Bidspirit auction | Former Prophets, Latter Prophets, and

Former Prophets, Latter Prophets, and Writings – Venice, 1739–1741 – With Italian Glosses and Original Engraved Plates - Nevi’im Rishonim, Nevi’im Acharonim, and Ketuvim. With explanations of difficult and foreign words printed in the margins in Italian. Venice, 1739–1741. A handsome and impressive edition of the Prophets and Writings, printed for the Jewish communities of Italy. Alongside the biblical text, explanatory glosses and translations of difficult words were printed in Italian in the page margins, intended to facilitate comprehension of Scripture and make the study of Tanakh more accessible to a broader readership. The volume is particularly distinguished by its elegant design. The entire text, including the Italian glosses, is printed within an attractive typographical border characteristic of the finest Venetian Hebrew editions of the eighteenth century. At the beginning of each section appears an impressive engraved plate, signed in the plate by the artist Griselini. The section of the Former Prophets is preceded by an engraving depicting Joshua, Samuel, and King David; the Latter Prophets by Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel; and the Writings by an engraving of King David. These engraved plates are absent from some surviving copies, and their presence here adds significantly to the desirability and importance of the set. At the end of the volume appears an eighty-year calendar, covering the years 1741 through 1820. Contents: Former Prophets: [1], 108 leaves. Latter Prophets: [2], 130–228, 209–223 leaves. Writings: [2], 225–348 leaves. One volume. 24.5 cm. Condition: Very good. Original leather binding.