SALE 1849 Devoll Family Miniature Ed Bible Eyre & Spottiswoode Pearl 24mo London For Sale

Antique King James Version of the Holy Bible printed in London in 1849by G.E. Eyre and W. Spottiswoode.

Bible Details

• Title: The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments
• Publisher/Printer: G.E. Eyre and W. Spottiswoode (Printers to the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty)
• Location & Year: London, 1850 (M.DCCC.L. at the bottom of the page)
• Format: Pearl 24mo (a small, compact pocket size)

For a pocket-sized "Pearl 24mo" printing from this era, the type of binding used on the cover:

• Milled Leather or "Roan": These small Bibles were frequently bound in dark, durable sheepskin (roan) or morocco leather for daily use, travel, or church attendance.

• Metal Closures: Because of their tiny, compact size, they were often outfitted with brass clasps, rims, or ornate corner pieces to protect the text block from warping or opening accidentally.

This beautiful inscription provides a fascinating historical context to your Bible. The elegant 19th-century cursive reads:

George C. Devoll's Book
Presented to him by his sister
Cynthia A. Devoll
in 1849

Historical Context

• The Date Discrepancy: You may notice that the title page is dated 1850 (M.DCCC.L.), while this inscription is dated 1849. During the 19th century, publishers frequently post-dated books printed late in the year to keep them looking "new" for the upcoming winter and spring markets. Cynthia likely purchased and gifted this fresh-off-the-press copy to George during the holiday season of late 1849.

• The Devoll Family: Historical genealogical records point to the Devoll family active in parts of Massachusetts, Ohio, and California. A Philip Devoll of Ohio, for instance, is documented as having a daughter named Cynthia, and family branches later migrated west to California during and after the Gold Rush era.

Personal inscriptions like this significantly elevate the historical charm of a pocket Bible, transforming it from a mass-produced volume into a treasured piece of family heritage.