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Found in the Early Printings of Protestant Bibles, including the King James Version and Book of Common Prayer.

The very thought of creating and honoring graven Images of men, quickly sends modern Protestants in to a fit of accusations of such things as "Idolatry" and "Paganism". The very idea of having "graven images" of Saints even remotely connected to or used in public worship would send most Protestants today into a virtual seizure of fear and panic.

Today's Protestants fail to realize that their very own Bibles have had a long history of placing similar images among the the pages of there scriptures, a location of the highest respect and honor. For instance the Bishops Bible of 1577 had about 123 engravings in it. These "Graven Images" of saints were also placed by the English speaking Protestant in there books of worship, for example in the Book of Common Prayer [Printed as part of the early editions of the KJV]. The Book of Common Prayer is the official book of public liturgical worship for the Church of England. further bellow are some examples from early printings of the King James Version.

The early editions of the King James Version took the honor bestowed upon Mary and the saints one step further, not only honoring them in songs during their worship services, but actually Had a liturgical calendar declaring certain days to be holy days in their honor. Not festivals, not holidays, but HOLYdays. In the 1611 KJV many saints were specifically honored with their own individual Holyday. For example, the feast of S. Philip, S. Matthias, S. Peter, S. James, and S. Bartholomew. Additional saints would be S. John the Baptist, S. Stephen the Martyr, S. Michael the Archangel, and not to mention the Holy Innocents and Saint John the Evangelist. In the Calendar/Almanac [found in the 1611] we find many Saints who are not mentioned in the Bible are honored with special feast days. These scans of the calendars for the months of May, June, July, Aug, Sept., and Oct. All of these leafs were printed by Robert Barker at London, England in 1613.

The Fact that these calendars were a officially sanctioned part of The King James Bible is shown by the King's own approval of it: "As for the Saints departed, I honor their memory, and in honor of them do we in our Church observe the days of so many of them as the Scripture doth canonize for saints" [From A Premonition to All Most Mighty Monarchs, Kings, Free Princes, and States of Christendom Works, ed. James Montague, Bp. of Winchester (1616), pp. 301-308.]

1526 Tyndale Bible

The Pictures to the left are the title Page of the New Testament and the first page of the gospel of Matthew from 1526 printing of the Tyndale Bible. In the New Testament title page Pictures we can see woodcut depicting all of the apostles, including St. Peter and St. Paul. On the first page of the gospel of Matthew we see woodcut depicting S. Matthew writing his Gospel.

The Picture to the right is of Pentecost, it shows all of the apostles surrounding Mary who sits on a sort of throne.

1526 Tyndale Bible

1535 Coverdale Bible

These Pictures are from the title Page of the 1535 Coverdale Bible. In The Pictures we can see woodcut depicting Adam and eve, a angel, Christ resurrected. Further down we see Moses receiving the ten commandments, [which included "thou shall not make unto thee any graven image"], Christ Teaching the apostles, Peter teaching the crowd on Pentecost, King David, and the Apostle Paul

1549 Matthews Bible

These Pictures are from the title Page of the New Testament from 1549 Printing of the Matthews Bible. In The Pictures we can see woodcut depicting S. Matthew S. Mark and S. Luke writing there Gospels, we can also see many angles. The page is torn and is missing the image of S. John

1549 Matthews Bible

This Illustration from the Bishops Bible (London, 1574), originally appearing at the beginning of the Gospel of Luke. This woodcut depicts S. Luke writing his Gospel. The Bishops Bible was a predecessor to the 1611 KJV.

S. Luke from the 1574 Bishops Bible

1578 Bishops Bible

These Graven Illustrations are from the Bishops Bible (London, 1578). The one on the right depicts Moses and other persons and events from the book of Numbers. The image on the left shows likenesses of six of the prophets.

1578 Bishops Bible

1591 Geneva Title Page

This is the title Page the 1591 of the Geneva Bible printed at Cambridge university. Note the ornate graven images, which includes two Angles.

This is the title Page of the New Testament of the 1608 printing of the Geneva Bible. Note all of the woodcuts [graven images] of Saints.

We can see a lot of images of Saints such as Peter, Andrewe, .Iames, Iohn, Philip, Bartholo, Mathew, Mark, Luke, Thomas, Ivde Simon and Mattnias [note: spelling is as found on the leaf]

In this woodcut we see St. Peter is holding the keys of authority, a reference to Mat. 16:18-19.

1608 Geneva Title Page

1611 KJV Title Page

This is the title page of the Old and New Testaments it is from a original printing of the 1611 King James Version. Note all of the woodcuts [graven images] of men. We can see Moses holding the ten commandments, which protestants hold included "thou shall not make unto thee any graven image". We also can see Aaron and all of the apostles, including St. Peter and St. Paul.

It is interesting to note that in this woodcut St. Peter is holding the keys of authority, a reference to Mat. 16:18-19.

The 1611 printing of the King James Version was a humongous 16" x 10.5" x 5" and weighed 16 pounds. This was a "Pulpit" edition, this means that this Bible [and its Graven images] were printed for the use of the minister during public worship at Church.

This is the title page of the New Testaments it is from a original printing of the 1612 King James Version. Note all of the woodcuts [graven images] of Saints. This page is very similar to the one in the Geneva Bible.

We can see a lot of images of Saints such as Peter, Andrewe, .Iames, Iohn, Philip, Bartholo, Mathew, Mark, Luke, Thomas, Ivde Simon and Mattnias [note: spelling is as found on the leaf]

again in this woodcut we see St. Peter is holding the keys of authority, a reference to Mat. 16:18-19.

1612 Title Page

1629 KJV

This is the title page of the 1629 King James Version printed by Thomas and John Buck, printers to the University of Cambridge. The first edition of the King James Version printed at Cambridge and also was the first complete revision of the KJV text. We can graven images of Moses holding the ten commandments, We can see King David playing his harp. On the bottom we can see the four gospel writers Mathew Mark Luke and John.

1634 KJV

This is an Octavo edition of the King James Version Holy Bible. It was printed in London by Robert Barker and the affigns of John Bill in the year of our Lord 1634. The image to the right is of the last supper, depicting Christ and the apostles. To the left we have a graven image of Christ Teaching his apostles.

1634 KJV

This scan is of the Title page of the 1638 King James Version printed by Thomas Buck and Roger Daniel, printers to the University of Cambridge. This begins with the Book of Common Prayer. We can hand colored graven images of Moses holding the ten commandments, We can see King David playing his harp. On the bottom we can see the four gospel writers Mathew Mark Luke and John.

1638 KJV

1648 KJV

This is the general title page of the 1648 King James Version [Quarto, 9" x 7"] printed in London by Miles Flesher for Nicholas Fussell. We can graven images of Moses holding the ten commandments, We can see Aaron [who is using incense, a act of worship]. In the corners we can see the four gospel writers Mathew Mark Luke and John.

This next image is of the title page of the 1660 printing of the King James Version. It is truly a spectacular example of graven images in the early KJVs. this image depicts Christ the king (with out a beard) sitting on a the judgment seat, surrounded by the saints and Old Testament patriarchs. Above Christ's head we see see Moses holding the ten commandments, which protestants hold included "thou shall not make unto thee any graven image". We also can see Aaron, King David (with his harp) and two of the prophets.

1660 KJV

Mary and Joseph

These are original leafs (pages) from The King James Version. One of the first Bible printed after the Restoration of King Charles the 2nd in 1660. Showing pictures honoring such special Saints as Mary and Joseph.

S.Philip

These next two images are from the 1662 English Book of Common Prayer, it was printed and bound as part of the King James Version. Thay show S.Philip and S.Thomas.

The Book of Common Prayer is the first book, comprising all the offices of the Church of England and its forms of private devotion, which was established as a complete liturgy by the ad of the state. All previous forms of worship had been promulgated by ecclesiastical authority alone, and had no binding force in the law of the state; but this book was enacted as the only legal form of public worship by a Parliament of the Commons and Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Crown. Although it was first prepared by the clergy, it was necessarily so framed as to stand the test of legislative debate and meet the approval of the people by their representatives in Parliament; and the legal validity of its use rests solely upon the authority of the act of Parliament.

S.Thomas

Mary, S. Elizabeth, and S. Jofeph

This scan is from the 1678 printing of the King James Version. It contains images of Mary, S. Elizabeth, and S. Jofeph [Joseph].

It is important to note that the KJV 1678 refers to Mary as the "Bleffed Virgin" ["Blessed Virgin"].

This Graven image is from the opining page 1683 KJV and printed in London, England , We can again see Moses holding the ten commandments, We can see Aaron [who is using incense, a act of worship].

1683 KJV

1701 KJV, The General title page.

The Holy Bible printed at Oxford by the University's Printers in 1701. Scarce Edition. This is a large Elephant Folio Bible measuring about 12" X 18" X 3 1/2"!! Also called a Pulpit Folio Bible as it was the type the Minister used in that day. It has large print. There are beautiful engraved titles as well as printed to each Testament.

The general title has an image Angles of the Ark of the Covenant with the Crucifixion Scene in the background.

The title page of the New Testament shows a Angle inspiring one of the apostles to write the his gospel.

1701 KJV, The title page of the New Testament.

1710 Book of Common Prayer

This scan is of the title page of the 1710 Book of Common Prayer, it depicts people entering a Church to worship, and we can see statues of saint decorating the roof of the Church.

This Graven image is from the opining page of the book of Geniuses in the 1715 printing of the KJV. in it we see Christ, the Holy Ghost [a Dove] several angles, We can see Moses again holding the ten commandments, We also can see Aaron [who is using incense, a act of worship], Mathew, Mark, Luke and John all in what appears to be a Church [house of worship].

1715 KJV

Christ ascending in to heaven

These plates the one on the left shows the "Christ ascending in to heaven" and includes the images of the apostles and Mary. the one on the right depicts S. Simon. These images are from the 1726 printing of the The Book of Common Prayer, the title page of this edition says:

�The Book of Common Prayer, And Administration of the Sacraments, And other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, According to the Ufe of the Church of England; Together with the Pfalter or Pfamls of David, Pointed as they are to be Sung or Said in Churches. London, Printed by John Baskett, Printer to the Kings moft Excellent Majesty, and by the Affigns of Henry Hills, deceas�d. 1726. Cum Privilegio. Price One Shilling, Unbound.�

S. Simon

Mary, Joseph, a Angle, and the child Jesus. a Angle, and the child Jesus.

"THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER" Printed in Cambridge by Joseph Bentham. 1757. Octavo (8vo) Measures 7" x 4.5". THIS EDITION WAS ILLUSTRATED WITH FIFTY-FIVE (55) INCREDIBLE HAND-COLORED FULL PAGE ENGRAVINGS THROUGHOUT! All engravings are hand-colored with a Many of them are Illuminated with Real Gold!

St. Matthew

St. Mark

John The Baptist and Christ

1774 printing of the Book of Common Prayer, printed in Oxford. 12 mo size (15x9cm), this printing was embellished with many fine full page copper engravings. this one depicts St. John the Baptist and Christ.

This Graven image is from the 1780 Book of common Prayer, it depicts the nativity, see a beautiful image of Mary, Joseph, and the child Jesus.

1780 Book of Common Prayer

"Holy Family"

This Image is from the 1788 KJV Printed by Pearson & Rollason of London, it depicts the "Holy Family" showing Mary, Joseph, and the child Jesus.

The Prophet Daniel

The 1793 printing of the King James version [Published by Zachariah Jackson at Dublin, Ireland] Had this beautiful images such as this one of the prophet Daniel and this one of St. Peter and the Angle. This edition contained over fifty original engravings illustrating the various Saints and transactions recorded in the sacred writings in Genesis, to the end of Revelations. This is a edition was very large measuring 17" tall and 3 1/4" Thick, and was known as a "Elephant Folio".

St. Peter and The Angle

Mary, Joseph, a Angle, and the child Jesus. a Angle, and the child Jesus.

These hand-colored illuminations are from the The 1838 Book of Common Prayer,

To the left we can see a beautiful image of Mary, Joseph, a Angle, and the child Jesus. To the right we can see a wonderful image of King David, and Three Angles

The title page to this lovely and rare edition of the Book of Common Prayer reads "The Book of Common Prayer, and Administration of the Sacraments, and other Rites and Ceremonies of the Church, according to the Use of the United Church of England and Ireland: together with the Psalter, or Psalms of David. With Notes and Illuminated Plates. London: Published by Whittaker and Co., Ave-Maria-Lane. MDCCCXXXVIII

Many editions of the Book of Common Prayer have passed through my hands, but I have rarely seen one with this kind of beauty. It had many hand-colored illuminations that are exquisitely done

King David, and Three Angles

"The Nativity"

these images are from the 1838 printing of the Book of Common Prayer, Published in London by Allan Bell, & Co. The one on the left depicts "The Nativity" and includes Mary, Joseph, and the child Jesus. The one on the right is the title page of this edition, it depicts Christ, we can also see Moses again holding the ten commandments, We also can see Aaron all in what appears to be a Church [house of worship] setting. the on the side shows a Angle inspiring on the gospel writers.

The Title Page showing Christ, Moses, Aaron, and a Angle

By 1879 the number of graven images in the KJV had multiplied to the point that some editions such as the one printed by The Richardson Co. of Boston advertised on there opening page " 2,000 Illustrations ".

This scan is of the Title page of the 1646 King James Version Printed by the Company of Stationers, in London. This is a rare old pocket size bible. The Title page shows a wonderful image of King David playing his harp. You can also see that this edition had two color (Black and red) Printing.
	1946 KJV