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Posted by Chris (South Jersey, United States) on 21 January 2008 in Art & Design.

On a winter day when the sunlight is wonderful but it is too cold to venture outside (or I am too lazy to bundle up), I took some photos inside instead with what I found in the house. This is my family Bible (circa 1890), which has been handed down through the generations of my family since my great grandfather. It is a wonderful old book, but a little fragile for a lot of use - which is a shame because it has some wonderful pictures and other extra-biblical material.

I am not by any means a biblical expert, but I try to read a least a little bit from the Bible every day. I don't always appreciate what I am reading (or even understand it), but I know there is a lot of Truth in there and sometimes I find that I can get something new from a passage that I have read many times before.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Psalm 119:105

I hope that I can become a better photographer with the examples here on Am3 and by getting your feedback on my images.

I may not be able to reply to each of your comments - but they mean a lot to me and I thank you!

Please visit my wife's blog - The Noble Wife

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Comments (14)

Jrask from Pasadena, United States

That's no standard Zondervan...What a beautiful book (and picture!). It seems reading the Word from this book would be a little more meaningful somehow, retaining that holy aura that gets lost in our all-too commercialized faith.

21 Jan 2008 8:04am

@Jrask: Thanks for the comment - it is a beautiful book, but a little hard to read for a couple of reasons. First, it is huge - you could crush a small animal with this thing!! Second, it is not in the best shape - the binding is starting to separate and so I try not to open it too much.

For me, the type of bible that I read is not that important (I imagine this version would have been considered commercialized when it was published) - what matters is that it is the Word of God and I need to soak in what I read and allow it to roll around my brain a bit and allow the Spirit to speak to me through the Word.

Craiger from Vacaville, California, United States

That looks like some awesome artwork on that bible!

21 Jan 2008 8:43am

@Craiger: There is some amazing detail on the cover and the artwork on the inside is pretty amazing as well. What matters to me more are the words inside though.

Nishana from Calicut, India

wow! at first glance, i thot it ws d ceiling of a castle-like building. it looks terrific, i must say..

21 Jan 2008 10:39am

@Nishana: Thanks - it is a very ornate book.

Steven from Montreal, Canada

Lovely detail and the lighting!

21 Jan 2008 4:08pm

Ina from Krugersdorp, South Africa

Great artwork, nice capture

21 Jan 2008 4:17pm

@Ina: Thanks Ina!!

Hoopand from Tehran, Iran

perfect macro. great subject!

21 Jan 2008 5:19pm

@Hoopand: Thanks!

Jrask from Pasadena, United States

good point!

21 Jan 2008 5:28pm

MaryB from Staffordshire, United Kingdom

Beautifully captured Chris, the lighting is wonderful.

21 Jan 2008 6:10pm

@MaryB: Thanks - it is nice in winter that you can get some nice low level light coming through the windows of the house (and can stay outside when it is so cold out!!).

Laurie from New Jersey, United States

The bitter cold makes me seek out inspiration inside.

It is interesting that you chose this as your inspiration. Very fitting.

That is a very intricate bible. Is it an old one? I've never seen one like that.

21 Jan 2008 7:25pm

@Laurie: It is old - I can't tell how old but there are dates of 1872 and 1881 inside, and the family record portion has birthdates back to the 1870s. I think it dates from about 1890-1900. Thanks for your comments!

Richard_Irwin from Belper, United Kingdom

You have created a nice close up of this old family bible. Nice work.

21 Jan 2008 7:26pm

@Richard_Irwin: Thank you..

Viewfinder from Bradenton, United States

A very beautiful cover. I would love to see this in person.

21 Jan 2008 7:42pm

standley from brou-sur-chantereine, France

Great details and lighting. Well done

21 Jan 2008 9:58pm

Judy from Brooksville-Florida,, United States

I saw this yesterday but was rushed, so didn't comment. After seeing today's shot, I see how DEEP the tooling is on the cover!!! This is family treasure to cherish. It would no doubt cost a fortune to have it repaired. Your photo of it is beautiful.

22 Jan 2008 1:53pm

@Judy: It is a family treasure, and I wouldn't dream of turning it over to someone to repair - just too valuable. I did try to read it a bit last night and the binding is in bad shape but there is so much "other" stuff in there besides the scripture - dictionaries, pictures, commentary, concordance, etc.

Anita from West Nottingham, United States

Very nice photo of a beautiful book binding. Great idea to stay indoors when it is too cold.

23 Jan 2008 7:41pm

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