The Kennicott Bible. Elaborate facsimile published by Facsimile Editions. Including commentary volume. London, [1985]. Copy no. 155, of a limited edition of 500 copies (altogether 550 copies were printed, including 50 AP – Ad Personam copies, which are identical to the regular copies).

A facsimile of the Kennicott Bible, illuminated Spanish manuscript from 1476, named after Benjamin Kennicott (1718-1783), English churchman and Hebraist, who purchased it for the Radcliffe Library in England. The manuscript was commissioned by Don Solomon de Braga, about twenty years before the expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492. It was designed and written by Moshe ibn Zabara and illuminated by Yosef ibn Chaim, in a fashion inspired by Islamic art. The manuscript contains the complete Bible, with the Radak commentary and Sefer HaMichlol.

An exceptionally beautiful facsimile, which was published after five and a half years of preparation. Printed on thick paper of excellent quality, specially created to reproduce the appearance of the parchment upon which the original manuscript was written. The gilding was done by hand, by seven artists who worked continuously for four months. Bound in an ornamented leather binding.

Facsimile: [444] leaves. 30 cm. Gilt edges. Commentary volume: 97 pages. Good condition. Facsimile and commentary volume in fine slipcase. Stains and defects to slipcase (open tears to fabric coating on upper part of slipcase and minor tears to edges). Closing band of case lacking.