In God We Trust: Early Bible Printings and Founding Documents from the David M. Rubenstein Americana Collection
in collaboration with The Society of The Four Arts
On view November 14th, 2020 - February 28, 2021
In God We Trust: Early Bible Printings and Founding Documents from the David M. Rubenstein Americana Collection is an extraordinary exhibition of historic American Bibles and religious texts, many of which have rarely been displayed.
The exhibition features 18 books from the Americana Collection of Mr. Rubenstein, a prominent American businessman and philanthropist. Organized by the New-York Historical Society in collaboration with Mr. Rubenstein’s library consultant, In God We Trust presents the stories of these books and the ingenuity and diversity of the early Americans who made them.
Books are among the most important evidence of what citizens of a particular nation find meaningful to them. In the early decades of the American colonies, it was the Bibles and other sacred works printed, sold, and purchased by settlers that were treasured above all. In God We Trust is at once the story of these first American printed books and the tremendous will of the early Americans who produced them. The exhibition’s centerpiece, “The Bay Psalm Book,” was America’s first book, produced by English settlers who brought a printing press across the ocean to be able to print in their new land. In God We Trust is a story of American diversity, with examples of Bibles printed in what is now the U.S. in a variety of languages such as English, German, Hebrew, and Algonquian, reflecting the range of religious denominations present in America from early on. The exhibition also tells the story of unique American traditions, like the use of a Bible for presidents to swear the oath of office on Inauguration Day, and of the nation’s evolution towards greater inclusivity, with the first Bibles printed and translated by women.
Presented in beautiful custom-built display cases, the books are accompanied by rich narratives about their writers, printers, bookbinders, and publishers. Visitors to the exhibition will also enjoy listening to music from one of the books. This is hymn music, recorded by students from Palm Beach Atlantic University’s School of Music & Fine Arts, from the first American book of music printed from type.
The exhibition includes displays about letterpress printing and the art of bookmaking created by IS Projects, a public access printmaking and book arts studio in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Our Collaboration
Book Binding Process Display Cases
IS Projects created display cases in the exhibition showcasing the different stages of the binding process: Paper Prep, Sewing, Backing and Finishing. Each display case features various tools, materials and descriptive texts for the audience. The 360 video below offers you an opportunity to virtually preview the exhibition and layout, including our four major display cases. The center of the room displays antique books in glass vitrines with accompanying descriptions.
Process Video
Additionally, IS Projects collaborated with videographer, Johnny Zhang, to create a process video showing the entire binding process. The book bound in the video is on display for attendees in the final ‘Finishing’ display case. Below is a short preview of the video on display and a series of stills taken from the film.
Handset Letterpress Cards
IS Projects created a letterpress playbill with information on the exhibition using handset antique lead type and ornaments from our collection. Attendees are invited to take a playbill (while supplies last) and view the lock-up of type alongside our 5x8" Kelsey Excelsior Model P circa 1965 on display.
For more information, check out our blog post Collaborations: Society of the Four Arts x IS Projects >>
