Hebrew and Aramaic. PENTATEUCH). Chamishah Chumshei Torah. With Targum Onkelos on each facing page.

(BIBLE

Tobias Foa

Sabbionetta

1557

PRINTED ON VELLUM. With vocalization points (nikud). Printers’ device on verso of title page (Yaari no. 21)

Vinograd, Sabbionetta 41; Darlow & Moule 2407; Deinard, Atikoth Yehudah p.39; Adams B-1260 noting vellum copy in the University Library

A luxury copy beautifully printed entirely on vellum by Tobias Foa under the patronage of Vespasiano Gonzaga. Of pocket size, with a carefully revised Targum, set with vocalization (Nikud). A critical edition of this Targum was prepared by Abraham Berliner in 1884 (see D&M, 2425). Foa published in the same year differing issues of this Bible with variations relating to the presence or otherwise of Haphtaroth, Megiloth, Targum and Nikud. See Die Hebraeische Pergamentdrucke, in: Zeitschrift fuer Hebraeische Bibliographie, vol. XV (1911) no. 77 (recording seven copies). For a similar copy sold at auction see Sotheby’s London, Property of the Earl of Rosebery and Midlothian, 5th December, 1994, lot 64. According to Amram “No Hebrew press of the [fifteenth] century was more fortunate in the number and quality of its workmen” (p. 291)