The Holy Bible [KJV] with Apocrypha, Lectern Bible, Baskett 1738

This refers to a rare 18th-century large-format (folio/lectern-sized) King James Version (KJV) Bible printed by John Baskett in 1738, often including the Apocrypha.

Historical Context

John Baskett (c. 1664–1742) was the King’s Printer in England and a prominent producer of Bibles and the Book of Common Prayer. His editions were known for high-quality production and typography, though some (like his famous 1717 “Vinegar Bible”) had notable errors. His printing office suffered a fire around 1738, which may have affected some copies of this edition.

The 1738 Baskett Bible is a substantial lectern Bible—large and heavy, designed for public/church reading rather than personal use. Copies commonly include:

• The Old and New Testaments (KJV text).
• The Apocrypha (intertestamental books, standard in many Anglican/Church of England editions of the period).
• Often bound with the Book of Common Prayer (BCP), a concordance (e.g., Downame’s), psalms, and liturgical materials like the Litany, Collects, Communion service, etc.

These were printed in folio format (roughly 15″ x 10.5″ or similar), with features like woodcut drop capitals. They are prized by collectors for their beauty and historical value.