Bidspirit auction | Biblia Hebraica – The Hebrew

Biblia Hebraica – The Hebrew Bible. London, 1812–1814. Two Magnificent Volumes in Original Gilt Bindings - A handsome and impressive edition of the Hebrew Bible, Biblia Hebraica, secundum ultimam editionem Jos. Athiae, edited by Johann Leusden. London, 1812–1814. The first volume opens with an elaborate engraved frontispiece, followed by an additional title page for the complete Bible. Separate decorative title pages were issued for the Former Prophets, Latter Prophets, and Writings. The text includes variant readings as well as a comprehensive table of Haftarot for the entire year according to the customs of various Jewish communities. A notable feature of this copy is the presence, at the beginning of the first volume, of a Latin dedication and preface signed by Johann Samuel Christian Frederick Frey (J. S. C. F. Frey) and dated November 1, 1814. These leaves are not present in all copies and are absent from the digitized copy held by the National Library. They are followed by a substantial 72-page introduction containing the editor’s preface and the approbations originally issued for the 1705 edition. At the end of the second volume appears a Hebrew lexicon compiled by Frey, extending over 41 pages and printed in the unusual left-to-right format. Collation: [3], LXXII pp.; 333, [22] leaves; [3], 352 leaves, [3] pp.; 41 pp. Size: 23.5 cm. A fine copy preserved in its two original gilt-decorated leather bindings. Condition: Very good. Ownership label. Minor wear and rubbing to the original leather bindings.