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2 vols. Introduction by Bezalel Narkiss and Aliza Cohen-Mushlin. Profusely illustrated throughout from the original illuminated pages of the Kennicott Bible. The Bible measures: 11½x9; introduction text volume is: 12¼x10, both full calf, decoratively embossed, housed together in a blue cloth clamshell box, interior lined with blue velvet. No. 58 of 500 hand-numbered copies. Facsimile Edition.

A masterpiece and one of the most beautiful illuminated Hebrew manuscript bibles in existence, in a handsome binding and with exquisite facsimile reproduction illustrations from the original illuminated pages. The original bible, together with Rabbi David Kimchi's grammatical treatise, was copied by the scribe Moses Ibn Zabrara in 1476 at the commission of Isaac, the son of Don Solomon di Braga of La Coruña in northwestern Spain. Executed almost twenty years before the final expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492, this manuscript shows what great importance the Jewish communities attached to the perpetuation of their heritage by investing in the production of an accurate and beautifully adorned Bible. The Kennicott bible is named after Benjamin Kennicott, the English Christian Hebraist (1718-1783) of Oxford, whose pioneering work was published in his "Dissertatio Generalist." Even as a facsimile, this is an extremely important specimen of Jewish art, and includes many carpet pages, decorated arches, and biblical miniatures, all of which are wonderful examples of Jewish art in Spain of that period. Signed by the publisher on a loosely laid in limitation leaf (as issued). Produced by the Italian master printer Luigi Canton, in a nearly perfect reproduction of the intricate gold and silver colors throughout the hundreds of pages. Includes a typed letter signed by David Patterson of Oxford Centre for Postgraduate Hebrew Studies; two illuminated facsimile leaves with gilt coloring; the prospectus; opening instructions; publisher's gift certificate; order forms and other related and issued loose paper items, all inside the publisher's booklet will other illustrations.