The Bay Psalm Book

Made by Stephen Daye (printer), Cambridge, Massachusetts1640Washington, D.C.

A copy of the 1640 Bay Psalm Book — the first book printed in British North America; eleven copies survive. The collector's copy is documented in the Library of Congress exhibition 'First Among Many', and has been loaned for public display.

Provenance

1640

Printed by Stephen Daye, Cambridge, Massachusetts

confirmed

2013

Acquired by the collector; one of eleven surviving copies

confirmed

2015

Documented in the Library of Congress exhibition 'First Among Many'

confirmed

2026

Digitally preserved in Relic

confirmed

Current Custodian

David M. Rubenstein

Washington, D.C.

Request Research Access

Access Matrix

Digital viewingpublic
Additional photographsby request
Remote video inspectionavailable
Research visitowner approval
Temporary research loancase by_case
Museum exhibition loanavailable
Scientific samplingnot permitted
Commercial licensingcontact owner

Record Metadata

CategoryDocuments

MaterialsLetterpress on rag paper, period binding

DimensionsApprox. 19 × 13 cm

ConditionConserved; complete

Digital Record

24 high-res images (8,192 × 6,144)

3D Mesh / Photogrammetry

Precise digital measurements

Doc. Score: 95/100Scanned 8/30/2026

Cite this object

Relic Archive. (1640). The Bay Psalm Book [Object record]. Relic Object RL-1640-007062.