This listing is for a rare and very uncommon printing of an early American Bible. If you follow the lengthy description through entirely and read the details you will understand the asking price! There were two separate Bible printers/ publishers involved in the making of this Bible. Mentz was primarily a printer of German Bibles and books in Philadelphia. Among the most iconic early Bible printers was Mathew Carey, he was an apprentice of Benjamin Franklin himself! Matthew Carey printed and published the first Douay Reims Catholic Bible in America! A very valuable Bible! Matthew Carey printed and published his 12 mo “school Bible” from 1802 until 1818 after purchasing the standing type for that Bible from William Young. William Young printed THE FIRST “school” Bible in America! In one of the photos you will find a portion of the listing from Margaret Hills Catalog that explains the 1818 12mo Bible’s unique difference from Carey’s other 12mo Bibles. There was a certain colonial style type font that was used primarily until about 1805 (the Long S). Matthew Carey printed many 12mo Bibles, to the point of wearing out the letters, that would occasionally need to be replaced. Mathew Carey suffered from mental depression and had a particularly difficult time, especially in 1818. It could be supposed that publishing a Bible that did not agree with his high standards May well have contributed to causing him to stop the publication of this Bible. The 1826 and 1827 Mentz 12mo Bible was never listed in Hills catalog as having ever existed (only the 1830 is listed in Hills). It is not unheard of to have a Bible not listed in Hills, but two years back to back unlisted in Hills makes the Bible’s exceedingly rare indeed! Rarity alone does not equate to value often among bibles, but printing history in early America does. The Last PRINTED Long S Bible or book in America was printed by W. Greenough and Son in 1826 (a Recent Discovery that has since been entered in the American Antiquarian Society)…. But the LAST Long S Bible or book was PUBLISHED in America in 1830 by George W Mentz. There are apparently two 1827s, and only one 1830 in holding known worldwide! There is only one 1826 George W Mentz 12mo in private hands known and none others listed worldwide! The 1826 was originally owned by a Revolutionary War Minuteman and passed down to one of his sons shortly before his death in 1838. As to condition of this Bible being offered, the 1827 has cosmetic issues (the leather is split on the spine and a crack on the front board hinge) please review all photos and ask any questions before making an offer. This Bible is COMPLETE TEXTUALLY. Link for Margaret Hills Catalog. Please See Pictures To Determine Item Condition, Item In Pictures Is The Item You Will Receive. Any Questions Please Ask, Thank You For Viewing My Items.