Latin, PSALMS). Psalterium ex hebreo diligetissime ad verbum fere tralatum

AUCTION 11 | Tuesday, November 28th, 2000 at 1:00

Important Hebrew Printed Books and Manuscripts From the Library of the London Beth Din

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Lot 164

(BIBLE,.

Latin, PSALMS). Psalterium ex hebreo diligetissime ad verbum fere tralatum

Unvocalized Hebrew types along margins, with the entire Hebrew alphabet on ff.53-6 alongside Psalm CXIX. Title printed in red and black, four initial letters historiated, chapter headings and all initial verse letters in red. Opening and closing pastedowns composed of early Latin manuscript with flourishes on vellum ff.(2),64. Upper margin lightly dampstained, otherwise a good copy. Contemporary blind-tooled calf, upper clasp with initials (unidentified), lower clasp lacking, lightly rubbed. Sm.4to Adams B-1398; Habermann, Bomberg no.1 and see pp. 13-4; Darlow & Moule, noted not listed see p.918

Venice: Petrus Liechtenstein, with Daniel Bomberg 5th September, 1515

Est: $10,000 - $15,000

PRICE REALIZED $17,000

The First Book Published by the Great Daniel Bomberg of Venice A literal translation from the HeBREW into Latin BY THE CONvert Felix Pratensis. The intention was to translate the entire Bible into Latin, but no more than this Psalter appeared. Nevertheless two years later Bomberg’s partnership with Pratensis resulted in in the first Biblia Rabbinica which Pratensis edited. Bomberg brought to Venice a repute for Hebrew printing equal to that of Aldus Manutius in Greek. See A. Marx, Hebrew Type in Non-Hebrew Books, in: Studies in Jewish History and Booklore (1969) p.310; D. Amram, The Makers of Hebrew Books, p.150; for an alternative viewpoint see I. Mehlman, Genuzot Sefarim (1976) pp.13-20