William Yapp 1807-1874

Although unknown to most believers today, few readers would realize that the Bible that they carry and read is a testimony to the man who is the subject of this short article. As one writer states, ‘Cover extensions have for many years been known as yapp edges, getting their name from the nineteenth-century London Bible binder, William Yapp, who created limp bindings with drawn-on leather covers which overlapped the edge of the book block … He was undoubtedly not the first binder to do this … although his name is firmly attached to this type of edge treatment’.¹

William Yapp was saved in his youth and from that moment devoted himself to the work of the Lord. For many years his work was centred in Hereford before he moved to London. In later life, he returned to Herefordshire on the English/Welsh borders, settling in Leominster. In all of these locations he was involved in gospel work, spreading the gospel across neighbouring counties. It is said that whilst in Hereford he travelled to ‘Worcester, Malvern, Ross-on-Wye, Ledbury, Leominster, and Ludlow … by horses and traps … [keeping] five horses in his stables for this purpose’.²

When living in Hereford, the assembly met in a large room at the Yapp house, although that soon became too small. It was enlarged (providing seating for 300-400 people) with ‘the cost defrayed by brethren and sisters selling their silver-plate and superfluous furniture’.³ As Pickering writes, ‘In those days the house and its furniture, dress and its fashions, amusements, occupations, business, and customs, all were tested by the Word of God’.⁴ These were the early days of testimony and those who had left Christian denominations to be associated with this new work soon developed their gifts to feed and shepherd the flock. Beattie comments, ‘These brethren now found scope for the exercise of gifts which God had bestowed upon them, and on occasions would journey by horse and trap to neighbouring towns, as well as to the country villages, to preach the gospel’.⁵

In 1853, William Yapp moved to London, where he met with the company in Welbeck Hall. In that august company, quarterly missionary meetings were held and some of those present include the names of Arnot, Baedeker, Hudson Taylor, and Crawford. As part of his publishing work in Baker Street, London, he collaborated with James Hawkins in bringing a number of books to press, including the writings of William Lincoln, Henry Soltau, J. L. Harris, and Arthur Pridham. However, as stated above, he is perhaps best known for the flap edges he introduced through publishing Bibles. Pickering notes, ‘He continued in business till health failed, always conducting it on godly principles, putting the Lord first in everything. Thus he was prospered in every business he put his hand to, and was a prince among his brethren’.⁶

Yapp was also involved in a written ministry, editing, and publishing the periodical Golden Lamp for its first five years (1870-74).⁷ He was succeeded as editor by his close friends Henry Groves and J. L. McLean. His desire to see believers taught and built up in their faith was also evident in the local assembly. With failing health bringing him back to the area of his childhood in 1863, he sought to bring other able brethren to Leominster. As the expanding assembly soon outgrew its premises, Yapp made arrangements to rent a large room in Waterloo House in the town. Indeed, he also rented and furnished other parts of the same building to provide accommodation for visiting speakers and those interested in helping the work of the Lord. In the year leading up to his death, four conferences were held, speakers including Henry Groves, Henry Dyer, and Henry Heath.

Apart from the public face of William Yapp, he exercised considerable shepherd care for the Lord’s people. Pickering states, ‘the people of God … were precious to Him … [and so] he cared not how he toiled, or journeyed, or suffered if he could but cheer a child of God, or help him follow the Lord more fully’.⁸Those that were sorrowing drew out his sympathy, and those erring appreciated his help. Indeed, it seemed that grace, love, and power prevailed, and many from the world were drawn to the meetings and thoroughly converted to the glory of God. Pickering also quotes occasions when hospitality was offered to fellow believers, young and old, rich and poor.

This saintly and thoroughly devoted servant of the Lord was called home on the 28th of November 1874.