Bunker Hill battle Bible valued at $80,000 ahead of April sale

A pocket King James Bible carried at the Battle of Bunker Hill is to auction at Bonhams London.

The book, which is valued at $50,000-80,000, is among the highlights of the Treasures from the Caren Collection Part II sale on April 11 in New York.

Bunker Hill bible
The Bible was carried by an American soldier from the Ipswich militia

Its owner, Sergeant Francis Merrifield, was a former soldier in the French and Indian War and joined the Ipswich militia in the early days of the revolution.   

Bunker Hill was one of the earliest engagements of the revolutionary war. It was fought on the outskirts of Boston on June 17, 1775 and resulted in a British victory, although they suffered enormous losses.

It's inscribed (sic): "Cambridge, Jun 17 1775. I desire to bless God for his Kind aperince in delivering me and sparing my life in the late battle fought on Bunker's Hill.

"I desire to devote this spared life to His glory and honour. In witness my hand, Francis Merrifield".

There is also an inscription in the reverse of the book that reads (sic): "1775. Cambridge, June 17th. A batel fought on bunkers hill, on Saterday in the afternoon, which lasted an hour and a quarter, two men were wounded, and a ... the number of my gun, one hundred eighty three, 183, the seventeenth Rigement, 17."

The Caren Collection, compiled by Eric C Caren, is one of the most important archives of historical documents in the US. The first part of the sale took place at Swann Auction Galleries in 2011.

We have a fascinating selection of books and manuscripts for sale, why not take a look?

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