Beschreibung:

MÜNSTER, Sebastian (1489-1552). Dictionarium Hebraicum Adiectis Chaldaicis vocabulis non parum multis. [Basel:] Froben, June 1523.
MÜNSTER, Sebastian (1489-1552). Dictionarium Hebraicum Adiectis Chaldaicis vocabulis non parum multis. [Basel:] Froben, June 1523. 8 o (165 x 114 mm). Text in Hebrew and Latin. Woodcut printer's device on title and last page, woodcut initials. Contemporary London calf by John Reynes, front cover block shows the instruments of the Passion with unicorns as supporters and a scroll with the motto "Redemptoris Mundi arms" below, in the upper part are two small escutcheons, both with the letters IR (John Reynes cipher and trademark), the back cover panel is divided in two, the upper block shows the royal arms, the lower block the Tudor rose, surrounded by a Latin verse and supported by two angels, remnants of clasps, contemporary vellum tabs with Hebrew letters (lacking clasps, minor wear to joints); cloth folding case. Provenance : Walter Lynne (fl. 1550), printer and translator (signature on title); Thomas Blage (ca 1545-1611) dean of Rochester and author of A Schoole of wise conceytes (signature on title); acquired by Harry A. Levinson, 1971. FIRST EDITION of Münster's celebrated Hebrew dictionary which went through five editions in Münster's own lifetime. Although now better known for his landmark Cosmographiae Universalis, Münster was first renowned as a Hebraicist. On the strength of his important contributions as a mediator of Jewish learning to Christian scholars he was elected to the chair of Hebrew at Basel in 1527. When John Calvin came to Basel in 1534 he gave himself to the study of Hebrew under Münster's guidance. Adams M-1921; BMC/STC German p. 633; E.P. Goldschmidt Gothic and Renaissance Bookbindings 140.