Hebrew Bibile, in Two Volumes with the Commentary of Rabbi David Kimhi on the Minor Prophets, Paris: Robert Estienne and Charles Estienne, 1539-1543 and 1555-1556

2 volumes, 4to (9 3/4 x 6½ in.; 248 x 165 mm). Woodcut printer's device on 26 titles, ruled throughout; worming in upper margin of first and last few quires of vol. 1, occasional spotting, worm track in fore-margin of last few quires of vol. 2 occasionally touching a sidenote. Contemporary blindruled calf, gilt-stamped arabesque medallion in center of covers with gilt floral stamp at four corners; rebacked, rubbed with a few minor mends.



Contents: Vol. 1: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy; Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles; Vol. 2: Daniel, Ezra and Nehemiah, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Minor Prophets. Eleven of the thirteen parts are from the first (1539-1544) edition, the Pentateuch and Five Scrolls are from the second quarto Hebrew bible printed by Charles Estienne and are dated 1556 and 1555 respectively.

 Jean Dumas (16c ms. exlibris on front endpaper) – Discalced Carmelites, Convent of Ste. Marie de Salut, Chartron - Franz Seignac-Beck (modern stamp on first title)

Elizabeth Armstrong,  Robert Estienne - Royal Printer - An Historical Study of the Elder Stephanus, Cambridge: 1954; Renouard 54, no. 43/ 440, no.1/ 409, no.1; Steinschneider 99, 99a; Vinograd, Paris 16, 31

2 volumes, 4to (9 3/4 x 6 1/2 in.; 248 x 165 mm). [1544 Robert Estienne:] [1556 Charles Estienne:] General title, blank leaf, Woodcut printer's device on 26 titles, ruled throughout; worming in upper margin of first and last few quires of vol. 1, occasional spotting, worm track in fore-margin of last few quires of vol. 2 occasionally touching a sidenote. Contemporary blindruled calf, gilt-stamped arabesque medallion in center of covers with gilt floral stamp at four corners; rebacked, rubbed with a few minor mends. Contents: Vol. 1: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy; Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles; Vol. 2: Daniel, Ezra and Nehemiah, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Songs, Ruth, Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Minor Prophets. Eleven of the thirteen parts are from the first (1539-1544) edition, the Pentateuch and Five Scrolls are from the second quarto Hebrew bible printed by Charles Estienne and dated 1556, 1555.
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This deluxe complete edition of the Hebrew Bible was printed by Robert Estienne (also called Stephanus), of the famous family of French printers. It was issued in 13 parts, each available separately, over a period of five years between 1539-1544. One of two separate editions of the Hebrew Bible printed by Stephanus, this wide-margined quarto, is printed with several different Hebrew fonts, and clearly demonstrates the commitment of Robert Estienne to the production of beautiful Hebrew books. After finding the existing Hebrew type available to him in Paris unacceptable, Estienne had new typefaces cut for the quarto Bible by Jean Arnould, considered one of  the most skilled typecutters of the age. One of the first sections published in 1539 (Twelve Minor Prophets) includes the comprehensive commentary of Rabbi David Kimhi.