Bible as Traditional Wedding Gift?

[marypryde]

Just throwing this out to find if there's any tradition attached to it. I was recently bequeathed by a distant relative a lovely 2-volume Bible that belonged to my great-great grandparents who lived in Dalserf, Lanarkshire. The volumes are about 4x6 inches, leather bound, gold-leafed edges and it is the "New Polyglott Bible" published in 1851 by "Glasgow: W.R. McPhun." There is a bookplate which appears to be made of the same leather that says in gold lettering "J. & M. THOMSON, 1853."

Unfortunately, there is not a handwritten word in it, and I can't see how anyone could read the tiny print. The volumes are in excellent condition which tells me they were not much used. Since this couple was married in December 1853, I am wondering if it was a wedding gift and from whom. Does anyone know if there was a custom at that time and place that a newlywed couple should start off with a "decorative" Bible in the home? Would it have been someone's specific responsibility to provide such a gift?

Any insight would be welcome.
Mary

[WilmaM]

Yes it would be a fairly normal gift from the church when a couple was married.

My parents have one from their wedding in a baptist church
and I was given one when I was married, as I was leaving the fellowship to my husband's church.
Both are inscribed as such though.

Recently a neighbour was seen leaving the Parish church with a new bible after the wedding.

[Currie]

Hello Mary,

Here’s an Advert from the Dundee Courier, Wednesday, February 20, 1850. One fancy option for the New Polyglott Bible is described as “all that could be desired for a Gift of Friendship, Bridal Token, or Birthday present.”
http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad28 ... Bible2.jpg

Here’s the full advert with Press Opinions.
http://i944.photobucket.com/albums/ad28 ... Bible1.jpg

Mr McPhun advertised a number of other Bibles, and there may also have been other later variations of the Polyglott. If that advert doesn’t fit the bill let me know and I’ll have another look.

All the best,
Alan

[marypryde]

Wonderfully helpful! Thank you both. I haven't had reason to post on TS for some time, but as I hoped, two of the "usual suspects" who are so knowledgeable chimed in quickly with what I needed.

It may, indeed, have been a gift from the church, since they both spent their entire lives in Dalserf and are buried in the Dalserf churchyard. Now I'm off to investigate a new website on Mauldslie, since that is where the owner of the Bible was head gardener during their marriage.

[Currie]

From looking through the 19C newspapers it looks as though the term “Bridal Token” used in the Advert was invented by booksellers, possibly by Mr McPhun himself.

Alan

[spoonybroony]

Not sure if this any help but my mum held a bible rather than a bouquet when she got married in 1959. I am sure it would have been a brand new one unless it was the 'family bible', which has now reminded me I must ask her!

[Rockford]

Hi Mary,

The custom may not have died out completedly, as my wife and I were given a bible by my parents-in-law on our wedding day nine years ago. Unbeknown to us, her mum had arranged for the minister to use it during the service too, before it was given to us.

Thanks

Brian

[marypryde]

Thank you. Good to know the custom is not completely gone.
Mary