Lot 674

"The Life Of Jesus" by Ernest Renan 1927 Hardcover Early Biography Of Jesus

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Lot 674
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"The Life Of Jesus" by Ernest Renan 1927 Hardcover Early Biography Of Jesus
"The Life Of Jesus" by Ernest Renan 1927 Hardcover Early Biography Of Jesus
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"The Life Of Jesus" by Ernest Renan 1927 Hardcover Early Biography Of Jesus

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Starting Bid: $10

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by The Book Barn
August 13, 2026 5:00 PM EDT
Timed Auction
353 Indian Village Road
Shapliegh, ME, US 07076

"The Life Of Jesus" by Ernest Renan 1927 Hardcover Early Biography Of Jesus; Introduction by John Holmes. HARDCOVER 1927 Random House/Modern Library 1st Edition Early but not 1st Printing with Date: "1927" on title page", "Copyright 1927", & with no additional printings on copyright page. EDITION IDENTIFIERS: The "Running Man" Logo: is the iconic Lucian Bernhard Torchbearer logo, which served as the primary Modern Library emblem during this early specific publishing era. The Binding Style: green cloth features Toledano Binding Style #4. This format was used by the publisher between 1925 and 1929. The Endpapers: The repeating running figure patterns lining the inside front & back covers are the Lucian Bernhard Pictorial Endpapers, which were uniquely used to line the book blocks from late 1925 until they were replaced by Rockwell Kent designs in 1929. Editorial Profile: This edition features a notable introduction written by the prominent Unitarian minister and social activist John Haynes Holmes. This shows the book to be an early printing of the 1927 First Modern Library Edition. The Spine (Direct Gold Gilt): The presence of direct gold lettering—rather than an ink title block—confirms this is an original, early run of the 1927 printing. Uncommon Collectible early printing Modern Library hardcover. Exactly as shown in listing scan(s).

"A classic and historically VERY controversial biography that treats Jesus Christ purely as a mortal, historical figure. Renan strips away theological dogmas and divine status. He portrays Jesus as an extraordinary, deeply spiritual, and highly charismatic human teacher, but a man nonetheless. The narrative vividly reconstructs 1st-century Palestine. Renan frames Jesus' early years against the lush, peaceful landscapes of Galilee, which heavily influenced his message of love and righteousness. The text follows Jesus from a humble carpenter's son into a self-proclaimed Messiah. Renan asserts that as opposition from religious authorities grew, Jesus became an intense, apocalyptic reformer seeking to upend existing socio-religious structures. Also controversial, Renan uses secular historical criticism to explain away supernatural events. For instance, he attributes miracles—including the resurrection and the raising of Lazarus—to a mix of medical ignorance, poetic misunderstandings, or psychological projections by devoted disciples desperate to keep his memory alive. Finally Renan depicts Jesus as walking deliberately toward his crucifixion in Jerusalem. Renan views his death not as a cosmic atonement, but as the tragic, inevitable execution of a revolutionary by the Roman state. Originally published in French in 1863 ("Vie de Jésus"), it was the first massive, mainstream biography to apply modern historical-critical methods to Christ. Because Renan had studied for the Catholic priesthood before abandoning the faith, the book caused an international uproar, was denounced by the Church, and cost him his professorship at the Collège de France."

Internally tight and unmarked. Binding Exterior; sunned spine/ving small wear to binding corners but all lettering/decoration readable. No DJ present. NO REMAINDER MARK; NOT X-LIBRARY.

ALL ITEMS ARE GUARANTEED TO BE ACCURATELY DESCRIBED, NOT DEFECTIVE, & GENUINE.

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  • Condition: Good Condition

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$0 $19 $1
$20 $49 $2
$50 $99 $5
$100 $249 $10
$250 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
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