Evidence of the Truth of the Christian Religion, Derived from the Literal Fulfilment of Prophecy, Rev. Alexander Keith — 8th Edition

Publication: Edinburgh, Waugh and Innes, 1832

Formatting: 8vo, pp. xiv, 452.

Condition Report Very Good. Bound in a handsome, contemporary full dark morocco leather, the book remains remarkably tight and square, displaying structural integrity uncommon for heavy, plate-filled octavos of this period. The exterior exhibits minor, expected shelf-wear, largely confined to light rubbing on the raised bands and slight scuffing along the joints, but the gilt-ruled frames and spine lettering remain relatively bright and legible. The text block is solid, retaining a brilliant, unoxidised all-edges-gilt finish. Internally, the leaves are bright with the occasional localised foxing predominantly constrained to the margins of the engraved plates and preliminaries. Importantly, the numerous folding plates remain crisp and correctly folded, free from the significant tearing or improper creasing frequently encountered in such editions. The delicate gilt dentelles on the inner boards are exceptionally well-preserved, securing a highly respectable grade.

Catalogue Note This elegant Eighth Edition of Reverend Alexander Keith’s influential apologetic work is distinguished by its fine contemporary dark morocco binding. The volume is heavily illustrated, boasting a comprehensive collation of six full-page engraved plates, including a frontispiece depicting the Ruins of Babylon after Sir Robert Ker Porter, alongside five folding plates, a folding map, and one text woodcut. The text is further elevated by intricate gilt tooling along the turn-ins and bright gilt page edges.

The front preliminary leaves display a faint offset of the author's printed name, "Alexander Keith", mirroring the inscription from the adjacent dedication page. While Keith’s work achieved immense popularity and was reprinted in numerous formats throughout the 19th century, complete copies surviving in well-appointed contemporary bindings with all delicate folding plates intact are highly sought after and increasingly uncommon on the open market. 

First published in the early 19th century, Evidence of the Truth of the Christian Religion became one of the most successful and widely read apologetic works of the Victorian era. Motivated to counter prevailing skepticism, Reverend Alexander Keith sought to establish a continuous, visible proof of Christian truth through the literal fulfillment of biblical prophecy. By meticulously analyzing the history of the Jewish people and synthesizing the archaeological discoveries of contemporary Middle Eastern travelers, Keith presented the desolate ruins of ancient cities—such as Babylon, Tyre, and Petra—as undeniable, physical evidence of scriptural accuracy. Engaging, historically rich, and deeply influential, this text remains a fascinating intersection of theology, ancient history, and early 19th-century exploration.