Auction 101 Part 1 Special Auction: Ketubot | Megillot | Haggadot | Books | Jewish Ceremonial Art

Pocket-Size Bible – Paris, 1543-1546 – Complete Eight-Volume Set – Original Leather Bindings

Opening: $5,000
Estimate: $8,000 - $10,000
Sold for: $17,500
Including buyer's premium
Torah, Neviim and Ketuvim. Paris: Robertus Stephanus, 1543-1546. Complete eight-volume set, in pocket format. Original leather bindings.

Each title page bears the Stephanus printer's device – an elderly man standing by a tree with several wilting branches and a banner that reads "Noli altum sapere" (Latin: Do not be proud). See: Yaari, Diglei HaMadpisim HaIvriyim, illustration 27 and p. 135.

Eight volumes. Volume I (Bereshit, Shemot, Vayikra): [146], [123], [88] leaves. Volume II (Bamidbar, Devarim): [122]; [107] leaves. Volume III (Yehoshua, Shoftim, Shmuel): [77], [73], [176] leaves. Volume IV (Melachim, Yeshayahu): [184], [131] leaves. Volume V (Yirmiyahu, Yechezkel): [168]; [144] leaves. Volume VI (Trei Asar, Tehillim): [117], [159] leaves. Volume VII (Mishlei, Job, Five Megillot): [53], [61], [80] leaves. Volume VIII (Daniel, Ezra and Nechemiah, Divrei HaYamim): [47], [30], [43], [183] leaves.
10.5 cm. Gilt edges. Light, high-quality paper. Good condition. Stains. Original leather bindings, with gilt decorations on spine. Damage to bindings. Binding boards loose and detached in several volumes. Spine of last volume repaired. Volumes placed in leather-covered case. Ownership stamps on all volumes, on verso of title page: monogram of the letters "A.R.", with a handwritten inscription: "1710".