Bidspirit auction | Chamishah Chumshei Torah Magnificent Original

Chamishah Chumshei Torah Magnificent Original Artistic Binding Antwerp, 1566 * This copy of the Chamishah Chumshei Torah and Five Megillos with punctuation and cantillation marks, was printed in the famous typeface of Daniel Bomberg - acclaimed Venetian printer. It was printed by the prominent Christophe Plantin of Antwerp - himself one of the leading printers of the sixteenth century. Plantin obtained the types from Bomberg’s nephew, who collaborated with him. The title page states that the printing was done ”by order of the noble Bombergi, ” referring to the grandson of the great printer Daniel Bomberg. (See Habermann, The Printer Daniel Bomberg, introduction p. 21). Notably, Antwerp is the birthplace of Daniel Bomberg. This is quite possibly the first Hebrew sefer ever printed in Antwerp! (See further below for elaboration.) The printing quality is of the highest caliber - featuring Bomberg’s prestigious letterforms, rich ink, and fine-quality paper. Although 460 years have passed since this sefer was printed, it has been preserved in excellent condition! The sefer was bound in a magnificent antique leather binding, with delicate gilt embossing on the boards of the binding and on the spine. (Light restorations to spine and corners). Gilded page edges. Anvers (Antwerp), 1566. Page Count: 148 leaves (leaf 132 is intentionally blank). Size: 21 cm. Condition: Good - with two tiny holes on the title page and a few stains. Aside from that – this is an exceptional copy! This is quite likely the first Hebrew sefer ever printed in Antwerp! Beginning in 1564, Plantin simultaneously undertook the printing of three editions of the Tanach in varying sizes - medium (as here), small, and miniature - all of which were completed by 1566. He first printed the medium format. Then, reusing the exact sequence of typographic plates, he adjusted only the pagination layout to print the small format edition, and later did the same for the miniature edition. (From the Printing House of Plantin in Antwerp, p. 30). The present Chumash is exactly the same as the one printed at the beginning of the Tanach – except for the fact that it was printed in double quantity. Half was distributed as a standalone volume of the Chamishah Chumshei Torah and Megillos (like this one, ) while the other half was bound at the beginning of the Tanachs. (Winograd lists this sefer as No. 7 among Antwerp Hebrew imprints. Of the six prior entries, three are Latin books, two are of doubtful existence, and the sixth is a small-format Tanach - which, as shown above, was printed after the medium format edition.)