Details
BIBLE, in Hebrew -- FORMER PROPHETS. Neviim Rishonim. With commentary by Isaac ben Judah Abrabanel (1437-1508). [Pesaro:] Gershom Soncino, [1511-12].
2o (321 x 223 mm). Collation: [16 2-104; 11-194; 20-454 466; 47-744 756]. 306 leaves (fol. 10/4 blank). Signed to the fold, the sheets numbered in arabic numerals on rectos of first leaf of each bifolium (the numbering occasionally erratic after quire 60). Mostly double column, some pages with commentary in single column. Text in square type, commentary in smaller semi-cursive type. 1/1r blank, title printed on verso. Opening text page 1/2r and final page 75/6r printed within fine 4-part white-on-black ornamental woodcut border with arabesques, grotesques, vases. etc. Opening words on 11/2v, 20/1r and 47/4v in woodcut white-vine capitals. 59/2.3 misbound in reverse. (Title leaf 1/1 laid down, fol. 22/2 with foremargin repair, 2 or 3 tiny holes or small marginal tears, small marginal hole in fols. 46/6-47/2, some staining, severe in quires 3 and 4, last leaf stained and edges frayed.) Modern black buckram.
Provenance: occasional contemporary Hebrew marginalia (cropped); early owner's device on title-page and first text page of a heart surmounted by a 4 and enclosing the initials I.S.P.; London, Jews' College (inkstamps).
FIRST EDITION of the commentary by Abrabanel. Expelled from Spain in 1492, Abrabanel denounced the Spanish monarchy in his introduction; his commentary is strongly anti-Christian in tone. From 1489 to 1527 Gershom Soncino (d. 1534), nephew of Joshua Solomon Soncino, moved from city to Italian city, seeking a hospitable home for his press. Editions from his itinerant press, which included Latin as well as Hebrew classics and even a few Italian books, issued not only from 8 different Italian cities, but from locations "along the road", some named, others unknown (see following lot). Gershom's types were designed by Francesco Griffo da Bologna (c. 1450-1518), Aldus Manutius' punchcutter. In 1507 he introduced printing to Pesaro, where he remained, with two short interruptions, until 1520, enjoying the protection of the Sforza dynasty and the most productive period of his printing career. He published the present edition within a year of another edition of Joshua-Kings, with the commentary of David ben Joseph Kimchi. In 1527 Gershom printed his last book in Italy, and joined his sons in Salonica.
Adams B-1278 (variant collation, with a quire of four leaves between quires 45 and 46); BM/STC Italian p. 96 (2 copies, one on vellum); Manzoni, Annali Typografici dei Soncino (1883-86), 72; Steinschneider 1039; Zedner, p. 120.
2
Provenance: occasional contemporary Hebrew marginalia (cropped); early owner's device on title-page and first text page of a heart surmounted by a 4 and enclosing the initials I.S.P.; London, Jews' College (inkstamps).
FIRST EDITION of the commentary by Abrabanel. Expelled from Spain in 1492, Abrabanel denounced the Spanish monarchy in his introduction; his commentary is strongly anti-Christian in tone. From 1489 to 1527 Gershom Soncino (d. 1534), nephew of Joshua Solomon Soncino, moved from city to Italian city, seeking a hospitable home for his press. Editions from his itinerant press, which included Latin as well as Hebrew classics and even a few Italian books, issued not only from 8 different Italian cities, but from locations "along the road", some named, others unknown (see following lot). Gershom's types were designed by Francesco Griffo da Bologna (c. 1450-1518), Aldus Manutius' punchcutter. In 1507 he introduced printing to Pesaro, where he remained, with two short interruptions, until 1520, enjoying the protection of the Sforza dynasty and the most productive period of his printing career. He published the present edition within a year of another edition of Joshua-Kings, with the commentary of David ben Joseph Kimchi. In 1527 Gershom printed his last book in Italy, and joined his sons in Salonica.
Adams B-1278 (variant collation, with a quire of four leaves between quires 45 and 46); BM/STC Italian p. 96 (2 copies, one on vellum); Manzoni, Annali Typografici dei Soncino (1883-86), 72; Steinschneider 1039; Zedner, p. 120.