Obj. ID: 38694
Jewish printed books Tanach, Vienna, 1743
This text was prepared by William Gross:
Bible, with translation to Latin. Vienna: Joannis Ignatii Heyinger & Typographi Univesitatis, 1743-1747. In 4 Volumes in Hebrew and Latin. This Breishit only. Each volume opens with an engraved plate. Each book opens with a small engraving. Two translations into Latin: a literal translation printed above each Hebrew word, and a Vulgate translation printed following each chapter. · First part: Torah. 1743. [2], 830 pp. ·
Hebrew printing in Vienna was really initiated as a regular activity only towards the end of the 18th century. For much of that century very few Jews were allowed to live in the city. Only when the numbers grew, rather late in that period, did a Hebrew press begin to operate there. But this single volume of the five books of Moses was printed in both Hebrew and Latin at a Christian press more than 40 years earlier. As such it represents the very first Hebrew book published in this important city. The title page is with both Hebrew and Latin and the engraved frontispiece has a very Christian interpretation of Moses with the cherubim and the representation of god by the use of his Hebrew name inside a masonic symbol. There are also small illustrations at the beginning of each of the five books of Moses. These decorated letters are reminiscent of the decorated initial letters of illuminated manuscripts.
838 pp.