The Bay Psalm Book, the first book ever printed in British North America, achieved a landmark sale at Sotheby’s auction house in New York, fetching an extraordinary $14.2 million. This historic sale marks the Bay Psalm Book as the most expensive printed book in the world. Printed in 1640 by Puritan settlers in Massachusetts, the Bay Psalm Book holds immense cultural and historical significance as the earliest known book printed in what would become the United States. Only 11 copies of this rare book are known to exist today. Making it one of the most coveted artifacts of early American history.
The auction attracted intense bidding interest from collectors and institutions worldwide. The final hammer price of $14.2 million (8.8 million) far exceeded initial estimates and underscored the book’s unparalleled rarity and importance. The Bay Psalm Book’s sale set a new benchmark for the value of early printed works. And highlighted the enduring fascination with America’s colonial heritage. The Bay Psalm Book is a metrical Psalter, a translation of the biblical Psalms into English verse intended for congregational singing. Its production in 1640 reflects the religious and cultural priorities of the early Puritan settlers. Who sought to create a distinctly American religious identity through print. Click the video link below and learn more about the book.
Quote for Today:
This too shall pass. By Persian Adage.
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