Bidspirit auction | Torah Neviim Ketuvim. Amsterdam [1671-1677]

Torah Neviim Ketuvim. Amsterdam [1671-1677] - The first Bible that was printed in Yiddish - fine, impressive copy in an original binding.  ”Chamisha Chumshei Torah Belashon Ashkenaz” - Torah Neviim Ketuvim (Tanach - Bible) in Hebrew-Teitch (Yiddish), ”copied and elucidated” by Yekutiel ben Yitzchak Blitz, with To'aliyot HaRalbag by Rabbeinu Levi ben Gershon (Ralbag) on the Torah and Neviim Rishonim.  Five separate title page: for Torah, Megillot, Neviim Rishonim, Neviim Acharonim and Ketuvim. With an additional illustrated, preceding title page.  Approbations by the rabbis of Vaad Arba Aratzot (The Council of Four Lands), the rabbis of the Sephardic and Ashkenazic communities of Amsterdam - 1671-1677.  At the beginning of the book, leaves with ”Haskamah un Privilegium” - special permission granted by the King of Poland for this edition, in Yiddish and Latin.  Ownership notations at the beginning of the book: ”נתן בן כ”ר מאיר האדמיר ממיץ א”ס תפ”ז לפק”. Different dates appear on the title page: 1676, 1678 and 1679. The approbations are from the years 1671-1677.  The 70s in Amsterdam witnessed the simultaneous printing of two Yiddish translations of the Bible:  This edition and another one, published by Yosef Atias and translated by Yosef Weitzenhausen (Yosef ben Alexander). This ”race” to be the first to print the first Yiddish translation of the Bible led to a dispute between the two printers, each accusing the other of encroachment and forgery of the Rav's approbation. The legal cost of the dispute resulted in the economic collapse of both printeries.  About the dispute and the printers involved, see A.M. Haberman, Prakim Betoldot Hamadpisim HaIvriyim, pp. 300-310. The Press of Uri Phoebus HaLevi. Amsterdam [1676-1679].  [7], 63, [1], 64-138, 140-249, [1], 18 leaves. 32 cm. Elegant copy.  Fine, impressive copy in an original binding with gilt embossments.