''Editio princeps of the Gospels in Arabic'' (Darlow/M.)

[Biblia arabica - NT]. Evangelium Sanctum Domini nostri Iesu Christi conscriptum a quatuor Evangelistis sanctis, id est Matthaeo, Marco, Luca et Iohanne.

€ 18.000,00

Rare first edition of the Gospels in Arabic; the first work to be issued from the Medicean Press, directed by G. B. Raimondi. Printed in Granjon's famous large fount, generally considered the first satisfactory Arabic printing type and appears here for the first time. Apart from the Latin title and colophon, the book is in Arabic throughout. Also in 1591 an Arabic-Latin edition was issued, more common than the present one and reprinted in 1619 and 1774. Illustrated with 149 large woodcuts from 67 blocks by Leonardo Parasole after Antonio Tempesta.

Some browning and waterstaining throughout; a few marginal tears. Untrimmed in the original temporary wrappers as issued. The Hauck copy commanded $75,000 at Sotheby's in 2006.