(BIBLE, Hebrew). Torah, Nevi’im, Kethuvim (incomplete)

(BINDING)

Robertus Stephanus [Robert Estienne]

Paris

1544-5

With Nikud. Five volumes. Each book with individual title page. On title, printer’s mark (cf. Yaari, no. 27). IN A FINE GROLIER-STYLE BINDING. French, 16th-century (circa 1560), gilt-tooled polished calf binding. Gilt-ruled panels on upper and lower covers. Motifs of interlacing ribbon, strapwork. Outline and portions painted white. On spine, floral motifs alternating with squamous design, gilt extra. Elegant gauffered edges with floral motifs

Vinograd, Paris 18; Darlow & Moule (noted only, not listed) below no. 5089; Adams B-1224

A Binding of Great Distinction - Most Unusual for a Hebrew Bible. It is highly uncommon to find a Hebrew Bible in a contemporary binding of such striking craftsmanship. The resemblance of this exquisite binding to the much sought-after bindings commissioned by the famed French bibliophile Jean Grolier, is striking. However, Grolier would commonly have his name or his motto tooled onto one of the covers or penned inside. For an example of a Grolier binding of similar style, see Pierpont Morgan Library Catalogue, The Wormsley Library: A Personal Selection by Sir Paul Getty (1999), p. 70-71, no. 24 (illus.) The British Library possesses a remarkably similar - but not identical - binding for a copy of Galen‘s De sanitate tuenda (Lyons, 1559). British Library shelfmark c129d15. According to Dr. van Leeuwen the provenance of our binding is French, circa 1560. With grateful thanks to Dr. Jan Storm van Leeuwen, Keeper, Bookbinding Collection, Koninklijke Bibliotheek (Dutch Royal Library), The Hague; Fabienne Le Bars, Conservateur, Bibliotheque Nationale de France, Paris; and Philippa Marks, Curator of Bookbindings, The British Library, London; for their expert assistance in researching this binding