First edition King James Bible to be auctioned at Bonhams

It is expected to fetch between £6,000 and £8,000 when it goes under the hammer on June 7 along with other rare books and manuscripts.

The copy to be sold carries a charming inscription by one of its previous owners on the inside cover.

“This valuable edition was given to me with a large library by my kind uncle the Revd. Robert Rawling in 1794. J.J. Wilkinson. This Bible was given to my son - Thomas Henry Wilkinson, 14 July, 1846, J.J.W," it reads.

This year marks the 400th anniversary of the completion of the King James Bible and churches across the UK and beyond are celebrating the milestone with special services, exhibitions, lectures and other events.

The King James Bible was begun in 1604 and completed in 1611. Nearly 50 translators were involved in writing what is widely acknowledged as one of the most significant books in the English language.

The beauty of the text has won praise even from the unlikeliest of people, including prominent atheists Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens.

Digital technology and social media have played a part in this year's anniversary celebrations, with Prince Charles being among those to have read out a passage from the King James Bible for the YouTube Bible.

Earlier in the week, some 10,000 people took part in a global online reading of the King James Bible organised by YouVersion.