Text: Edgar Allan Poe (?), Literary, Broadway Journal (New York), August 16, 1845, vol. 2, no. 6, p. ???, col. ?

[page 89, column 2, continued:]

Harpers’ Illuminated and Pictorial Bible. No. 35.

This number brings the work as far as the Thirteenth Chapter of Zechariah. There are three large and thirty-seven small designs, independently of the Initial Letters. The small cuts are without exception excellent, and many of them are not only admirable as mere specimens of wood engraving, but, as designs, belong to the highest class of art. We would refer especially to those illustrating verse 3 of the 3d Chapter of Nahum — verse 10 of the 3d Chapter of Habbakuk — verse 4 of the 2d Chapter of Zephaniah — verse 1 of the 6th; verse 13 of the 7th; and verse 2d of the 10th Chapter of Zechariah. The heads of the Prophets are full of force and character.

There is evidently no falling off in any portion of this enterprise.

Lest there be any one of our readers unacquainted with its whole scope, we state that this Bible is printed from the Standard Copy of the American Bible Society, and contains (or will contain) Marginal References, the Apocrypha, a Concordance, Chronological Table, List of Proper Names, Index, Table of Weights, Measures, &c. The large Frontispieces, Titles to the Old and New Testaments, Family Record, Presentation Plate, Historical Illustrations, Initial Letters, Ornamental Borders, &c., are from original designs by Chapman; but, in addition, there will be numerous large engravings from designs by distinguished foreign artists — sixteen hundred engravings in all — exclusive of initial letters. The engraver is Adams. As there are no notes or comments upon the text, (which is the authorised version) there can be no objection to the edition on the score of sectarian prejudice, or opinion. Upon the whole it is the most magnificent Bible ever put to press.