Leaf from first edition of the Eliot Indian Bible, printed 1663. 7.5" x 5.75". Loosely inserted in pamphlet containing facsimile title, a history of this edition of the Bible, and a certificate of authenticity from the Bible Museum. ********** Leaf from the first Bible printed in America and translated into the Indian language by John Eliot. In 1646, Eliot began missionary work among the Massachusett Indian people and he became proficient in the Natick language. Eliot undertook a phonetic translation of the Bible into Natick – a language which had not previously existed in a written form. The type font required extra examples of the letters "k" and "q", as well as a new character that Eliot devised.The present leaf is from Paul's epistle to the Romans, and contains half of chapter 9, all of 10, and most of 11.

Leave toned and soiled.