Hamburg, 1587

HEBREW BIBLE – HUTTER, Elias (1553-1605). Via sancta...sive Biblia Sacra eleganti et maiuscula characterum forma. Hamburg: Elianis for Johannes Saxon, 1587.

Hutter’s Hebrew Bible—the earliest production of a Hebrew press in Hamburg, in an early Dutch binding. The type was ingeniously designed to help students learn to read and understand Hebrew grammar. The root letters are printed in thick type, and inflectional letters in hollow type; radical letters are added superscript. This copy with the added leaves in Xx and LLL, sometimes absent. Adams B1235; Darlow & Moule 5108.

Folio (379 x 247mm). Roman and Hebrew types. Three part titles with large woodcut borders; woodcut charts and chapter heading (Hebrew letter on title pounced, light even toning, occasional spots; marginal stain affecting edges of ends, small blank area on one page reinforced). Early Dutch stamped vellum (lacking ties, somewhat worn and stained, vellum splitting over spine).