Vintage Bible Appraisal

Personalized King James Version Bible (1959)

This item is an open bible, displaying its frontispiece or presentation page. The page is made of thick, off-white cardstock or heavy paper, and features an ornate, colorful floral border. The border is composed of intertwining vines with small, stylized leaves in shades of red, blue, and gold, along with some green, against a background of warm cream. The overall style of the border suggests a traditional or possibly an Arts and Crafts influence, common for devotional books of the mid-20th century. Centered on the page, in a dark, classic serif typeface, are the words 'Presented To'. Below this, handwritten in cursive script with dark ink, are the recipient's name: 'Ida m. Jenkins'. Following this, still in the dark serif typeface, is 'By', and then the presenter's handwritten name: 'Leslie Wing'. Finally, the word 'Date' in the same serif typeface is followed by the handwritten date: 'Dec. 1959'. This personalization indicates the Bible was likely a gift intended for a specific individual on that date. To the right of the presentation page, the gilded edges of the Bible's text block are visible. The pages appear thick and slightly discolored with age, exhibiting a uniform yellowish-brown patina. The edges are clearly thumb-indexed, a common feature for Bibles aiding in quick navigation to different books. The construction appears sturdy, suggesting a well-bound volume. The condition of the presentation page itself appears very good, with no visible tears, wrinkles, or significant foxing, which supports the 'good condition' context provided. The crispness of the handwritten entries further suggests careful preservation over the decades. The visible binding edge to the far right appears to be a soft, possibly leather or faux leather cover, consistent with a high-quality Bible of that era.