http://www.bakeru.edu/system/article_item.asp?txtArticleID=281 Author Public Relations Office
Date 02/24/2004
Subject BUSH BIBLE KEEPS PRESIDENTIAL COLLECTION COMPLETE
NEWS RELEASE
Feb. 24, 2004
Contact Stacy Cohen, director of public relations, 785-594-8330
BUSH BIBLE KEEPS PRESIDENTIAL COLLECTION COMPLETE
BALDWIN CITY, Kan. — Baker University announced today it has received a Bible signed by President George W. Bush, adding to its collection of Bibles signed by every president since Harry S. Truman.
The Quayle Rare Bible Collection in Collins Library now includes 11 Bibles from former presidents. John Forbes, curator of the collection, said the Bibles are only on display every four years, during an election year. The collection will be on display from July 1 to June 30, 2005, and will include correspondence dealing with the acquisition of each Bible. The Bush Bible went on display early in honor of its new arrival. The inscription reads: "May God continue to bless America."
The presidential collection began when a longtime Baker librarian wrote to President Truman in 1946 and asked for a Bible from his collection for the Quayle holdings. He responded with a message and his signature and the collection was born. Forbes coordinated with Senator Pat Roberts’ office for the past year to have Bush sign the latest Bible.
The Quayle Collection comprises more than 800 Bibles with 500 currently on display. The collection includes rare pieces such as cuneiform tablets dating to 2000 BC and a leaf from the Gutenberg Bible. The collection was established in 1925 with a gift from the estate of Bishop William A. Quayle, a Baker alumnus who later served as university president.
The Quayle Collection is on display from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday. Groups can also arrange special tours by calling Forbes at 785-594-8393.
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