Bible in Yiddish, Amsterdam: Uri Feivush ha-Levi, 1678

Folio (12 1/8 x 7 5/8 in.; 308 x 192 mm). collation: ()^{6, 1-644, 652, 30-334, 342=282 leaves, five woodcut architectural title borders, woodcut head- and tail-piece, typographic ornaments; title strengthened with stub at gutter margin, mostly marginal soiling and spotting, a few quires browned. Contemporary vellum; soiled and stained, tears in backstrip, corners and edges.}

Rabbi Jacob Emden

Folio (12 1/8 x 7 5/8 in.; 308 x 192 mm). ()6, 1-644, 652, 30-334, 342=282 leaves, five woodcut architectural title borders, woodcut head- and tail-piece, typographic ornaments; title strengthened with stub at gutter margin, mostly marginal soiling and spotting, a few quires browned. Contemporary vellum; soiled and stained, tears in backstrip, corners and edges.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The copy of Rabbi Jacob Emden

Jacob Emden (1697–1776) was one of the outstanding scholars of his generation. The son of Zevi Hirsch Ashkenazi (Hakham Zevi), he is perhaps best remembered for his famous controversy with Jonathan Eybeschuetz which divided European Jewry, particularly rabbinic circles, into two camps. His well-known familiarity with languages, (German, Dutch, Latin) is further demonstrated by the inclusion in his library of the Yiddish Bible translation offered here.

Jacob Emden recorded his purchase in the month of Heshvan 5533 of this volume in both Hebrew and Latin characters above the Royal copywright on the second page. The Hebrew text reads: I purchased [this book] for two and a half zehuvim on the nineteenth day of Heshvan [5]533. Alongside is the secular date written in Latin characters: No[vember] 15 Jahr 1772.

This copy also includes an additional folio after 249[257] with the corrector's colophon and a list of haftarot. This leaf, dated 1682, was published with the reissue of the edition in that year and was bound in here.

For full information concerning the publication history of this important work, see lot 189.