Sacra Bibbia di Vence : prima edizione italiana - opera dedicata a S. M. I. R. A. Francesco 1. Atlante contenente le carte geografiche ed iconografiche relative al testo ed alle dissertazioni
Milano: Fortunato Stella e Figli, 1833. First Italian edition. Hardcover. Oblong folio (12 6/8 x 18 1/2"). [1] leaf (Title), 38 leaves (Plates), [1] leaf (List of content). Original half morocco over burgundy paper covered boards. Gold lettering and tooling on spine. Rare first Italian edition of Paul-Louis-Bernard Drach's atlas volume of his "Sainte Bible de Vence," a series which was originally published in 27 volumes in Paris from 1827 to 1833. The striking 38 engraved plates featured in this atlas are composed of 13 maps by A. R. Fremin and 25 engravings signed by Falkeisen, Angelini and Lanzani. The engraved plates have been laid down on beautiful hand-made paper, and describe the following: 1. Map of the place of Eden (Mesopotamy and Persian Gulf); 2. Noah's Arch construction; 3. Noah's Arch; 4. Map of the land divided among Noah's sons; 5. The Babel Tower; 6. Map of the Land of Canaan; 7. Map of Jews' Pilgrimage; 8. The Jerusalem Sahnedrin; 9. The Temple of Jerusalem (plans and sections); 10. The Temple of Jerusalem (square plan); 11. Map of ancient Jerusalem; 12. The Temple of Salomon; 13. The Temple's foundations; 14. The East Gate; 15. The Buildings of the Temple; 16. Musical Instruments of the Jews; 17. Hebrew Alphabet; 18. Jew's Vestments and worship's objects; 19. Two Menorah; 20. High Priest's vestments and Golden Menorah; 21. Moses' Tabernacle; 22. The Loaves of Proposition; 23. Plan and section of the Tabernacle; 24. The encampment of the Israelites; 25. Map of the Holy Land (South); 26. Map of the Holy Land (North); 27. Map of Syria; 28.Map of Israel under Salomon; 29. Plan of the House of the Forest of Lebanon; 30. The House of the Forest of Lebanon; 31. The Bronze Sea; 32. The Washings; 33. The Altars of the Holocausts; 34. Map of the Persian Empire; 35. Map of the Land of Canaan according to Ezechiel; 36. Map of Herod's Reign; 37. Zachary's Vision; 38. Map of the travels of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. The plates measure appr. 12 1/2 x 18 1/4" (image size appr. : 9 1/2 x 14 6/8"). Binding rubbed on covers and along edges. Head and tail of spine chipped. Previous owner's Ex-libris (Calvin Bullock) on inside of front cover. Minor and sporadic foxing along paper margin (not affecting plates). Title and captions in Italian. Binding in overall fair, interior in very good, plates in near fine to fine condition. f to vg. Item #18856
About the author: "David Paul Drach (aka Paul-Louis-Bernard Drach after his conversion) (1791-1865), was a Catholic convert from Judaism, and librarian of the College of Propaganda in Rome. Drach received his early education from his father, who was a rabbi. After spending some time in various Talmudic schools, he became a teacher at Rappoltsweiler, though only sixteen years of age. The love of the secular sciences brought him to Paris, where he was welcomed by his coreligionists, and became tutor in a wealthy Jewish family. His reputation as a teacher brought him Christian pupils; and this may have had some influence on his subsequent conversion; in fact, he had always manifested some leaning toward Christianity. Drach had already begun the study of Greek and Latin so as to become acquainted with the Christian doctrines in their original sources. Struck by the accusation of some of the Fathers that the Jews had corrupted the Hebrew text, he began a comparative study of the Hebrew and the Septuagint, which study he continued in spite of the remonstrances of the president of the Central Consistory. Drach was received into the Catholic faith in 1823, together with his two daughters and his son Paul, who afterward became a priest and a distinguished Biblical scholar. In 1827 Drach accepted the position of librarian of the Propaganda in Rome, which position he held until the year of his death." (From the Jewish Encyclopedia).
Price: $2,000.00