First edition of the Pentateuch in Arabic

[Biblia arabica - VT - Pentateuch]. Erpenius, Thomas (ed.). Turat Musa al-Nabi alayhi al-salam id est Pentateuchus Mosis Arabicè.

Leiden, Thomas Erpenius for Johannes Maire, 1622.

4to. (16), 458, (2) pp. With the title in a woodcut architectural frame. Contemporary vellum.

 14,000.00

"First printing of the Pentateuch in Arabic characters" (Smitskamp). Edited by Thomas Erpenius and printed with his influential nashk Arabic types, cut under his direction by Arent Corsz. Hogenacker in Leiden. It gives the text of a 13th-century translation of the Pentateuch in the Maghreb dialect (spoken in Mauritania). Erpenius was one of the most distinguished orientalists and by far the best Arabist of his day. He published an influential Arabic grammar and several excellent critical editions. His own private printing office, equipped with Hebrew, Arabic, Syriac, Ethiopic and Turkish type, produced its first works as early as 1615.

With bookplate, owner's inscription and library stamp of Verplanck Colvin (1847-1920). Occasional spots, some leaves with a minor waterstain in the upper or lower margin, nor affecting the text. A good copy, with generous margins. Binding slightly soiled and with a restoration to the front inner hinge, but otherwise good.

References

Breugelmans 1622-2. Darlow/Moule 1645. Smitskamp, PO 86.

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