While this is the first American edition of the New Hieroglyphical Bible, it is not the first American hieroglyphical bible. Boston publisher Isaiah Thomas printed A Curious Hieroglyphick Bible in 1788 (also in the Hamilton collection). These are both copies of English editions, the first of which was printed in London by Thomas Hodgson in 1780. So far, no one has found a copy of that book.
You might also call it a rebus bible, as pictures are substituted for words. There is a key at the bottom of each page in case you cannot guess what a picture represents. Meant primarily for children, the book was used to teach reading while at the same time, give religious instruction.
Our Boston edition is “recommended” by its original author, the English minister Rowland Hill A.M. (1744-1833), who wrote a number of children’s books including A Collection of Psalms and Hymns (London : Printed by A. Paris, 1798). Rare Books (Ex) 3693.7.319. The popular English preacher is more often remembered for his early support of the small-pox vaccination than his books. For more about Hill see: V.J. Charlesworth, Rowland Hill: His Life, Anecdotes and Pulpit Sayings (London, 1879)
