8 volumes. Text in Hebrew, Latin, Greek, Syriac and Aramaic. Vol. I with copper-engraved title, on verso of which is the pictorial dedication-page, followed by the engraved frontispiece; Vol. IV with engraved frontispiece of the Temple (“Domus Israel”); Vol. V with frontispiece of Christ being baptized. (folio) approx. 45x30 cm. (17¾x11¾"), Vols. I-V & VIII in uniform full calf with gilt-stamped armorial emblem on both covers; Vol. VI in full limp vellum; Vol. VII in full paneled calf.
Complete set of Christopher Plantin's massive polyglot Bible, including the supplements, one of the greatest of all polyglots and considered his most famous project. David Berkowitz, In Remembrance of Creation, states: "The editorial work is painstaking; the typography, format, and execution are at the highest level of Plantin excellence. Beautiful and costly, the edition was not large, it being estimated that between 500 to 920 copies were printed. But many copies were lost at sea on the way to Spain; and the Antwerp Polyglot has ever since been a collector's rarity." The first five volumes contain the complete text of the Old and New Testament, and the final three volumes are supplemental critical/scholarly apparatus, and are rarely found. The titles of the supplemental volumes are: Vol. VI - Commvnes et familiares Hebraicae lingvae idiotismi, omnibvs Bibliorvm interpretationibvs. Vol. VII - Hebraicorum Bibliorum [with] Novum Testamentum Graece. Vol. VIII – Lexicon Græcum, et Institutiones Lincuæ Græcæ, Ad Sacri Apparatus intructionem. The collation of the supplemental volumes is known to vary from copy to copy. Sold as is, and not subject to return.
Condition:
Covers worn, Vols. I-IV and VIII joints cracked, a few covers detached, Vols. V and VII rebacked, most with cloth or leather reinforcements/repairs to cover edges; Vols. I, II and IV with damp and mildew staining to lower portions of earlier leaves diminishing to the lower margins later on; Vol. III with top margins dampstained; Vol. VIII contents dampstained, some worming to earlier leaves, tear and hole in title. Vol. II half title & title-page missing. A few library markings. Overall a good set, very rare complete.