PENTATEUCH ONLY)

AUCTION 6 | Tuesday, November 17th, 1998 at 1:00

Fine Judaica: Books, Manuscripts and Works of Art The Property of Various Owners

Back to Catalogue

<Previous Lot

/305

Next Lot>

Lot 28

(BIBLE. Polyglot

PENTATEUCH ONLY)

In Hebrew, Aramaic, Persian and Arabic. Lacking Appendix (ff.70) of Haphtaroth and Five Megilloth in Hebrew only. ff.390 (of 420). Made-up copy. ff.30 provided in fragment, manuscript or facsimile, many leaves remargined with loss of text. Recent pencil collation erroneous. Modern calf-backed marbled boards. Sold not subject to return. Thick 4to Vinograd, Const. 189; Yaari, Const. 143; Darlow & Moule 1417 & 5091

Constantinople: Eliezer Soncino 1546

Est: $3,000 - $4,000

The First Soncino “Hebrew” Polyglot. All texts are printed in fully-pointed Hebrew characters. The Bible text in large type occupies the middle column, the Aramaic Targum of Onkelos is on the left and the Persian translation of Jacob ben Joseph Tawus, especially commissioned for this edition, is on the right. Sa’adya Gaon’s Arabic version runs across the top of the page, while the Commentary of Rashi (in unpointed rabbinic type) is at the bottom. “Its beautiful typography and interesting format make it worthy of comparison with any Hebrew printing in the West; but its editorial program make it obvious that the publisher was interested in an Oriental market.” D.S. Berkowitz, In Remembrance of Creation (1968) no.176.