Item 2023-12-01/6 - Mount Pleasant Church Bible

One book printed on paper with leather binding. 31cm long (from top to bottom of the cover), 26.5cm wide (from spine to fore-edge), 6cm tall (from cover to cover while laid flat).

Likely presented to Ena Stoddart's family in 1888 by members of the congregation of the Mount Pleasant Methodist Church. At an unknown date it was relocated to the Bradford United Church, where it remained until the trustees of the Church found it in 2023.

Donated to the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library Archives by the trustees of the Bradford United Church in late 2023.

Copy of a Family Bible printed in 1880, with custom-ordered embossed leather binding, with gilt decoration on front. Pasted on the inside of the front cover is a leather book label with gilt lettering that reads: " Presented to the Mount Pleasant Branch of Christ Church by the junior members of the church as a token of affectionate remembrance of a dear friend". This is likely in reference to Ena Stoddart, who moved away from the area after her marriage in 1888. This is likely the Bible that was presented in her honour, as reported in The Witness. The book contains many engraved illustrations, including a coloured frontispiece. At the back there is a board for family portraits, decorated with illumination and with the portrait spots left empty. The edges of the text block are also gilded.

• English

Leather book label has stained some of the front flyleaves. The binding is fragile.

AR 7.4

This is likely the Bible mentioned on page 1 of the April 12, 1888 issue of the Witness. This issue is accessible through the Library's newspaper collection.

RAD, ISAD

Updated March 4, 2024

• English

The Witness, April 12 1888