De Accentibus et Orthographia, Linguae Hebraicae [“Accents and Spelling of the Hebrew Language”]

REUCHLIN, JOHANNES

Thomas Anshelm

Hagenau

1518

FIRST EDITION. Latin interspersed with Hebrew. Large woodcut device on title and on recto of final leaf. 3pp. with the terms of the Hebrew cantillation, lines alternating in red and black, 9pp. musical scores (printed from right to left). Extensive use of distinctive Hebrew type. Latin marginalia in old hand, some underscoring

Adams R-380; Benzing 106; Sendrey 2081

Reuchlin’s last, refined work on Hebrew grammar, De Accentibus contains the earliest printed Jewish music: a transcription of the Biblical Hebrew cantillation for four voices. Scholars believe the notation was provided by the eminent Christian Hebraist ,Johann Boschenstein (1472-1540). On account of his proficiency in the Hebrew tongue, Boschenstein was suspected by his fellow Christians of Jewish parentage. See E. Carlebach, Divided Souls [2001], p.162) See also B. S. Hill, Pierpont Morgan Library Catalogue, Hebraica from the Valmadonna Trust (1989) no. 21