Rare: Sefer Tehillim – Psalterium Hebraeum – Menasseh ben Yisrael Press, Amsterdam 1644.

Rare: Sefer Tehillim – Psalterium Hebraeum – Menasseh ben Yisrael Press, Amsterdam 1644.

A complete copy of a miniature edition of Sefer Tehillim, Amsterdam 1644. Printed at the famed printing house of Menasseh ben Yisrael, who was particularly well-known for his exacting printing standards, both in terms of quality and accuracy. In his preface to the Tanach which he printed a few years prior, he exclaims that although our sages teach that one may not take pleasure in his friend’s downfall, nonetheless the beauty of his edition in contrast to others, is evident and self-explanatory. He estimates more than 300 textual corrections were made, making it one of the most textually accurate Bibles ever printed to date. As such, a Tehillim edited by Menassah ben Israel is all the more so important, since the text is without doubt the most accurate and totally free of errors. 

This edition, although edited by Menasseh ben Yisrael, was actually published by his youngest son Yosef ben Yisroel. Yosef preceded his father’s death, and tragically died at the age of 20 in 1650 while on a business trip in Poland. 

Menasseh ben Yisrael’s press is perhaps the only Jewish-owned printing press which is known for its outstanding and exacting standards with regard to print quality and text accuracy.

An Extremely rare edition; without doubt the most rare of all three editions issued by Menasseh ben Israel. Unrecorded in Steinschneider. See also: Fuks (Amsterdam 178), who notes: “Steinschneider had not seen this edition and doubted its existence”. 

In very good-excellent condition. Title in Latin and Hebrew with architectural woodcut arch; trimmed, as in all copies. Previous ownership inscriptions and markings seen on title page. Bound in contemporary 18th century dutch binding; gilted florets on spine, with attractive raised bands. Printed on thick, high-quality paper, with Nikkud. 

131 pp. 

Approx 10.5x7.5cm. 

Vinograd, Amsterdam 111.