Torah, Neviim and Ketuvim, in facing columns, Biblia en dos colunas, Hebrayco y Espanol, with Spanish translation, on facing columns. Amsterdam: Yosef, Yaakov and Avraham sons of Shlomo Proops, 1762. Entire Bible in one volume, in large format.
Title page at beginning of volume, and divisional title pages for Neviim Rishonim, Neviim Acharonim and Ketuvim. Some words on first title page printed in red ink.
First bilingual edition of the Bible in Hebrew and Spanish. Spanish Bible editions were relatively common since the Ferrera 1553 edition, but the present edition is the first to feature the Hebrew facing the Spanish translation.
At the beginning of the book, introduction by the printers, the Proops brothers, stating how the printing was funded by Abraham Mendes de Castro of Curaçao (Caribbean islands under Dutch rule). The need for Hebrew and Spanish Bibles for students was apparently the impetus to the present edition.
Curaçao was home to the oldest Jewish community in the Americas. Founded in 1691, it exerted significant influence over the local community. The island's synagogue is the oldest active synagogue in the Americas.
Torah: [5] leaves, 178, 178 columns. Neviim Rishonim: [1] leaf, 179-332, 179-332 columns, [1] leaf. [1] leaf with year-round haftarah chart and chart with Torah readings for festivals at end of this part instead of beginning of book. Neviim Acharonim: [1] leaf, 159, 159 columns. Ketuvim: [1] leaf, 161-350, 161-350 columns. Misordering of both sets of columns 197-200; both sets of columns 285-287 appear twice. 40.5 cm. Varying condition, most leaves in overall good condition, first leaves in fair to good-fair condition. Stains, including dampstains. Wear and creases, especially to first leaves. Tears and open tears (mainly to beginning of book), affecting text, repaired with paper. Original decorated wood and leather binding. Defects to binding (front side and first leaves detached from book).
Bookplate of Mozes Heiman Gans.
