![POSTEL, Guillaume (1510-1581). Linguarum duodecim characteribus differentium alphabetum introductio. Paris: Dionysius Lescuier [excudebat P. Vidouaeus, 1538] [bound with:] De originibus seu de Hebraicae linguae et gentis antiquitate déque variarum linguarum affinitate. Paris: Dionysius Lescuier [excudebat Petrus Vidouaeus, 27 March 1538].](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2006/CKS/2006_CKS_07275_0091_000(010412).jpg?w=1)
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POSTEL, Guillaume (1510-1581). Linguarum duodecim characteribus differentium alphabetum introductio. Paris: Dionysius Lescuier [excudebat P. Vidouaeus, 1538] [bound with:] De originibus seu de Hebraicae linguae et gentis antiquitate déque variarum linguarum affinitate. Paris: Dionysius Lescuier [excudebat Petrus Vidouaeus, 27 March 1538].
2 works in one volume, 4° (216 x 142mm). Title to the first work in red and black. Large woodcut historiated initials. (Title to first work lightly soiled and with repair at upper corner, E4 cropped at bottom margin affecting final line, H2 misregistered as G, second work with pencil scoring towards end, occasional minor soiling.) 18th-century speckled calf, marbled endpapers (upper cover detached, spine lifting at head). Provenance: Werner Helmich (early signature on title).
FIRST EDITION of both works, frequently bound together, and the earliest to be published by Postel who was appointed professor of mathematics and oriental languages at the Collége Royal a year later. Prior to their publication, he had accompanied La Forest on an embassy to Constantinople, bringing back many rare manuscripts in Arabic and Syriac. In the 'Introduction to the alphabetic character of twelve different languages', Postel became the first scholar to recognise the inscriptions on Judean coins from the period of the Great Jewish Revolt as Hebrew written in the ancient 'Samaritan' characters. His work on the Hebrew language and people was the first of a series in Latin, French and Hebrew on the affairs of the Middle East, and together these two early works show a prodigious if ultimately unfulfilled talent. Adams P-2029 & P-2021; BL STC French pp. 364 & 363; Brunet IV, 837.
2 works in one volume, 4° (216 x 142mm). Title to the first work in red and black. Large woodcut historiated initials. (Title to first work lightly soiled and with repair at upper corner, E4 cropped at bottom margin affecting final line, H2 misregistered as G, second work with pencil scoring towards end, occasional minor soiling.) 18th-century speckled calf, marbled endpapers (upper cover detached, spine lifting at head). Provenance: Werner Helmich (early signature on title).
FIRST EDITION of both works, frequently bound together, and the earliest to be published by Postel who was appointed professor of mathematics and oriental languages at the Collége Royal a year later. Prior to their publication, he had accompanied La Forest on an embassy to Constantinople, bringing back many rare manuscripts in Arabic and Syriac. In the 'Introduction to the alphabetic character of twelve different languages', Postel became the first scholar to recognise the inscriptions on Judean coins from the period of the Great Jewish Revolt as Hebrew written in the ancient 'Samaritan' characters. His work on the Hebrew language and people was the first of a series in Latin, French and Hebrew on the affairs of the Middle East, and together these two early works show a prodigious if ultimately unfulfilled talent. Adams P-2029 & P-2021; BL STC French pp. 364 & 363; Brunet IV, 837.
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