Octavo. [6], 10, 778pp. Pointed Hebrew text in two columns (the New Testament with only vocal marks). Continuous pagination in Arabic numerals; but separate Hebrew pagination for the Old and New Testaments. Contemporary three-quarter calf over pebbled cloth boards; spine with raised bands, ruled and lettered in gilt. Decorative endleaves. Covers rubbed with wear at spine caps and corners. Library pressure stamp at title, bookplate and pocket at paste-downs. A good ex-library copy with very clean, fresh text throughout. First American edition of this Hebrew Bible, earlier published by Samuel Bagster at London in 1835; it contains the first printing of the New Testament in Hebrew translation to appear in the United States. That translation was prepared by the philologist William Greenfield (1799-1831), the editorial superintendent of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and first published by Samuel Bagster at London in 1831 (D&M no. 5186). In preparing his revised Hebrew version Greenfield was allowed to utilise the London Jews' Society Hebrew New Testament, published at London between 1813 and 1817 (D&M no. 5170). Among the earliest publications of the society founded in 1809, this version was itself based upon Elias Hutter's Hebrew translation of the New Testament published at Nuremberg in 1599 (D&M no. 5111). Prepared by a group of scholars under the supervision of Thomas Fry and William Bengo Collyer, this London Jews Society edition employed only biblical words, and translated Old Testament quotations from the Greek, not citing them directly from the Hebrew Scriptures. The editor of the New Testament version in the present work appears to have had a notable gift for languages. William Greenfield began his Hebrew studies as a young man while apprenticed to a bookbinder, taking lessons from one of his co-workers, a Jew with some learning, who had been described as "a reader of the law in the synagogue" (ODNB). Greenfield subsequently left the business in 1824 in order to devote himself to languages and biblical criticism. His defence of the Serampore Mahratta version of the New Testament in response to an 1829 article in the Asiatic Journal brought him to the attention of the British and Foreign Bible Society who then hired him to superintend their editiorial department. "During his nineteen months in the society's service Greenfield wrote on twelve European, five Asiatic, one African, and three American languages, and acquired considerable knowledge of Peruvian, African-English, Chippeway, and Berber" (ODNB). His revision of the Hebrew New Testament earlier published by the London Jews' Society was among the last works he undertook for the British and Foreign Bible Society, along with the revision of the Modern Greek Psalter as it went through the press. Provenance: Bookplate (and other markings, including withdrawal stamp) of the Library of the Garrett Theological Seminary, Evanston, Illinois. Full title in Hebrew: ??? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ????? ???? ????? ????? ?? ???? ????? Philadelphiae: Sumptibus Bagster et Marshall, in via vulgo dicta Chestnut Street, ad Repositorium Bibliorum Sacrorum, etc. quae in linguis antiquis et hodiernis edita sunt. Anno erae Judaicae, I [rev. C; rev. C] DXCIX. References: Goldman, Hebrew Printing in America, no. 6: "This was the first New Testament published in Hebrew in America." ODNB: "Greenfield, William" (Gordon Goodwin, revised by H. C. G. Matthew). J. R. Marcus, "Jewish Americana, a Supplement to A. S. W. Rosenbach An American Jewish Bibliography" [in:] Monographs of the American Jewish Archives (1954, no. 1), no. 164. Cf. Darlow & Moule nos. 5111; 5170; 5186.

Seller Inventory # 52150

Contact seller

Report this item

Bibliographic Details

Title

Sefer ha-Kodesh ve-hu Torah Ne-vi'im Ketuvim gam Kitve Berit ha-Hadashah (The Holy Scriptures, that is Torah, Prophets, and Writings, Along with the New Testament) [FIRST HEBREW VERSION OF THE NEW TESTAMENT PUBLISHED IN THE UNITED STATES]

Publisher

Bagster & Marshall, Philadelphia

Publication Date

1839

Binding

Hardcover

Edition

First American edition.

Condition

Good +

Seller catalogs

Bible

Store Description

Since 1985 we offer individual books for sale from our inventory of 150,000 rare, out-of-print and antiquarian volumes on many topics, with an emphasis on Judaica, Hebraica, Bibles and rabbinics, the fine and decorative arts, architecture, photography, textile and wallpaper sample books, Bauhaus and the avant garde, expressionist dance, Olympic Games and sport, the ancient near-east and archeology, erotica, illustrated and foreign-language books, especially German, Yiddish, Polish and Hebrew, as well as books from the Weimar Republic and the Third Reich, plus Russian constructivist materials. We create book collections, both large and small, for individuals, decorators, archives and libraries�currently available: a 10,000-volume research collection on Judaica in the German language. In addition, we maintain a beguiling selection of original works of art and photography. Eric Chaim Kline provides appraisal services for estate, insurance and tax purposes, often helping to match book donors with libraries and museums. We purchase books of merit and entire collections; we also take books on consignment with favorable terms. We are a rental source for movie and tv production, occasionally providing the prop on which the plot turns. Traveling throughout the U.S. and Europe, Eric Chaim Kline has been buying and selling old and rare books since the 1980�s, when in graduate school at Brandeis University. Proprietor of bookshops in several Los Angeles locations since 1985, he hosts visitors by appointment in our lively bookstore and ships books to collectors, libraries and museums worldwide. Kline occasionally lectures on topics in book collecting and Jewish studies. He sponsors the annual Bibliography Award granted by the Association of Jewish Libraries and serves on the national board of the Antiquarian Booksellers� Association of America. We welcome your inquiries.

Visit Seller's Storefront

Association Member

Members of these associations are committed to maintaining the highest standards. They vouch for the authenticity of all items offered for sale. They provide expert and detailed descriptions, disclose all significant defects and/or restorations, provide clear and accurate pricing, and operate with fairness and honesty during the purchase experience.

Seller's business information

ERIC CHAIM KLINE, BOOKSELLER (ABAA ILAB)
CA, U.S.A.

Sale & Shipping Terms

Terms of Sale

Visa, Mastercard, American Express, checks, money orders and bank transfers. Prepayment is required, however we extend billing to libraries and members of the trade. Books may be returned within 10 days if not as described.

Shipping Terms

Shipping fees are based on your location and desired time frame, and they vary according to the weight and size of your order. We calculate United States Postal Service fees online and then round the amount up to an even figure by one or two dollars to cover delivery confirmation and to help with the cost of packing materials. We also ship via Federal Express (Fed Ex) and USPS Express. We are happy to accommodate special shipping needs by request.

Within the United States:
USPS Media mail is typically $5 for a book of average weight. Priority mail varies, depending on whether USPS flat-rates are applicable and advantageous for the dimension, weight and distance.

International:
International First Class typically starts at $20. International Priority is typically $35 or less if under four pounds weight, and starts at $40 if over four pounds. International Express is a faster and more expensive option.

Federal Express:
All Fed Ex shipping options are available, using your account or ours.

Payment Methods

Check Money Order Bank/Wire Transfer

Add to Wants