Bidspirit auction | Tanach  Antwerp, 1580 * Chamisha

Tanach  Antwerp, 1580 * Chamisha Chumshei Torah, Megillos, Neviim Rishonim, Neviim Achronim and Kesuvim, all bound together in a single volume. ”Printed with much care by Christophore Plantin.” Christophe Plantin was one of the leading and most distinguished printers of the 16th century. In his printing press in Antwerp (the birthplace of the famous printer Daniel Bomberg), he operated no less than 20 printing presses! His Hebrew lettering was of the highest quality, ”among the most beautiful ever produced” (from the introduction to the catalog of the Exhibition of Plantin Books). A handsome architectural title page appears at the beginning of the Chumashim, with additional partial title pages for Neviim and Kesuvim – four title pages in total. The verses are vocalized and with cantillation marks (ta'amim). Every fifth verse is marked by a letter at the side of the column, with each chapter starting a new count. The title page bears the date 1580, while the colophon on the final leaf reads: “Printed by and in the house of Christophore Plantin in the year 1582.” Antwerp, 1580-1582. Page Count: 506, [1] leaves. Size: Approx. 22 cm. Condition: Good. Clean paper, minor tears and repairs at the edge of the title page. Minor restorations on the final leaves. Partially restored old binding (slightly damaged). Bibliography: Catalog From the Printing Press of Plantin in Antwerp, Jerusalem 1981, p. 89, no. 8.