Psalterium Hebraeum, Graecum, Arabicum & Chaldaeum cum tribus latinis interpretationibus & glossis – polyglot Psalter, edited by Agostino Giustiniani. [Genoa (Italy): Petrus Paulus Porrus for Nicolai Jiustiniani Pauli, 1516].
First polyglot edition of the Book of Tehillim. This is the first printed translation of Tehillim to Aramaic (Chaldaeum), and the second book ever printed in Arabic characters.
The text on the title page is printed in five languages: Latin, Hebrew, Greek, Arabic and Aramaic. The Latin, Greek and Aramaic text are printed in red. Framed in a fine decorative border.
Text printed from left to right, eight columns across every two pages – the original Hebrew text, followed by a literal Latin translation, the Latin Vulgate, Greek translation, Arabic translation, Targum (Aramaic translation, with vocalization and cantillation notes), and Latin translation of the Targum. The final column comprises Latin notes and commentaries (occasionally quoting lengthy passages of Hebrew texts).
Headings and prefatory text at beginning of translation printed in red. First Psalm with floriated initial (in all languages).
Particularly lengthy Latin note to Psalm 19, verse 4: "and their words shall go to the ends of the earth...", relating to Columbus' discovery of America, including much previously unpublished information on the life of Columbus (a native of Genoa) and his second voyage (in 1493-1494).
This edition was supervised and financed by Agostino Giustiniani (1470-1536), Bishop of the Diocese of Nebbio, who intended to publish a polyglot edition of the entire Bible (only the Book of Tehillim was ever published, 2000 copies on paper and 50 elaborate copies on parchment).
Handwritten inscriptions (in Latin) on verso of title page, and in several other places.
[200] leaves. Collation: A10, B-Z8, &8, C6. 33 cm. Good condition. Stains, including dampstains to many leaves. Minor marginal open tears to title page and several other leaves. Bookplate. Library stamps. New binding.
This is the first book printed in Genoa, and the only book printed there in the first quarter of the 16th century.
Regarding the uniqueness of this edition, see: B. Sabin Hill, Hebraica from the Valmadonna Trust, The Piermont Morgan Library (1989), no. 18.
Darlow & Moule, 1411.

PLEASE NOTE: Item descriptions were shortened in translation. For further information, please refer to Hebrew text.