The Doves Press Bible

Genesis Opening — A Digital Recreation

Printed between 1902 and 1905, the Doves Press Bible is a cornerstone of the private press movement. Created by T.J. Cobden-Sanderson in collaboration with Emery Walker, it reflects a monastic vision of purity in design. Stripped of ornamentation, the Bible presents the King James text with unmatched typographic clarity. Its typeface—modeled on the 15th-century forms of Nicolas Jenson—was so treasured that Cobden-Sanderson famously cast the type only once and later consigned it to the Thames, ensuring its singular legacy.

The result is a Bible of silence and structure: each page a meditation on proportion, restraint, and the sanctity of the Word.

Artistic Intent

This recreation presents the first page of Genesis, echoing the solemn elegance of the original. The layout has been precisely reconstructed, from the grand red IN THE BEGINNING to the rhythmic alignment of text blocks. No decorative flourishes are added. The power lies in the purity—the interplay of space, weight, and type.

While the materials are digital, the spirit is devotional: a homage not just to Scripture, but to a masterpiece of book design where every decision served reverence.

Comparison: Original × Recreation

Bring This Piece Into Your Space

Available as a fine art print on:
🖼️ Fine Art America
🧲 Displate

Perfect for sacred spaces, libraries, or contemplative interiors.