In 1957 my grandmother gave her first husband this Bible.
It was made in 1932 by the A.J. Holman Co. in Philadelphia.
After his death, this Bible stayed with the family and has now been passed to me.
It’s a beautiful old Bible and easily 4 inches thick!
The first third of the book is Masonic history and degree work for both Scottish and York Rites. It’s heavily illustrated and contains both Old and New Testaments.
I have no intention of ever selling it but I would like to know more about it.
I thought this would be a good place to start asking.
Maybe this is or was a common Bible?
Any information would be greatly appreciated.

I apologize for the quality of the pictures.
...a photographer I’m not.

Here’s a link to the photo album:

Masonic Bible

Dave,

Thank you very much for this inquiry and the pictures.

Holman is the largest publisher of Masonic Bibles, and they have been doing it for a long time. They supply many different editions, including large standard bibles with full-page color pictures which are used by lodges and other masonic bodies on their altars; Scottish Rite and York Rite small-format editions for presentation to new initiates, slightly larger and fuller editions for Lodges for presentation to newly-raised members, and more.

I myself have four such bibles: My grandfather’s, my father’s, and my own Scottish Rite bibles, presented in 1927, 1947 and 1965 respectively, all by Harrisburg Consistory SPRS and are virtually identical except for the size (the oldest is slightly smaller); and the one presented to me on being anointed a High Priest by the MD Council of Anointed High Priests in 1977, this being a special York Rite edition with a representation of the High Priest’s jewel stamped in gold on the cover.

What you describe as rituals in the front section are not actually the texts of the rituals as such, but rather the passages of the Bible which are contained in or which are applicable to the various ritual degrees. A Lodge bible contains only those applicable to the three Lodge degrees; a Scottish Rite edition contains these plus the passages for each of the Scottish Rite degrees; a York Rite edition contains the passages for the York Rite degrees.

From its size, from a page headed Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite - Fourth Degree, and from the beautiful plate showing the prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the Temple, as well as your own description, I take it that yours is a very special edition in extra-large format containing the material for both the Scottish and York Rite editions. While I have seen many Holman bibles, I have never seen one like this—it is very special, and you are very fortunate to have inherited it.

We have corresponded before on the Forum recently I hope that you are giving consideration to becoming one of us. If you do, you will have an even greater appreciation of this treasure which you have.

Again, sincere thanks for letting us see part of this beautiful Bible.

BOB YOUNG

Bob,

I apologize for not responding right away.
I’ve been a little under the weather the past few days.

I was very happy to hear what you had to say about my Bible.
Although, to be honest, I wasn’t terribly surprised.
My Grandmother was never one for doing things half way..haha
It’s starting to show its’ age, so I thought I’d seek out a specialist in old books to see if I could restore some of the damage and avoid any further deterioration.

As for petitioning for my own membership…
I’m going to take the advice of another forum member here and make contact with my local lodge before they go dark for the summer and make a formal petition this fall..
wish me luck..

-David Adkins

Good for you, Dave. It will be great to have you in the Fraternity.  As for restoring your Bible, expect it to be expensive. I have three 19th century family bibles, one of which has entries starting with the marriage of my great-great-great-grandfather in 1833, although I don’t think the bible is that old. I think the records of the first three generations were all written at the same time around 1864 by someone not in the family (maybe their pastor), as the entries are in English and all in the same hand, and my grandfather (b. 1882) was the first person in the family to speak and write English. Also the bible is in English. Tucked in this bible is part of a German newspaper obituary page which not only has my g-g grandfather’s obituary (he died at the age of 29) but also the obits of two Civil War soldiers which are fascinating. At any rate, this Bible and the other two are losing their covers and bindings. The pages are OK, but the bindings are in very bad state and falling off, and I’ve been told it will be hundreds of dollars to do any one of them. I wish I could afford to have them re-bound, but I can’t. Maybe one of my sons can attend to them.