I would like to share also my experience on buying and selling antique Catholic bibles and a guide on purchasing one in a suitable condition, and the difference of the quality.

Difference of a Catholic and Protestant Bible.

When it comes to 19th century Bibles you can easily tell which one is catholic or protestant by the binding designs. Usually the ones with no crosses are protestant, and the ones with crosses or catholic emblems on the covers are Catholic. Next we should ALWAYS ask the sellers if a bible they are selling are really catholic, if they state is catholic but if it has unfamiliar titled data: (King James, Rev Brown,  Apocrypha or self- interpreting) BEWARE!  The title pages of protestant bibles state the following: Authorized Version, Scotts, Cottage, Authorized by his or her Majesty, Rev Brown, King James,especially the self interpreting are NOT Catholic bibles regardless if it has 72 complete books including the so- called "apocrypha" books which are in fact, 7 canonical books. Next the publishers: Phinney, Cambridge, Oxford, American Bible Society, ect are Protestant publishers and they have never published any Catholic versions. Finally Check if it has any imprimaturs on them by a bishop or a cardinal if it dosen't, it's also NOT CATHOLIC! Check also the title page that says Translated from the Latin Vulgate, even if the modern "catholic" bibles(New American or Jerusalem) does not state that they are not safe translations.

The Latin Vulgate has been organized by the Catholic Church in the 4th century with the work of St Jerome which he known greek and hebrew since birth and studied the rest of the languages at 26. It took him with the help of the Holy Ghost 14 Years to translate from the original languages to Latin. Original texts that were no longer available, and he was the ONLY man who used those authentic original manuscripts of scripture into Latin! Still here on ebay there are also protestant bibles written in latin as well, make sure that the title says: Biblia Sacra Vulgate editions. Just like theDouay-Rheims if it does not have any clerical approbations its not Catholic. Protestant bibles where translated from the modern greek and hebrew languages that were corrupted by the Palestinian Jews ( The ones that crucified our Lord Jesus Christ), not from the authentic ancient manuscripts which ONLY St Jerome in the 4th century had possessed. Anyhow Catholic bibles now are even rarer than protestant versions even still in this century the Catholic Church is a minority here in America. While Protestant bibles are a dime a dozen,  antique Catholic Bibles especially the Haydock annotated editions are rarer, worth a purchase and appropriate for a faithful Catholic!

Quality and Condition

Through a couple of years collecting early catholic bibles, i have been gaining experience and inspirations from top notch experts throughout ebay. In order to be COMPLETLY satisfied with your bid and purchases on ebay, make sure that is in a acceptable antiquarian condition, for example, attached covers, presentable spine, complete pages ect. Still if just one cover is detached or there few loose pages it does not completly ruin its reputation. BUT it cost an arm and a leg to have them fix and rebound, especially when they are very old and are large family sizes.  According to a member when the bible is professionally fix to it's former beauty its a lot better and it increases its value! But it cost him a fourtune!

The quality of 19th century bibles are even BETTER than the bibles made in the 20th century. The paper is made naturally from wood, while paper today is made artificially. As for bindings the highest quality is Genuine Leather and are decorated nicely, the cheaper ones are leather spine with marbled or decorated boards,and calf. The cheapest ones are sheep or cloth,  Most modern 20th century bindings are in the very plain low quality,which is grain cloth or imitation leather.

So books made in the 20th century would not last more than 100 years due to its very low quality, as of books made from the 16th-19th century which are in the greatest quality. For more info on historical Catholic bible visit the Douaybible.com site!