Alphabeti ver`e Naturalis Hebraici brevissima delineatio [“A Brief Delineation of the True Nature of the Hebrew Alphabet.”]

AUCTION 54 | Wednesday, March 21st, 2012 at 1:00

Fine Judaica: Printed Books, Manuscripts Autograph Letters, Graphic & Ceremonial Art

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Lot 153

HELMONT, FRANCISCUS MERCURIUS BARON VON.

Alphabeti ver`e Naturalis Hebraici brevissima delineatio [“A Brief Delineation of the True Nature of the Hebrew Alphabet.”]

Engraved frontispiece signed “F. Franck.” With 36 extraordinary engravings of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet. pp. (36), 107, (1); ff. 36. Browned. Contemporary vellum. 12mo. Freimann, p. 84.

Sulzbach: Abraham Lichtenthaler 1657

Est: $1,500 - $1,800

Franciscus Mercurius van Helmont (1614-99) was a Belgian physician and philosopher. He postulates here that Hebrew is the most suitable language for teaching the deaf and dumb to speak. The most unusual copper engravings are designed to display the parts of the mouth from which a specific Hebrew sound is produced. See A. J. Klijnsmit, F. M. van Helmont: Kabbalist and Phonetician, in: Studia Rosenthaliana 30:2 (1996) pp. 267-281.