The Book of Jasher: with Testimonies and Notes, Critical and Historical, Explanatory of the Text
Bristol: Printed for the editor, by Philip Rose, (1829). Hardcover. 4to. xi,[2],62,9pp. Gold lined three-quarter leather over marbled boards with gold lettering on spine. Rare edition of the Book of Jasher, sometimes called Pseudo-Jasher, to distinguish it from the Sefer ha Yashar. The title page of the book states: "The Book of Jasher: with Testimonies and Notes, Critical and Historical, Explanatory of the Text. To which is prefixed, various readings, and a preliminary dissertation, proving the authenticity of the work. Translated into English from the Hebrew by Flaccus Albinus Alcuinus, of Britain, Abbot of Canterbury, who went on a pilgrimage into the Holy Land, and Persia, where he discovered this volume, in the city of Gazna." The book claims to be written by Jasher, son of Caleb. Jasher covers biblical history from the creation down to Jasher's own day and was represented as being the Lost Book of Jasher mentioned in the Bible. The supposed translation was declared an obvious hoax by the Monthly Review and in 1756 the printer Jacob Ilive was sentenced to three years in jail. A photographic reproduction of this edition was published in 1924 by the Rosicrucian Order in San José, California who declared it was an inspired work. Marbled endpapers. Age wear and scuffing on binding. Head of spine chipped. Few finger smudges on some leaves. Tight copy with binding in good, interior in overall very good condition. g. Item #24163
Price: $650.00