The Library of Roger Wagner - PBA Galleries

6. (Bible in Hebrew) [The Five Books of Moses]. Text in Hebrew. 15¼x10¼, full linen, slipcase.
Berlin: Soncino Gessell-schaft, 1929
Fine printing, considered the most beautiful Hebrew printing of the Pentateuch. Slipcase a little
sunned & soiled; vol. spine slightly sunned, else fine.
(1500/2500)
7. (Bible in Hebrew - Facsimile) * Facsimile of the Kennicott Bible. 2 volumes. Introduction by Bezalel
Narkiss and Aliza Cohen-Mushlin. Profusely illustrated throughout from the original illuminated
pages of the Kennicott Bible. The Bible measures: 11½x9; introduction text volume is: 12¼x10, both
full calf, decoratively embossed, housed together in a blue cloth clamshell box, interior lined with blue
velvet. No. 58 of 500 hand-numbered copies. Facsimile Edition.
London: Facsimile Editions / Bodleian Library of Oxford, 1985
A masterpiece and one of the most beautiful illuminated Hebrew manuscript bibles in existence,
in a handsome binding and with exquisite facsimile reproduction illustrations from the original
illuminated pages. The original bible, together with Rabbi David Kimchi’s grammatical treatise,
was copied by the scribe Moses Ibn Zabrara in 1476 at the commission of Isaac, the son of
Don Solomon di Braga of La Coruña in northwestern Spain. Executed almost twenty years
before the final expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492, this manuscript shows what great
importance the Jewish communities attached to the perpetuation of their heritage by investing
in the production of an accurate and beautifully adorned Bible. The Kennicott bible is named
after Benjamin Kennicott, the English Christian Hebraist (1718-1783) of Oxford, whose
pioneering work was published in his “Dissertatio Generalist.” Even as a facsimile, this is
an extremely important specimen of Jewish art, and includes many carpet pages, decorated
arches, and biblical miniatures, all of which are wonderful examples of Jewish art in Spain of
that period. Signed by the publisher on a loosely laid in limitation leaf (as issued). Produced by
the Italian master printer Luigi Canton, in a nearly perfect reproduction of the intricate gold
and silver colors throughout the hundreds of pages. Includes a typed letter signed by David
Patterson of Oxford Centre for Postgraduate Hebrew Studies; two illuminated facsimile leaves
with gilt coloring; the prospectus; opening instructions; publisher’s gift certificate; order forms
and other related and issued loose paper items, all inside the publisher’s booklet will other
illustrations. Slight fraying to box; else fine.
(3000/4000)
Lot 6 Lot 7
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