2 vols. The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments... 5¾x3½, full red calf with attached enclosing strap over fore-edge, all edges gilt. NY: American Bible Society, 1860. * The Holy Bible, Containing the Old and New Testaments, Translated out of the Original Tongues... Illustrated with 10 full-page steel-engraved plates; plus 5 original photographs inserted in the "Family Portraits" section. 12x9¼, full paneled morocco over heavy boards, decoratively embossed & tooled in gilt, spine lettered in gilt, inner gilt dentelles, white moiré silk endpapers, two brass clasps, all edges gilt. "Harding's Superfine Edition." Philadelphia: William W. Harding, 1871. Together, 2 vols.
A nice set of two Bibles and original photographs from the family of Michael A. Murphy of Nevada. Michael A. Murphy (1837-1909) is one of Nevada's prominent figures and pioneers. He was Nevada's District Attorney from 1872 to 1878, then under the Republican ticket he was elected Attorney General from 1878 to 1893 and finally he was elected to Nevada's Supreme Court where he served as Chief Justice until 1894. The 1871 Bible includes in the "Marriages" section with the hand-written names of Michael A. Murphy to Martha J. Myers (September 22, 1859) and Frank E. Murphy to Elizabeth U. French (August 20, 1890). The "Births" section has a listing of nine family members with dates and places and the "Deaths" sections lists three members including John Granville Murphy (June 27, 1864), William Edward Murphy (January 4, 1887) and Martha J. Murphy (December 24, 1894). Includes 9 total original Murphy family photographs, 5 of which are inserted in the "Family Portraits" section and 4 are laid in. Also, an "In Memoriam" printed letter laid in from the Officers and Members of the Terpsichorean Social Club dated January 12, 1887 honoring W.E. Murphy and sympathizing over his sudden death. The 1860 bible with the signature of Miss Amanda Beaver and newspaper clippings reagarding her marriage to Charles W. Friend in Placer County, CA and then her death at the young age of 20 years and 10 months affixed to the front free endpaper. Other related newspaper clippings and a folded typed paper from the Nevada Esther Chapter (Order of the Eastern Star) honoring charter member Emma Friend Amberg (a Murphy relative), laid in.
Condition:
Leather for 1860 bible somewhat rubbed, leather strap holder detached at top; contents clean with first signature a bit loose; some soiling and shelf wear to 1871 bible, minor staining spots to fore-edge, brass clasps slightly loose yet still complete; occasional foxing; together, very good to near fine condition.