Bible by Chr. Plantin. 1583.
Biblia Sacra
Item Number: 13708 Authenticity Guarantee
Voet, 690B; Adams H.M., B1089; Bibles BN Paris, 3830
This folio-Bible was realized with the financial help of the Spanish King at a moment when Plantin was considered by many to be a follower of the rebels, and in any way lived in rebel-held country and printed many ordinances and decrees decrying Philip II and his partisans. Already in 1580 Plantin started working on this Bible. On 1 July he wrote to Arias Montanus that he was ready to start the printing of this bible. Some months later, he could send his friend sheets of the Notationes in Sacra Biblia of F. Lucas intended to accompany the great Bible. However, it was only achieved in the first months of 1583.
The well-engraved world map (Shirley (World), 125) appeared already in Plantin's Polyglot Bible of 1571-72. It shows, amongst other detail, how the tribes of Israel were disseminated. There is an unusual island shown in the position of Australia which has given rise to speculation.