed book in america, the bay psalm book was an early harbinger of american independence. Rubenstein works for an investment firm in washington, dc, and according to the new york times, rubenstein plans to lend it to libraries across the country. A book is also a considerate option when giving to an acquaintance such as a coworker. One of the greatest artifacts of american history, the whole booke of psalmes, commonly known as the bay psalm book, will be auctioned at 7pm on the 26th day of this month at sothebys in new york. Bay psalm book 1758 bay psalm book, the psalm, hymns and. Bound in contemporary calf, with remnants of brass clasps. Fortunately for scholars in need of a cheap reading copy, its available online the more accurate news stories describe the bay psalm book as the first book printed in english in the new world. The bay psalm book was the first book printed in british north america. The journal is occasionally on display at various museums. Join david redden director, special projects, and selby kiffer senior specialist, special. If youve ever dug into the puritans in any manner, youve come across something called the bay psalm book. The crowninshieldstevensbrinleyvanderbiltwhitney copy of. Book published in 1640 sets a record at auction the new. The bay psalm book in the libbie auction catalogue of the livermore library.