Erpenius, Thomas. Grammatica Ebraea Generalis.

AUCTION 55 | Thursday, June 21st, 2012 at 1:00

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

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Lot 120

(GRAMMAR).

Erpenius, Thomas. Grammatica Ebraea Generalis.

<<FIRST EDITION.>> Latin interspersed with fully vocalized Hebrew. Printer’s device on title. pp. (16), 317, (2), (1 blank). Light waterstain, trace foxed. Contemporary calf, spine in compartments, gilt extra. 8vo. From the Cassuto Collection. Freimann, p. 76 (2nd ed. 1627).

Leiden: Johannes Maire 1621

Est: $300 - $500

PRICE REALIZED $500

The author of this work, Thomas Erpenius of Leiden University, purchased Hebrew types from the printer Franciscus Raphelengius in 1619, which he then lent to Johannes Le Maire. Thereupon Le Maire printed six Hebrew books between 1621 and 1624. Some of these Hebrew books acknowledge Le Maire’s debt to Erpenius for lending him the typefaces: “Ex Typographia Erpeniana.” See L. Fuks, Hebrew Typography in the Northern Netherlands (1984), Part I, pp. 32-3. The Leiden Arabist Thomas Erpenius (1584-1624) is credited with being the founder of modern Arabic studies. In 1612 he added Hebrew grammar and language to his teaching duties. See A. L. Katchen, Christian Hebraists and Dutch Rabbis (1984), p. 76.