Bible, Hebrew.- The Old Testament, 4 vol. in 8, rare complete set of Plantins first Hebrew Bible, …

Bible, Hebrew.- [The Old Testament], 4 vol. in 8, collation: I: [pi]1, I-648, I-88 (with blanks 398 & 648); II: I-568 (with blank 568); III: I-608 (with blanks 605-8); IV: I-308, 314, 32-658 (with blanks I86-8, and 654-7, but lacking final blank 658), four titles within woodcut architectural borders, woodcut cartouches, 1 title strengthened with tape at inner gutter, vol. IV small printing flaw to 341r and small tear to 623, just touching headline, occasional spotting or light staining, lightly browned, 1 vol. text block neatly split in two, 17th century blind-stamped calf, later small labels (or remains of) to spines, a few covers detached, worn, but serviceable, 16mo (c.111 x 75mm.), Antwerp, Christopher Plantin, 1566. ⁂ A rare appearance at auction of a complete set of Plantin's first Hebrew Bible. The type was cast after the matrices of Daniel van Bomberghen, obtained by his nephew Cornelius van Bomberghen, who was Plantin's business partner. The 4to, 8vo, and 16mo editions were all printed in the same year. The text is based on Bomberg's second Rabbinic Bible, printed in Venice in 1524-25. The set is composed of the Pentateuch (Chamisha Chumshei Torah), the Writings (Ketuvim), Earlier Prophets, and Later Prophets. Literature: Adams B1229; Darlow & Moule 5099 (note).