[The Holy Bible containing the Old Testament and the New newly translated out of the originall tongues]

[The “Pearl BIBLE”] The Holy Bible containing the Old Testament and the New newly translated out of the originall tongues and with the former translations diligently compared and revised by his Majesties speciall command. Appointed to be read in churches. London:Printed by John Field one of His Highness's printers, 1658.

1 volume only (of 2, lacking the first volume), 24mo bound 12s (4 5/8 x 2 5/8in; 117 x 67mm). Collation: Bb8-12; Cc-Zz¹². The text starts with 'Proverbs' Chapter 1, verse 1, runs through to the end of the Old Testament, followed by separately dated letterpress title page on Nn6r for "The New Testament..." and the whole of the text of the N.T. (Text-block trimmed close, occasionally just touching the text).

Fine 18th-century Scottish black morocco, covers design with elaborate all-over decoration in gilt, centering on a typical 'wheel' design surrounded by massed small tools and large dots, spine gilt in five compartments with raised bands, decorative 'Dutch' endpapers, gilt edges (neat archival reapair to the front pastedown [see images]) 

The fact that this fine binding has been separated from its pair probably means that it is of only academic interest, but it is nonetheless a spectacular example of a binding executed during the early stages of the Scottish age of enlightenment.