Illustrated work on life, customs and fashion of Jewish women, 1809-10

Beschreibung

Anton Theodor HARTMANN: Die Hebräerin am Putztische und als Braut [The Hebrew Woman at the Dressing Table and As a Bride]. 3 vol. With 9 copper engraved plates. (= Uebersicht der wichtigsten Erfindungen in dem Reiche der Moden bei den Hebräerinnen von den Anfängen bis zur üppigsten Pracht [Overview of the Most Important Inventions Concerning Fashion Among Hebrew Women from the Beginnings to the Most Luxurious Splendor). Amsterdam: Kunst- und Industrie-Comptoir (Frommann und Wesselhöft, Jena) 1809 and 1810.

8vo. (vol. 1-2) and small-8vo. 1502 pages, 9 plates [I-XIII, incl. series title, title and 3 pages with dedications], XIV-XXXVI, [1], 2-466, [2, imprint] pages, plate 1 and 9; [4 (series title, title)], [1], 2-538, [2 (list of plates)], plates 2 to 8; [4 (series title, title)], [1-3], 4-448, [2 (errata)], [2 (imprint)]. Contemporary cased binding with marbled (covers) as well as blue (vol. 1-2) and turquoise (vol. 3) papers (spines) over cardboards.

Only edition of this important work on Jewish life and customs by German theologian and orientalist Anton Theodor Hartmann.

Contents: Written in belletristic style this account, printed on bright quality mould paper and profusely illustrated with nine bound-in copper engraved plates, contains an extensive overview of the most important developments in fabrics, metals, colours, spices, jewels and the use of these in the life of Hebrew women. Periods covered are from the earliest times of Hebrew history until the destruction of Jerusalem under Titus in the first century. (Thanks to Eric Chaim Kline, Santa Monica).

Vol. 1 and 2 of this copy (vol. 3 derives from another provenience) has the outstandingly rare condition of an early stage binding, as the leafs were bound-in partly uncut and therefore still have wide margins and fringes. The plates are bound-in at the end and vol. 2 also contains a page with „notes for the book-binder“.

Condition: Small ¼ part missing on bottom of title pages and pages 49/50 of vol. 1 and 2 as well as plates 8 and 9 (not affecting text of engravings), vol. 2 with some barely seeable water-staining on top edge, front leaf of vol. 3 with elimination stamps of a German library, covers at edges and corners in parts strongly worn and torn, otherwise fine copy on bright, well preserved paper without any foxing.

Rarity: Though according to OCLC not rare in German libraries, this edition was rarely offered indeed during the last 7 decades. According to APO only 4 auction entries are traceable, the last one 33 years ago (1950, 1965, 1974, 1984).