Y Bibl cyssegr-lan : sef, Yr Hen : Destament, a'r Newydd. (1789)
Description
Y Bibl cyssegr-lan : sef, Yr Hen : Destament, a'r Newydd. (1789)
17 ¾ x 9 ½ x 3. In Welsh. LARGE. Published and printed by Rhydychain : Printiedig Yn Argraphdy Clarendon, Gan W. Jackson ac A. Hamilton, Printwyr ir, University, 1789. Early edition. Via World Cat, the Bible believed to be first translated into Welsh and published in 1588 (see below). None-the-less, a very rare 18th-century copy. No page numbering but estimate over 2,000 pgs. Complete. Full calf binding. Worn. Some moderate wear to spine head and tail, covers, and foredges. Otherwise FULLY INTACT. Spine, joints, and hinges are excellent.
This book was “Built RAM Tough.” A few, small ownership markings on front and rear pastedowns and front endpaper, to include a book plate. Perhaps ex-library way back in the day. Some trivial, isolated light marginal soiling here and there to the text block. Excellent paper stock used. Virtually NO foxing. Mostly crisp and clean throughout, though there may be an occasional leaf with some other slight imperfection such as a slight stain, tiny tear, fold, crease, or other minor quirk that comes with a book this age. Overall, a handsome 18th century copy. Well preserved and certainly an appealing – and heavy copy. Early editions like this one are not commonly seen in the marketplace. Very scarce.
The most important book in the history of Wales: This first complete Welsh translation of the Bible secured a language and helped define a nation. Its publication was the consequence of the emergence of European Protestantism.
“Y Beibl cyssegr-lan sef Yr Hen Destament, a’r Newydd,” by William Morgan was the first whole translated version of the Bible to appear in Welsh. It took some years for the work to be completed in printed form, between an Act of Parliament of 1563 and its publication in 1588.
Morgan was a Cambridge graduate and later became bishop of Llandaf and St Asaph. He based his translation on the Hebrew and Greek original Bibles, consulting also the English Bishops’ and Geneva versions. ‘Y Beibl cyssegr-lan’ included original translations as well as adaptations of Salesbury’s New Testament.
No other Welsh book has been as influential for it is a work of great linguistic and literary significance. The translator skillfully molded the classical language of the poets into the literary Welsh known to us today. In short, the book is the foundation stone on which modern Welsh literature has been based. It also allowed a highly monoglot Welsh population to read and hear the Scriptures in their own language for the very first time.
This Welsh translation of the Bible was a change-making book for the Welsh people and for the survival of the Welsh language. Published in 1588, following years of careful translation from the Hebrew and Greek, it was an important legacy of the European Protestant Reformation, bringing the word of God to the people.
Price: $395
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