Interesting Bible Collection Now on Exhibition at Widener

A most interesting collection of Bibles will be on exhibition in the Treasure Room of Widener Library today and tomorrow. These Bibles are arranged on two tables in chronological order, and illustrate the development of translation into English from the original sources.

The University does not possess an original of Tyndale's translation, which was the first Bible to be printed in English, nor one of Wycliffe's manuscripts, whose translation was really the first, but there are facsimiles of Tyndale's translation, and text editions of Wycliffe's work. There are many copies of the Geneva Bible, which was the Puritans' testament, since a great many were brought to America.

The oldest original in this collection is a copy of Coverdale's translation printed in parallel columns with the Latin version of Erasmus. This work was printed in 1538. There is also an original copy of the King James Version of 1611, known as the Authorized Version, which has probably the greatest interest for people of today, since it is a first edition of the Bible which is now in common use.

Among the Bibles which contain amusing mistakes in printing is one where in the sixth chapter of the Gospel of St. John the word Judas is substituted for Jesus. This book is very valuable. The exhibition will be open to the public.