Extensive Rare Bible Collection Given to HSU
Dr. Charles and Roena Tandy have entrusted Hardin-Simmons University with the gift of a rare and valuable collection of early and antique Bibles and Christian writings, some dating to the early 1500's. Dr. Tandy is a 1949 graduate with a deep connection to HSU. He believes the university has given so much to him that he is thrilled to give something back in a way that will increase the prestige and educational impact of the University.
HSU dignitaries view one of only 50 first edition King James Bibles in existance
Hardin-Simmons University held a media event for the gifting of this extremely valuable collection at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, Dec 11, on the second floor of the Richardson Library on the HSU campus. Dr. Tandy and Dr. Brisco, dean of the Logsdon School of Theology, were on-hand to answer questions about the collection.
"The Tandy Collection contains several of the most significant Bibles in the English language," said Dr. Brisco, "including a first edition of the King James Bible and a 'Great She' Bible - a 1613 edition of the King James Version named for the correction of a previous printer's error found in Ruth 3. The collection also includes a 1541 edition of the Great Bible, the work of the Myles Coverdale - a close confidant of William Tyndale- and a first edition of the Geneva Bible translated by Protestant Reformers at Geneva in 1560. The Geneva Bible was the Bible used by William Shakespeare. The Rheims Douai Version, the first English Bible designed for Roman Catholics, is also represented in the extensive holdings."
Dr. Tandy points to an image of King James defaced by an early owner
"Dr. Tandy has a deep passion for the Bible evidenced in this collection developed over many years," Dr. Brisco continues, "HSU is indeed fortunate to have this collection on campus. The generosity of the Tandy's will allow faculty and students at HSU to have access to some of the most important versions of the Bible for study purposes."
The collection consists of 26 Bibles, 19 leaves and fragments, and 31 volumes of secondary literature. Bibles include:
Sacon Bible 1521
Tyndale New Testament facsimile 1976
Coverdale 1550
Coverdale facsimile 1975
Coverdale Psalter 1935
Sixth great Bible 1541
Geneva Bible 1560
Geneva facsimile 1969
Rheims New Testament 1582
Rheims New Testament 1600
Douay Old Testament 1609/10
Geneva Tomson Junius 1606
King James Bible, 1st edition (only 50 copies known to exist)
King James Bible, 1st edition fragment
King James Bible, 1613 "She"
Eliot Bible Leaf Book 1979, second copy of 16
Baskerville Bible 1763
Baskerville Bible 1772
Trenton, Isaac Collins Bible 1793
Noah Webster Bible 1833
John Brown Bible 1816
Philadelphia Bible 1829
First English Revised Version 1881-1885
English Hexapla 1841
Dr. Tandy holds an extremely valuable first edition Elgin Bible
Dr. Tandy, an Abilene High School graduate, applied to HSU in the 1940's knowing he didn't have the resources to go to college. His high school teachers intervened with letters asking the university to help the exceptional student find a job which might defray some of the cost of tuition. He was able to work in the science labs, and through providence and hard work, graduated without ever having to pay tuition. He completed medical school, a stint in the Air Force, and settled at Parkland Hospital in Dallas to practice. Over 50 years and 43,000 personal anesthetics later, he wouldn't change a thing. He married the former Roena Rainey 36 years ago, and kept a busy civic schedule including a term as President of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce, and a position on the Dallas City Council. Dr. Tandy continues to practice anesthesiology, but has cut his schedule back to three days per week.
The University will hold a more formal reception during the first quarter of the new year for Dr. and Roena Tandy. The reception will be educational in nature, complete with talks by experts in early English Bibles and related materials, and will be open to the community.
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