The Wicked Bible: Collectors and Their Cursed Books Through History

The Wicked Bible is a rare 1631 edition of the King James Bible infamous for a misprint that commands, “Thou shalt commit adultery,” making it one of history’s most notorious printing errors. Published by Robert Barker and Martin Lucas, this Bible’s single omitted word transformed it from a standard religious text to a collectible curiosity associated with scandal and controversy.

Collectors are drawn to the Wicked Bible not only for its rarity but also for the intriguing story behind its creation and subsequent recall. Its accidental “curse” has given it a legendary status among misprinted books, attracting attention from historians and enthusiasts alike who seek out unusual or flawed editions.

The History of the Wicked Bible

The Wicked Bible, printed in 1631, stands out in publishing history due to a notorious misprint concerning the Ten Commandments. Its origins, the consequences for its printers, and the immediate public response reveal the importance of precision in biblical texts.

Origins and Publication

Robert Barker and Martin Lucas, official printers in London, produced the Wicked Bible as part of their work disseminating the King James Version. Their intent was to provide an accessible edition for English readers, consistent with their reputations as reputable Bible printers.

The 1631 edition included the complete books of Genesis and Exodus with all standard chapters. Like other Bibles of that time, it featured the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20.

Printed for widespread distribution, this Bible would have reached thousands. The involvement of two prominent printers meant royal oversight was strict, emphasizing the Bible’s role in shaping English religious life.

Printing Error and Its Aftermath

A single error in the printing process changed the text of the Seventh Commandment. Instead of, "Thou shalt not commit adultery," the word "not" was omitted, resulting in "Thou shalt commit adultery."

The consequences were immediate and severe for Barker and Lucas. English authorities fined them £300, a considerable sum then. Their printing license was revoked, damaging their careers.

Many copies were quickly collected and destroyed. Only a few survived, making complete editions extremely rare. This misprint was not just a typographical error—it was seen as a moral failing with indescribable consequences for the sanctity of biblical law.

Controversy and Immediate Reactions

The publication shocked the religious community and the public. Clergy warned that the Bible’s error could lead to misunderstanding the commandments and undermine moral teachings.

King Charles I and Archbishop of Canterbury demanded the Bible’s recall. The printers faced a court of the Star Chamber. The punishment was public, aiming to deter future carelessness in religious publishing.

Some called it "The Adulterous Bible" or "The Sinners' Bible." The incident inspired debates about printer responsibility, biblical authority, and violence against religious texts. The scandal cemented the Wicked Bible’s place in history as both a cautionary tale and a collector’s curiosity.

Notable Copies and Provenance

The Wicked Bible’s surviving copies offer a direct link to a notorious moment in publishing history. Tracing the books’ ownership reveals details about collectors, libraries, and the extraordinary journeys these rare volumes have taken.

Surviving Editions

Fewer than 10 verified copies of the Wicked Bible are known to exist today. This scarcity is due to an official order by King Charles I to destroy all copies after the printing error was discovered in 1631. Most extant copies are found within public institutions, while only a handful are privately owned.

Major libraries holding the Wicked Bible include the British Library in London and the New York Public Library. Other examples are securely held in notable university libraries. Surviving copies are typically incomplete or show damage, sometimes from attempts to obliterate the infamous verse in Exodus.

Rarity and notoriety make the Wicked Bible prized among collectors of rare books and religious artifacts. Copies sometimes appear in auction catalogues, where they are cataloged alongside other rare Bibles such as illuminated manuscripts or early translations concerning Jerusalem and Paradise.

Famous Owners and Collections

Several notable individuals and collections have included the Wicked Bible in their holdings. King Charles I himself was involved in the aftermath of its publication, but no evidence suggests royal ownership of a copy. The book has been part of famous private libraries, such as that of the Marquess of Bath at Longleat House.

Auction houses like Sotheby’s and Christie’s have handled sales of the Wicked Bible, sometimes attracting significant attention from bibliophiles and institutions. In recent sales, provenance records highlight prior collections and trace transfer histories.

Libraries possessing a copy sometimes display it with other rare religious texts, like prayer books and Bibles dedicated to the themes of Jerusalem or Paradise. These acquisitions underscore the book's consistent appeal to serious collectors and historians interested in the history of printing and biblical literature.

Collectors of the Wicked Bible

Collectors continue to seek out the 1631 Wicked Bible for its unusual printing error and unique place in religious publishing history. The book’s infamy, scarcity, and the mystique surrounding its supposed “curse” have helped it achieve a special status among rare volumes.

What Attracts Collectors to Cursed Books

The Wicked Bible draws attention due to its notorious misprint: omitting “not” from the commandment “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” This simple error transformed a measure of faith into a subject of historical drama, making the book infamous among collectors.

Many collectors are drawn by the story of its publication and the dramatic aftermath. The printers, Robert Barker and Martin Lucas, faced heavy fines and the destruction of nearly all copies, adding to the rarity and legend of the volume.

Owning a copy allows collectors to investigate a moment where light was cast on the fallibility of early printing. For some, the sense of handling a book with a so-called “curse” heightens the aura and desirability of the item.

Rare Book Auctions and Valuations

Wicked Bibles seldom appear at auction, and when they do, their value can reach significant sums. The rarity—fewer than 20 known copies—makes authentic editions highly sought after.

Auction houses often highlight the book’s historical and theological significance. Provenance, condition, and completeness of the volume are important criteria affecting value.

Recent sales have seen prices exceeding tens of thousands of dollars. Some copies are housed in institutional collections, such as the Museum of the Bible, while others remain in private hands, fueling ongoing interest from serious collectors and investors.

Cursed Books: Myths and Realities

Belief in cursed books has fueled centuries of speculation, intrigue, and caution among collectors. Tales of mysterious suffering, unexplained misfortune, and legendary texts like the Wicked Bible continue to pose important questions.

Superstitions and Folklore

Throughout history, books have been blamed for division and disaster—especially when they contain religious or heretical material. In Europe, stories spread about grimoires and forbidden tomes causing horror or doom for readers. Some believed that simply touching certain manuscripts could invoke a curse.

Folklore often linked books with supernatural events. A Bible with a handwritten curse, for instance, was said to bring suffering to any thief or desecrator. Other stories told of occult spellbooks that supposedly inflicted lust, madness, or ill luck on their owners or their families.

Even in modern times, collectors sometimes attribute strange misfortunes to supposedly haunted or cursed books. These beliefs thrive especially when a book’s history is murky, its contents controversial, or its owner’s fate tragic.

Famous Stories of Misfortune

One of the most infamous cases is the Wicked Bible of 1631, where a printing error omitted the word "not" from the commandment against adultery. This caused a scandal at the time. Printers faced heavy fines, and their reputations suffered lasting damage.

Another example is the Codex Gigas, also called the "Devil’s Bible." Rumors abound regarding the suffering of owners and the horror depicted in its illustrations, particularly an ominous image of the devil facing the Kingdom of Heaven. Some say it brought division among monks and was considered an omen of disaster.

Legends about ill-fated manuscripts arise in online forums and collectors' circles as well. Although actual evidence of supernatural curses remains elusive, the enduring stories shape how rare and controversial books are valued, feared, and displayed.

The Impact of the Wicked Bible on Literature and Culture

The Wicked Bible left a distinct mark due to its infamous misprint of the Seventh Commandment, drawing attention from religious leaders, collectors, and literary scholars. Its error prompted real-world consequences in publishing standards and spurred debate about scripture’s role and interpretation in society.

Influence on Subsequent Religious Texts

The blunder in the Wicked Bible—omitting "not" from "Thou shalt not commit adultery"—prompted swift responses from both the early church and publishers. Church leaders, including bishops and theologians, demanded stricter proofreading of religious works. The incident set a precedent for increased oversight of Bible production, particularly for the King James Version and subsequent gospels in English.

This heightened scrutiny extended to bible commentary and discussion among scholars. Later editions often included critical notes explaining past errors and warning about the risk of textual corruption. Collectors and literary historians highlight the event when analyzing the transmission and preservation of Jewish and Christian texts.

Moral and Ethical Debates

The Wicked Bible gave rise to intense moral debates within both the church and wider society. Disciples and lay readers were disturbed by the apparent disregard for sacred doctrine, leading many to question the infallibility of printed scripture. The controversy also fueled discussions among Jews and Christians about the authority and interpretation of holy texts.

Some used the mistake as a platform for discussions about publishing ethics, arguing for greater responsibility among printers. Others debated whether the incident demonstrated the need for deeper engagement with scripture, beyond literal readings. These debates contributed to ongoing conversations about the power and fallibility of religious literature in shaping moral values.

Religious Context and Repercussions

The Wicked Bible, with its infamous misprint, provoked strong reactions from religious authorities and readers alike. Its impact touched on both the credibility of printed scripture and broader discussions about divine inspiration and human error in Christian texts.

Perceptions in Christianity and Beyond

Christian leaders in the seventeenth century saw the Wicked Bible’s omission of “not” in “Thou shalt not commit adultery” as a serious threat to biblical authority. The error directly challenged the moral guidance expected from sacred texts.

Collectors today view the book as a rare curiosity, but many church officials at the time believed its publication was an affront to god and the integrity of the Bible. Some feared the misprint could weaken trust in scripture among worshippers.

Outside Christianity, reactions varied. Those in other faiths and secular readers sometimes saw the blunder as evidence of fallibility in Christian traditions. The incident sparked debates about the reliability of human transmission and editing of holy texts.

Theological Interpretations

Theological debates followed, focusing on divine inspiration versus human fallibility in the production of the Bible. The error raised questions: if scripture is inspired by the holy spirit, how could such a mistake happen?

Some theologians argued that the authority of the Bible remains intact because god’s message persists despite human mistakes. Others saw such incidents as reminders that humans, not angels, produce earthly editions.

The event intensified scrutiny of new translations and printings. In sermons and teachings, church leaders insisted that worship should center on the intended message of Jesus and the kingdom of god, rather than the occasional accidental misprint. The Wicked Bible became an example often referenced in later discussions about scripture’s preservation and trustworthiness.

Lessons from the Wicked Bible

The Wicked Bible incident remains a landmark case for both the book trade and collectors. Its history reveals how small errors can have lasting effects, shaping ethical standards and expectations for those who handle rare and valuable books.

The Importance of Accuracy in Publishing

Mistakes in publishing can quickly undermine the purity and trust that readers expect from important texts. In 1631, the Wicked Bible’s omission of the word “not” from the commandment against adultery changed the doctrine’s meaning and drew public outrage. The error exposed the boundaries between human fallibility and the expectation of incorruptible truth in religious scripture.

The printers, Robert Barker and Martin Lucas, were fined £300 for this error. The heavy penalty and the quick suppression of the edition highlight how seriously accuracy was regarded when it came to texts about salvation and moral conduct.

Today, accuracy remains a central value for publishers, printers, and editors. The Wicked Bible is a constant reminder that even minor mistakes can have wide-reaching, serious consequences for reputation, credibility, and religious or legal interpretations.

Modern Collecting Ethics

Collectors of rare books like the Wicked Bible frequently face ethical questions about ownership and trade. Issues such as proper documentation, provenance, and the handling of controversial or “cursed” items shape modern collecting practices. Transparent disclosures and respect for the boundaries set by cultural institutions have become expected within the rare book market.

Collectors are also expected to consider the purity of the historical record. For example, preserving a book’s original form without unauthorized alterations protects its value and context for future generations. Avoiding forgeries and reporting discoveries responsibly contribute to maintaining an incorruptible standard in the trade.

Institutions and serious collectors work to balance private ownership with the public interest, particularly when it comes to artifacts with significant social or historical meaning, such as the Wicked Bible. Each decision involves weighing personal gain against responsibility to historical accuracy and community ethics.

The Wicked Bible in Popular Culture

The Wicked Bible’s infamous misprint has made it a notable artifact not only among collectors but also within modern culture. Its story reflects both a cautionary tale for printers and a source of artistic and literary inspiration.

References in Films and Novels

The Wicked Bible has appeared in several works of fiction, where its infamous error often drives the plot or adds a layer of historical intrigue. For example, in crime and mystery novels, the misplaced "not" of the seventh commandment becomes a clue or a symbol of moral ambiguity.

Screenwriters and authors frequently depict the book as a cursed object, weaving it into storylines about forbidden knowledge or the dangers of human error. In some films, the artifact is shown as part of a larger collection of rare, problematic texts that threaten characters’ fortunes or beliefs.

Writers sometimes use the Wicked Bible's existence to establish their characters as scholars or collectors with a vision for uncovering rare finds. The book might symbolize the triumph of history’s quirks over editorial precision, demonstrating how a simple misprint can echo through centuries.

Artistic Interpretations

Artists have explored the themes surrounding the Wicked Bible in a variety of media. Exhibitions occasionally feature it alongside other infamous printing mishaps, using original pages or reproductions to highlight the consequences of typographical errors.

Some visual artists focus on the moment of the mistake, using the page with the omitted “not” as a central motif in paintings or installations. This approach emphasizes the fragility of human achievement and the fine line between vision and oversight.

Contemporary art projects sometimes reinterpret the Wicked Bible as a metaphor. For example, installations may use light or shadow to distort text, echoing the unintended consequences that made the book famous. Such interpretations help viewers consider the lasting impact of even small historical events.