Other booksellers chose the THREE BIBLES, which was a very common sign of the trade on London Bridge in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries: of one of them, Charles Tyne, trades tokens are extant,--great curiosities to the numismatist, as booksellers were not in the habit of issuing them. The sign of the Three Bibles seems to have originated from the stationers’ arms, which are _arg._ on a chevron between _three bibles_, _or_ a falcon volant between two roses, the Holy Ghost in chief. One bookseller, on account of his selling stationery, also added _three inkbottles_ to the favourite three Bibles, as we see from an advertisement, giving the price of playing cards in 1711:-- “Sold by Henry Parson, Stationer at the THREE BIBLES AND THREE INKBOTTLES, near St Magnus’ Church, on London Bridge, the best principal superfine Picket Cards, at 2s. 6d. a dozen; the best principal Ombro Cards, at 2s. 9d. a dozen; the best principal superfine Basset Cards, at 3s. 6d. a dozen; with all other Cards and Stationery Wares at Reasonable Rates.”[368] Combinations of the Bible with other objects were very common, some of them symbolic, as the BIBLE AND CROWN, which sign originated during the political troubles in the reign of Charles I. It was at this time when the clergy and the court party constantly tried to convince the people of the divine prerogative of the Crown, that the “Bible and Crown” became the standing toast of the Cavaliers and those opposed to the Parliament leaders. As a sign it has been used for a century and a half by the firm of Rivington the publishers. The old wood carving, painted and gilt in the style of the early signs, was taken down from over the shop in Paternoster Row in 1853, when this firm removed westward. It is still in their possession. Cobbett, the political agitator and publisher, in the beginning of this century chose the sign of the BIBLE, CROWN, AND CONSTITUTION; but the general tenor of his life was such, that his enemies said he put them up merely that he might afterwards be able to say he had pulled them down. A BIBLE, SCEPTRE, AND CROWN, carved in wood, may still be seen on the top of an ale-house of that name in High Holborn. The crown and sceptre in this case are placed on two closed Bibles. The BIBLE AND LAMB, _i.e._, the Holy Lamb, we find mentioned in an advertisement in the _Publick Advertiser_, March 1, 1759-- “To be had at the BIBLE AND LAMB, near Temple Bar, on the Strand Side, the Skin for Pains in the Limbs, Price 2s.” Books also were sold here, for in those days booksellers and toyshops were the usual repositories for quack medicines.