THE LONDON POLYGLOT). Walton, Brian, Ed. Old and New Testament and Apocrypha. Text in nine languages: Hebrew, Samaritan, Aramaic (Targum Onkelos), Greek, Latin, Syriac, Ethiopic, Arabic, and Persian (Farsi)
AUCTION 40 |
Thursday, June 26th,
2008 at 1:00
Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts, Autograph Letters, Graphic & Ceremonial Art
Lot 68
(BIBLE
THE LONDON POLYGLOT). Walton, Brian, Ed. Old and New Testament and Apocrypha. Text in nine languages: Hebrew, Samaritan, Aramaic (Targum Onkelos), Greek, Latin, Syriac, Ethiopic, Arabic, and Persian (Farsi)
London: Thomas Roycroft 1655-1657
Est: $5,000 - $7,000
“The fourth and the last of the great Polyglots; known as the London, or Walton’s Polyglot. The most accurate and best-equipped of the great Polyglots.” Darlow & Moule 1446.
The original ("republican") version was printed with a lengthy preface in Volume I discussing Oliver Cromwell’s role in the duty-free importation of paper for this edition. After the Restoration, copies not yet sold were given the "loyalist" preface, which omitted mention of Cromwell's help in the production of the book.
The map of the Land of Israel, entitled “Chorographica Terrae Sanctae Descriptio,” occurs in Vol. I after p. 53. The map orients to the East, with Lebanon at the far left, and what is presently referred to as the Negev Desert at the far right, while the Mediterranean Sea takes the foreground. Size: 8 1/2 x 19 inches. Above the large map are three cartouches of Old Syria, the Israelite Encampment in the Desert and the Wanderings of the Israelites in the Desert.