Save the date for the 400th birthday party of the King James English translation of the Bible, first published on May 5, 1611, and widely considered to be one of the most influential shapers of English language, literature, and culture. Thomas Nelson, the world’s leading publisher of King James Version (KJV) Bibles, and Oxford University Press, whose Bible publishing dates back to the original’s era, are among the shindig planners.
Thomas Nelson kicks off a 400-day celebration beginning in November, when it launches a celebratory Web site. It is partnering with The History Channel Club, The History Channel Magazine, and Salem Communications to reach history buffs and to expand its Christian audience by tapping other media. Highlights of its KJV commemorative line include the 400th anniversary edition of the 1611 KJV Bible, with period spellings and punctuation, an offer from the History Channel Club, and an historical booklet. The line also includes study and family Bibles; paired 1611 KJV and NKJV editions; and Majestie: The King Behind the King James Bible by David Teems (Oct. 2010), a biography of both the man and his Bible. Gary Davidson, senior v-p and Bible group publisher at Thomas Nelson, won’t put a figure to the marketing budget for the celebration but calls it “a pretty major budget.”
Oxford University Press is poised to take advantage of a long list of university-based King James celebrations from Baylor to Purdue. Oxford is positioning its KJV products for the 2010 Christmas buying season, including a King James Bible 400th Anniversary Edition, a limited gift edition of the 1611 text featuring an afterword by Renaissance studies expert Gordon Campbell and preserving authentic typographical errors.
