Top Ten Bible Pages
* Individual pages are more affordable than entire Bibles
* The most sought-after collectible pages are listed
* Pages can convey the history of the Bible to others
* Additional articles and podcasts throughout the year
By FRANK DEFREITAS for WONDERS OF THE BIBLE
PUBLISHED: January 29, 2021 | UPDATED: January 29, 2021
Top Ten Bible Pages
Me (Frank DeFreitas) with Genesis and Revelation title pages from a 1611 first-edition King James "He" Bible, printed in London by Robert Barker. The two title pages -- from the first and the last books of the Christian Holy Bible -- relate to each other in very interesting ways: (1) Genesis: the commencement of Heaven and Earth (ch 1:1) / Revelation: the consummation of Heaven and Earth (ch 21:1). (2) Genesis: the entrance of sin and the curse (ch 3:1-19) / Revelation: the end of sin and the curse (ch 21:27 22:3). (3) Genesis: the dawn of Satan and his activities (ch 3:1-7) / Revelation: the doom of Satan and his activities. (4) Genesis: the tree of life relinquished (ch 2-9, 3:24) / Revelation: the tree of life regained (ch 22:2). (5) Genesis: death makes its entrance (ch 2:17 - 5:5) / Revelation: death makes its exit (ch 21:4). (6) Genesis: sorrow begins (ch 3:16) / Revelation: sorrow is banished (ch 21:4).
If you are curious as to what are the top ten sought-after Bible pages, you've come to the right place. Hello, my name is Frank DeFreitas, and I would like to welcome you to Wonders of the Bible.
Collecting bible pages is a rewarding hobby that is open to everyone.
With this broadcast, I am going to attempt to give a list of the top ten collectible Bible pages.
Before I begin, and most importantly, it is wise to understand that your heart should not be with your collection, your heart should always remain with Jesus Christ.
When I first began to collect the history of the Holy Bible, I quickly realized that many Bibles were far beyond my ability to afford them. It was only when I discovered that many collectors turn to individual bible pages, rather than entire Bibles, that my collection was finally off and running.
At first, like most people, I was concerned about how the Bible leaves were obtained. Was someone destroying valuable, historical Bibles in order to sell individual pages? Well, the answer to that question turned out to be no. The great majority of those leaves come from Bibles that are usually far beyond repair: either from neglect, or water damage, or some other reason.
The first Bible in America printed for those that are visually impaired. It was printed in 1842 by the American Bible Society. Note that it is not yet in braille, but is reverse embossed so that the individual letters stand up. I shot this on a steep angle so that the shadows would bring out the letters. When viewed head-on, it is almost impossible to see anything on the page at all.
Since the goal of my collecting was to exhibit these pages, single leaves made more sense -- to me -- than entire Bibles. My reasoning was that someone who sees a Bible -- say in a museum exhibit -- usually only sees the page that the Bible is open to. In other words, even though an entire Bible is right there in front of someone, they're still only seeing one page of that Bible.
I thought to myself, "why don't you just get individual pages, frame them, and then display them, for others to see?".
So that’s what I did … and its what so many other people do today too.
I have had this list for many years. And, to give credit where credit is due, I wish that I could remember where I obtained the list. The paper is old, and it is in my handwriting. I have kept it for many years with the hope of one day doing a special web page, or podcast for it.
Well, that day has now come.
Now, technology is a big part of the Wonders of the Bible collection, and many people are curious as to what technology has to do with old, historic Bibles. Well, Bibles are a part of technology history, too. With the printing press. In fact, a pencil was technology at one time -- and it was even high technology at that.
Remember, that in order to have a Bible page collection, one does not have to concentrate on “famous” or the more popular verses.
The pages in this list are usually more expensive to obtain than other pages, due to the fact that each Bible contains only one page of the selection. For instance, a Bible contains only one John 3:16, or Genesis 1:1.
Of course, a Bible contains only one page of EVERY page if you want to look at it that way … but, still, in the world of collectors, some pages are more sought after than others.
Keep in mind that this top ten list is not about entire bibles. This is about specific Bible scripture chapter and verses that are most requested by collectors.
An extraordinary Bible woodcut illustration from the year 1560. It depicts our planet Earth from space. Note the Earth, moon, stars, planets, and even a comet. Also note the shadow that the Earth is casting behind it into space ... which is how an lunar eclipse works, when the moon moves through it and becomes darkened. The scripture is taken from Genesis, and is included in both Latin and German.
Without a doubt, however, when two of the same scripture verses are taken into consideration, the Bible date and version will most assuredly have an effect on price.
Lets move on to the Top Ten List:
#10: Philippians Chapter 4
I will read a few selections from Philippians chapter 4:
Verses 6-7 “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Verse 13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
And one of my favorites, as well in addition to the others, verse 11: “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”
#9. 1 Corinthians Chapter 13
Also known as the "Love Chapter"
Verses 11-13: “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.”
#8. Romans 8:28
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
#7. John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
(Listen to podcast for notes on this entry).
#6. The Lord’s Prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
Luke 11:2-4
“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
Tyndale 1534:
After thys maner therfore praye ye. O oure father which arte in heve halowed be thy name. Let thy kyngdome come. Thy wyll be fulfilled as well in erth as it ys in heven. Geve vs this daye oure dayly breede. And forgeve vs oure treaspases eve as we forgeve oure trespacers. And leade vs not into teptacion: but delyver vs fro evell. For thyne is ye kyngedome and ye power and ye glorye for ever. Amen.
(Listen to podcast for additional notes on The Lord's Prayer).
There are many other popular collectibles, including micro and nano technologies. The Lord’s Prayer was the reference standard for exhibiting examples of miniaturization. In the 1800’s, right after the invention of micro photography, people would stand in long lines to look through microscopes at the Lord’s Prayer.
(Listen to podcast for additional historical information on the history of micro and nano technology scripture).
The world's smallest Ten Commandments microfilm microphotography. Throughout history, scientists and technicians have used their God-given skills to proclaim Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. This microfilm dates back to the 1800's, during the time of the invention of photography.
#5. The Ten Commandments
The text of the Ten Commandments appears twice in the Hebrew Bible: at Exodus 20:2–17, and Deuteronomy 5:6–17
As you may have guessed, the Ten Commandments are a very popular collectible. They can be found in all forms of representation: from clay tablets, to Torah scrolls, all the way up to micro and nano technologies.
#4. Isaiah 53
Back to a chapter, rather than a single verse.
Christians of all denominations hold that Isaiah 53 is a messianic prophecy of Jesus. It is traditionally held within Jewish commentaries to be representative of the nation of Israel. It has been recorded as having been debated back and forth about that issue, going back to 248 AD.
#3. Proverbs 31
Once again back to a chapter, rather than a single verse.
#2. Psalm 23
I hit gold recently when I purchased a tattered and torn Bible that was the first Bible printed by a woman. It is known as the Thomson Bible. Charles Thomson was the former secretary of Congress during the founding of America. After he retired from Congress, he spent twenty years translating the Greek Septuigent into English -- and his Bible was the first as such. It was printed by Miss Jane Aitken of Philadelphia. It was published in four volumes, and the volume that I was able to obtain contained the 23rd Psalm. Of which I matted and framed. Out of all of the 23rd Psalm collectibles “out there”: from Bible pages to teacups, it has to be one of the rarest collectibles to have this 23rd Psalm by the first woman in America to print a Holy Bible.
School students view a Bible technology history exhibit put together by Frank DeFreitas (me) and my Wonders of the Bible collection. The most famous Bible pages in the history of the world are exhibited. How did the Holy Bible get into your hands? Or onto your computer? The mission of the Wonders of the Bible collection is to show the history of God's Word in all its forms: from the clay tablets of the past through the laser communication technologies of the future.
And now its time for the #1 slot:
#1. Genesis 1:1
"In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth".
Notice that, except for Genesis 1:1, none of the pages listed are title pages. With that being said, ANY title page is considered more in demand than any other page.
So there you have it folks. The top ten list, as far as I know, of the most sought-after and requested Bible leaves for collectors.
I hope you enjoyed the list, and if you happen to be a collector, let me know what you think of the list. Is is accurate? Would you remove any entry? Would you add a leaf that is not on the list? Let me know.
Once again, my name is Frank DeFreitas, and may God Bless You today and every day, AND, REMEMBER: to always love others, just as Jesus Christ LOVES YOU!
Stay tuned for next show: March 2021
"Science is the study of the physical manifestations of God in action."
-- Frank DeFreitas (Click Here for BIO)
