Auction 78 - Rare and Important Items
Bible – Philadelphia, 1814 – First Hebrew Bible Printed in America
Opening: $6,000
Estimate: $10,000 - $12,000
Unsold
Torah, Neviim and Ketuvim, Biblia Hebraica, Secundum Ultimam Editionem Jos. Athiae, a Johanne Leusden Denuo Recognitam, Recensita Variisque Notis Latinis Illustrata Ab Everardo Van der Hooght. Philadelphia: Gulielmi Fry for Thomae Dobson, 1814. Hebrew, some Latin. Two volumes.
First complete Bible printed in Hebrew in America.
Bible in two volumes, non-vocalized. With Latin foreword by Everardo Van Der Hooght and Latin notes in the margins. The text is based on the Everardo Van Der Hooght edition printed in Amsterdam (the title pages of Neviim Rishonim and Acharonim state: "produced with intensive study in Amsterdam"; Goldman notes that in some copies, this statement was omitted).
In 1812, Jonathan Horwitz proposed the publication of a Hebrew Bible using the Hebrew type which he brought with him from Amsterdam to America, but he soon discovered that he was not alone in his desire to produce such a Bible. In early 1813, in the face of stiff competition, Horwitz sold the Hebrew type, his publication rights and list of subscribers to Thomas Dobson and William Fry who issued the present edition.
Vol. I: [6], 296 leaves. Vol. II: [4], 3-312 leaves (leaves 145-148 are bound between leaves 140-141. Leaves 305-308 bound upside down). 21.5 cm. Overall good condition. Marginal tears and minor damage to some leaves, professionally restored. Long tears and one open tear, slightly affecting text on leaves 32-33 of vol. II, professionally restored. Fine, new leather bindings. Placed in a new slipcase.
Singerman 236, Goldman 4.
First complete Bible printed in Hebrew in America.
Bible in two volumes, non-vocalized. With Latin foreword by Everardo Van Der Hooght and Latin notes in the margins. The text is based on the Everardo Van Der Hooght edition printed in Amsterdam (the title pages of Neviim Rishonim and Acharonim state: "produced with intensive study in Amsterdam"; Goldman notes that in some copies, this statement was omitted).
In 1812, Jonathan Horwitz proposed the publication of a Hebrew Bible using the Hebrew type which he brought with him from Amsterdam to America, but he soon discovered that he was not alone in his desire to produce such a Bible. In early 1813, in the face of stiff competition, Horwitz sold the Hebrew type, his publication rights and list of subscribers to Thomas Dobson and William Fry who issued the present edition.
Vol. I: [6], 296 leaves. Vol. II: [4], 3-312 leaves (leaves 145-148 are bound between leaves 140-141. Leaves 305-308 bound upside down). 21.5 cm. Overall good condition. Marginal tears and minor damage to some leaves, professionally restored. Long tears and one open tear, slightly affecting text on leaves 32-33 of vol. II, professionally restored. Fine, new leather bindings. Placed in a new slipcase.
Singerman 236, Goldman 4.
Americana
Americana